Abigail Hartzer

Project: NSF International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) Program in Heidelberg, Germany

This summer I had the opportunity to conduct research at the University of Heidelberg in Heidelberg, Germany. My project focused on optimizing conditions to maximize the productivity of rhodium catalysts and their ability to synthesize enynes, molecules containing a carbon-carbon double bond directly adjacent to a carbon-carbon triple bond. Enynes are primarily used in pharmaceuticals, material science, and agriculture, but the synthesis of them industrially can be harsh and it has many harmful byproducts. My research tried to find cleaner, more efficient ways to produce these molecules, while eliminating some of the heavy pollutants that come from their traditional synthesis.

The biggest challenge that I faced was trying to optimize the conditions in order for the reaction to run quickly, as well as selectively for a specific conformation of the molecule. I had to go through many different trials to determine the ideal measurements and temperatures. Eventually, I was able to test different terminal alkynes (molecules with a carbon-carbon triple bond on the end of the molecule) and create systems that were really efficient and decently specific! This was a super great way to start off the summer and I was so excited to continue fine tuning the system.

One of the main components that drew me to this exchange program was the opportunity to learn new lab techniques while experiencing different cultures and communicating with a diverse group of scientists. Through these interactions I was able to learn how different international labs are run and approach research. I realized that I really thrive in a collaborative environment and that I enjoy combining different fields of science into my own work. While my lab at Notre Dame focuses on a single research topic, the lab in Germany brought together materials scientists, organic chemists, and inorganic chemists in a shared space, and so it was easy to collaborate.

Aside from all the new science I learned during my exchange, I also felt as though I grew significantly as a young researcher. I gained lots of confidence both inside and outside of the lab and feel as though I have become a much more independent person. Heidelberg was such an amazing place to do this exchange due to the fact that it is a research hub for people all around the world. It was so cool to learn about all the different cultures and interact with so many new people!

Overall, I am excited to bring back many of the new techniques that I learned to my lab at Notre Dame. I hope that I can bridge my original paleoclimate research with the inorganic research I did this summer while integrating more of the JTS guiding principles into my work. I hope to be able to use my background in paleogeochemistry and new knowledge of inorganic to research metal levels in different water systems, centering my own research in the future around JTS principles, especially those of being place-based as well as justice-centered work.