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Although he has just completed his first year at Lafayette, Kevin Barry (North Haven, Conn.) is already immersed in a summer-long research project to create a new chemical compound. Barry is working as an EXCEL Scholar with Chip Nataro, assistant professor of chemistry.
Nataro recently received a $35,000 grant from the American Chemical Society’s Petroleum Research Fund to continue research with students that will help the chemical community know when certain compounds are ideal to use without having to test them. Barry is working on the synthesis and characterization of a derivative of the compound ferrocene.
“We’re trying to create a new compound that can potentially bond onto a polymer, which is a kind of plastic. Kevin is looking at using different pathways to get to a compound that’s never been made,” Nataro explains. “This is an interesting project because not only has the compound never been made before, the steps to create the compound also have never been completed. By examining the process of making this compound, we can potentially learn a lot, as well.”
Conducting in-depth research of this kind is a new experience for Barry, who intends to major in chemistry. The combination of practical lab experience, such as learning instrumentation techniques, coupled with conducting a ground-breaking project has helped him understand the challenges of pursuing research in the real world.
“This is a great learning experience for understanding my field of study and what aspect of chemistry I may concentrate on in my future studies. This research opportunity has been very rewarding, because I have been able to develop lab skills that I will need for my education and career,” says Barry.
“This works towards my future career by allowing me to experience what it is like to do research and gives me an idea as to what I would be doing if I were to work in academia, industry, or a government institution,” he says. “As for future academic plans, it has helped me to start narrowing what aspect of chemistry I may want to concentrate my studies in during graduate work.”
He adds, “Lafayette provides a good learning environment for a project like this because undergraduates get full access to research opportunities and facilities, unhindered by the presence of graduate students. This gives us a head start on students at other institutions, which do not have programs such as EXCEL.”
Barry is a member of the Lafayette chapter of the American Chemical Society and participates in Habitat for Humanity and intramural sports. He will be a resident adviser in the upcoming academic year.
A National Leader in Undergraduate Research. Kevin Barry ’05 made a presentation on his collaborative research with Chip Nataro, assistant professor of chemistry, at the 226th national meeting of the American Chemical Society.