Duffy-Matzner, Jetty

• Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, University of California, Davis 

• B.S., Boise State University

Our first project explores the surface modification of contact lenses with natural biopolymers (chitosan and hyaluronic acid) to increase moisture retention and provide antibacterial properties. These modifications would involve both covalent bonding changes and/or with charge deposition. Chitosan modifications can also provide methods for intraocular drug delivery. The second project would further examine the stereo-and chemoselectivity of alkenyl-alkynyl nitroethers to product novel isoxazolines and isoxazolidines. There heterocyclic compounds have many beneficial medicinal properties. Another project involves the production of polymers as real-time chemosensors for analytes that are toxic to biological systems in aqueous environments. This work would examine the synthesis and evaluation of isomers of thiophene and modified phenylene and anthracenyl comonomers. These research projects would be an excellent opportunity for many students interested in both the chemistry and biology behind biomedical research and aligns with the goals of the South Dakota INBRE program.