Chemistry students, Sanuja Mohanaraj and Monica Ohakwe, collaborated with Assistant Professor CJ Stephenson on the formation and study of interactions of rhodamine-based sensors.  The goal of their research, funded through a College of Humanities and Natural Sciences Bobet Fellowship, is to study how this class of dye-based sensors works by testing them with a range of compounds.  The work will provide important information about the type and strength of the forces involved in the interaction between the rhodamine-based sensor and the compound being detected.  Dr. Stephenson says that by quantifying these interactions, this work will improve the effectiveness of this important class of sensors.

Dr. Stephenson's students worked on the creation and testing of organic compounds that work as fluorescent sensors.  These fluorescent sensors can be used to study the internal processes of cells and have application to the study and treatment of cancer.