WHO ARE WE?
A dynamic group of students at the University of the West Indies dedicated to the advancement in research and development of Science and Technology. It is our objective:
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To promote awareness of chemistry as an academic discipline and a career option.
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To develop a well rounded chemistry student who is better equipped to handle life after university.
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To provide a unifying medium through which chemists can voice their opinions and beliefs and exchange ideas as well as creating an atmosphere of cooperation among chemistry students.
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To demonstrate the practical uses of chemistry worldwide through the organisation of lectures and seminars.
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To assist chemistry students in achieving the best academic degree through tips and ideas from lecturers and higher level chemistry students
The New Board of Executives for 2015/2016
PRESIDENT : Alicia Mohan
VICE PRESIDENT : Riaz Lourenco
SECRETARY : Savita Seecharan
TREASURER : Thalia Brittany Singh
PRO 1 : Evelyn Noyan
PRO 2: Tatyana Beharry Tatz Marie
PROJECTS MANAGER: Kellisa Beharry
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Natural Products Chemistry
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Isolation and structure elucidation of Natural Products from terrestrial plants and marine organisms including synthesis and bioactivity testing.
Interdisciplinary Chemistry
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Nanomaterials for catalysis applications (alkane oxidation. carbon-dioxide reduction, water splitting and biomass utilisation). green chemistry, materials science, porphyrin chemistry for industrial applications and advanced materials characterisation.
Organic Synthesis
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Novel glycosylation methods and their application in the synthesis of cell surface carbohydrates.
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Synthesis of chiral alcohols and peptides.
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Synthesis and synthetic modification of natural products for structure-activity studies.
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Synthesis of chiral compounds for use as chiral auxiliaries and chiral reagents.
Inorganic and Materials Chemistry
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Functionalized macrocycles for molecular recognition.
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Supramolecular assemblies.
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Synthesis and characterization of organmetallic supramolecules for catalysis, ion sensing and dye sensitized solar cells.
Environmental Chemistry
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Air quality monitoring and greenhouse gas inventoring
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Microbial degradation and fate of xenobiotics in aqueous and nonaqueous systems; endocrine disruptors in freshwater systems; biofuels
Inorganic Synthesis
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Synthesis and characterization of organmetallic supramolecules for catalysis, ion sensing and dye sensitized solar cells.
Inorganic Chemistry
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Materials Chemistry: Synthesis, solid state structural elucidation (NMR, IR, X-ray, microscopy) and thermotropic phase transition (DSC and temperature variation microscopy-optical and AFM) studies of Metal-containing Liquid Crystals.
Analytical Chemistry
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Mechanisms of food related toxins and assessment of exposure
Spectroscopy
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NMR studies of the kinetics of dynamic equilibria.
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NMR and NQR in detection and analysis of molecules of commercial / forensic interest.
Applied Physical Chemistry
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Use of batch and flow calorimetry to study novel kinetic processes (physical, chemical and biological).
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The chemistry of cement hydration.
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Thermal degradation of polymers using fluidised bed reactor.
Chemical Education Research
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Methodologies in teaching chemistry.
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Computers as a tool in the teaching of chemistry.
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Alternative concepts in chemistry.
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Utilization of e-learning techniques to improve student learning in chemistry.
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Teaching chemistry through applications in everyday life and through experimental work.
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Assessment techniques, especially those involving data-based assessment instruments and visio-spatial assessment.
