Tessa Middleton, a graduate student, began aiding in the chemistry research lab at Missouri State University last May.

Research specifics

Middleton is continuing a project started by a former chemistry graduate student.

The goal of her research is to make six different metal-based compounds that could be emissive in near-infrared region. Human tissues become transparent in this light, so it can be used for diagnostic purposes.

The study is led by Dr. Nikolay Gerasimchuk, professor of chemistry at MSU.

Past research

Gerasimchuk’s goal is to combine Middleton’s findings with others to continue learning about biological tissue.

“The main plan is to obtain and characterize these new compounds and study them in the laboratory prior to the testing of their in vitro activity,” Gerasimchuk said.

Best of luck to Middleton and the rest of the chemistry research team!