The Group
Current Group Members
Prof. Aaron L. Odom
odoma@msu.edu
Aaron holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Texas Tech University and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As a graduate student he worked under Prof. Christopher "Kit" C. Cummins in the development of new methodologies for the synthesis of nitrido ligands using NO and N2 cleavage. After graduation, he did a postdoctoral stint with Prof. Daniel G. Nocera at M.I.T. working in photonic to chemical energy conversion. He began his career at Michigan State University in 1999 and was promoted to full professor in 2007. He has received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers and has been an Office of Naval Research Young Investigator.
Graduate Students
Rashmi Jena
jenarash@msu.edu
Rashmi obtained her B.Sc. in Chemistry from Hindu College, Delhi University, in 2017, where she worked on corrosion inhibition of mild steel using PEG-based polyurethanes under the guidance of Prof. Sudershan Kumar. She furthered her studies at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, completing her M.Sc. in Chemistry in 2019, focusing on the synthesis and catalytic applications of Chiral N-heterocyclic germylene under the guidance of Prof. Selvarajan Nagendran. Joining the Odom group in December 2019, her current research centers around elucidating structure-property relationships of f-block elements and investigating the impact of ancillary ligands on high-valent metal catalysis.
Sazia Sultana
sultan10@msu.edu
Sazia obtained her M.Sc. in Chemistry from the National University of Bangladesh in 2015. During her time there, she engaged in the synthesis and characterization of water-soluble sulphonated acetone formaldehyde (superplasticizer) under the guidance of Dr. Purobi Rani Samaddar and Dr. Zenefar Yeasmin. Starting in 2016, she held the position of a Research fellow at the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, where her research was primarily centered around the preparation of bioceramic materials for biological applications with Dr. Samina Ahmed. In December 2022, she became a member of the Odom group, focusing her research on the application of photoredox catalysts in Organic synthetic chemistry, particularly emphasizing Ligand-to-Ligand charge transfer phenomena.
Md Matiar Rahman
rahman68@msu.edu
Matiar earned his M.Sc. in Chemistry from Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh in 2017. During his time there, he conducted research on the synthesis and characterization of osmium clusters with a thiosaccharide ligand under the guidance of Prof. Shariff Enamul Kabir. In 2018, he commenced his position as a chemistry lecturer at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University in Gopalganj, Bangladesh. In December 2022, Matiar became a part of the Odom group, where his research is centered around modeling and catalyst development for alkyne metathesis.
Andre Shabazian
shabazia@msu.edu
Andre earned his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Cellular and Molecular Biology from California State University, Monterey Bay, in 2017. During his undergraduate tenure, he engaged in diverse research areas. Under the guidance of Dr. Arlene Haffa, he explored bio-remedial strategies to mitigate agricultural runoff. He also investigated the invasion of exotic mussel species along the western Pacific coast of the USA using genetic analysis techniques under the guidance of Dr. Henrik Kibak. Andre pursued a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Chemistry from Montana State University, Bozeman, graduating in 2021. His research spanned two significant domains: Firstly, under the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Livinghouse, he engaged in the design, synthesis, and application of reanimated antibiotics to achieve viable levels for administration. Secondly, under the guidance of Dr. Mary Cloninger, he investigated the multivalent interactions of galectins with β-galactosides and their interactive role in tumorigenesis.
In December 2023, Andre embarked on a new chapter by joining the Odom group at Michigan State University. His initial research thrust revolves around synthesizing and exploring inhibitors targeting the Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) gene.
Saima Sultana
Saima completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Dhaka in Chemistry. Their her research project was focused on a thorough understanding of the physicochemical properties of personal care products (shower gel), the determination of the presence of plastic microbeads and heavy metals (Pd, Cd) in those samples, the study of antimicrobial resistance of samples against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under the supervision of Dr. Mohammad Shoeb. Saima joined Odom group in December 2023 and she will be focusing on f-block element chemistry.
Gunner Mitchem
Gunner earned his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Chemistry at Montana State University in 2021. There he conducted research with Dr. Sharon Neufeldt, assisting with solvent studies in Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reactions. During his undergraduate studies, he also completed a REU at the University of North Dakota, where he worked with Dr. Alena Kubátová to investigate the degradation products of lignin. Gunner joined the Odom group in December 2023, where he is beginning his research into three-component coupling reactions.
Undergraduates
Your name here! Contact Prof. Odom if interest in undergraduate research.
Kate Norris
Kate is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in chemistry at Michigan State as a Junior. She joined Odom group in Fall 2023. Her research project focuses on synthesis of metal alkylidenes and study their properties. Outside lab she enjoys playing games with friends and crocheting to relax.
Ethan Fisher
Ethan is currently a junior at MSU studying Chemistry and Japanese. He joined Odom group in Fall 2023. His research focuses on synthesis of ligands and titanium catalysts for organic transformations. In his free time, he enjoys baking, cross-stitching, and doing pixel art.
Group Photos (circa 2024):
First row, left to right: Andre, Sazia, Rashmi, Saima, and Ethan
Second row, left to right: Gunner, Aaron, Matiar, and Kate
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Left to right: Seokjoo, Lingqing, Rashmi, Aaron, Sean, Hannah, Zhilin
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Left to right: Seokjoo, Hannah, Rashmi, Aaron, Linqing, Zhilin, Sean