Join us this Friday for our CHEM 180H seminar presentations featuring two speakers:

First Speaker: Aaron Asparin, senior biochemistry major

• Date: Friday Oct. 13, 2023
• Time: 12:00 p.m – 12:50 p.m.
• Title: An Investigation of Effective Natural Supplements in Promoting Ethanol Soberness via Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies)

Second Speaker: Aaron Chhun, senior biochemistry major

• Date: Friday Oct. 13, 2023
• Time: 1:00 – 1:50 p.m.
• Title: History and Contemporary Application of the Mitsunobu Reaction

Location: Ag Mechanics, Room 102

Date: Friday, October 13, 2023

For additional details, please refer to the attached flyer. We look forward to your participation in these insightful presentations!

Abstracts

Click here to read the students’ abstracts.

Below find a summary of the abstracts

Aaron Asparin:
An Investigation of Effective Natural Supplements in Promoting Ethanol Soberness via Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies)

This research investigates the challenge of ethanol addiction and its associated withdrawal symptoms, which can be life-threatening.

It highlights the conventional use of barbiturates like phenobarbital as a solution despite their addictive nature and controlled substance status.

The study proposes a novel approach to address the issue: evaluating the efficacy of uncontrolled, natural Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) supplements by observing the behavior of fruit flies.

Asparin’s research offers new insights into potential non-pharmaceutical strategies for managing ethanol withdrawal symptoms, with implications for addiction treatment beyond conventional pharmaceutical remedies.

Aaron Chhun:
History and Contemporary Application of the Mitsunobu Reaction

This presentation will provide an overview of the Mitsunobu reaction, a chemical transformation process discovered nearly half a century ago.

The Mitsunobu reaction turns alcohols into various useful substances. It converts alcohols into substances like esters, found in fragrances and flavors, or amines.

Chhun’s presentation will give a brief introduction to the reaction as well as its history, proposed mechanism, and contemporary uses.