ben jefferis

ABOUT THE RESEARCHER:

1. Who are you doing research with this summer and what kind of research project are you doing?

I am performing research Dr. John Tomsho and Latifah Alhthlol. My research project consists of synthesizing compounds with boronic acids to treat those with HIV via organic chemistry means.

 2. What do you find fascinating in the research you’re doing?

What I find fascinating about my research is that there is not always a straight way to achieve desired products. Sometimes you must think outside of the box to see what processes work the best in achieving your expected results.

 3. What skills are you learning through the USURF experience?

I am advancing my laboratory skills by making my time with USURF a priority in more a full-time position rather than a few hours a week during the semester. Other skills learned with USURF have been reporting data differently and using various analyses to prove purification of desired products.

4. What are the challenges you’re encountering in your research?

Some of the challenges that I have encountered are problems with purification with a high yield. The by-products of the reactions are similar to our desired product that purification methods have proved challenging. The separation techniques produced minimal yield of the pure desired product but is enough yield to prove that the product was able to be purified.

5. How is your USURF experience impacting the way you view your field?

My USURF experience has shown that there is not one set way to achieve a final product and that little adjustments in the procedure can make a world of difference. The experience has also shown me that even if nothing works, keep trying and don’t give up. The field of chemistry is all about developing new compounds or methods, which are not easy to do, but we as scientists will find a way.

6. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I have been active in Boy Scouting as a Scout, where I was able to earn the Eagle Scout Award, and now I serve as an Adult Leader with the same Boy Scout Troop. A fun fact about myself is that I am big into gardening, and I work in my large garden at home for a good part of the spring/summer.