Cody Group Research

Using synthetic chemistry to design and build molecules for energy, imaging, and therapeutic applications.

The Cody Group uses synthetic organic chemistry to design molecules that interact with light, biological systems, and materials in useful and predictable ways. Our research combines molecular design, organic synthesis, photophysics, and collaborative biological studies to address challenges in energy conversion, molecular imaging, and cancer therapy.

A central theme of our work is understanding how molecular structure controls function. Small changes in a molecule’s architecture can dramatically alter how it absorbs light, transfers energy, enters cells, or interacts with biological targets. By understanding these relationships, we can design molecules with properties tailored for specific applications.

One area of research focuses on functional dyes, including cyanine, squaraine, and phenothiazinium systems. These molecules possess unique optical and electronic properties that make them valuable for applications ranging from organic photovoltaics to biological imaging. Our work has contributed to the development of new synthetic methods for preparing these dyes and to understanding how molecular organization influences exciton transport, charge transfer, and device performance in organic solar cells.

A growing focus of the laboratory is the development of targeted dye conjugates for cancer imaging and therapy. We are designing molecules that selectively accumulate in cancer cells through folate receptor targeting and then perform specialized functions once inside the cell. Some of these molecules act as fluorescent probes that allow surgeons to visualize tumors in real time, while others are designed to generate reactive oxygen species upon light activation or disrupt critical cellular processes within cancer cells. Our long-term goal is to develop integrated “theranostic” systems that combine diagnosis, imaging, and treatment within a single molecular platform.

By combining synthetic chemistry with mechanistic studies, we seek to understand why certain dye structures display remarkable selectivity and how these properties can be improved through rational molecular design.

Underlying all of these projects is a commitment to training student researchers. Undergraduate and graduate students participate in every stage of the research process, including molecular design, synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, data analysis, and scientific communication. Through these experiences, students learn how fundamental principles of organic chemistry can be applied to solve important problems at the interface of chemistry, biology, and materials science.

Our vision is simple: to create molecules whose behavior can be predicted, controlled, and ultimately used to improve technologies that impact human health and sustainability.