Seton Hall University Hosts Latin American Ph.D. Students for Groundbreaking Chemistry Research

Seton Hall University has strengthened its international research collaborations with Universidad de Los Andes (U. Andes), one of Latin America’s leading institutions. Through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022, Seton Hall’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, led by Associate Professor Wiedman, Ph.D., has partnered with U. Andes researchers, including  Juan C. Cruz, Ph.D., and Luis Humberto Reyes Barrios, Ph.D.

This partnership has enabled U. Andes students to work on cutting-edge research at Seton Hall. Fabian Dagnober Ricardo, a graduate Bioengineering student from U. Andes, exemplifies the success of this collaboration. Working closely with Wiedman, Fabian gained valuable hands-on experience that advanced his doctoral research in peptide synthesis, a field with significant implications for environmental sustainability. His work focused on creating sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based surfactants, chemicals widely used in industries like agriculture and cosmetics. These traditional surfactants pose environmental challenges, which makes the development of eco-friendly substitutes critical.

Fabian contributed to a groundbreaking project that combined computational and experimental methods to design peptide-based surfactants. This work, published in the American Chemical Society Journal of Physical Chemistry B, highlighted the team’s innovative approach to reducing surface tension, a key property of surfactants. “The work we’re doing has the potential to revolutionize surfactant synthesis,” Wiedman said, emphasizing the potential applications of these peptides in agriculture and personal care products. Fabian played a pivotal role in synthesizing seven promising peptides and developing an artificial intelligence model to predict the effectiveness of new peptide candidates. The model’s predictions were validated through experimental testing, showcasing its utility in advancing peptide research and sustainability efforts.

Beyond his technical contributions, Fabian praised the resources and opportunities available at Seton Hall, particularly its 24/7 lab access and cutting-edge instruments, which allowed him to dive deeper into his research. “At U. Andes, we could only work in the lab from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,” Fabian noted. “At Seton Hall, I had the flexibility to conduct experiments anytime, producing stronger results.” Fabian also appreciated the supportive environment fostered by Seton Hall’s faculty and students. He described the collaborative spirit of his peers and the mentorship of Wiedman, who provided guidance throughout the research process. “Wiedman was not only a supervisor but also a mentor and a family-like figure,” Fabian said, recalling how he and his colleagues were hosted by Wiedman during the holiday season.

Both universities are committed to expanding this partnership and creating more opportunities for students from Latin America to engage in impactful research at Seton Hall. “Fabian’s work exemplifies the global collaboration required to address complex challenges like sustainability,” said Wiedman. “We are proud to contribute to international efforts toward a sustainable future.” This collaboration underscores the transformative power of cross-border academic partnerships in advancing scientific discovery and fostering a global culture of excellence. Seton Hall’s ongoing relationship with U. Andes serves as a testament to the potential of international cooperation in tackling pressing global issues.

Seton Hall has a robust Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry with a wide range of faculty researching drug discovery, catalysis, materials and other areas of analytical, organic and inorganic chemistry. The Department offers both the masters and doctoral degrees. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry also has a new accelerated BS-MS program that allows students to earn both degrees in 5 years. Students interested in STEM research should contact Associate Dean Jeffrey Togman, Ph.D. and those interested in STEM graduate programs should contact Associate Dean Michael Dooney, Ph.D.

Categories: Nation and World, Science and Technology