Final Chemistry PhD Seminar by Anumeha Muthal
Saturday, April 22, 2017
The seminar will be presented at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday April 25 in the Helen Lerner Amphitheater, McNulty Hall, Science and Technology Center, Seton Hall University. The university community is invited to attend.
The selectivity of a method is defined by its ability to determine a particular analyte without interference in a complex mixture. Selectivity in gas chromatography (GC) can be obtained at different points in the analysis including the sample preparation, sample introduction, separation on column and detection. In GC, a first dimension of selectivity can be obtained in sample preparation; a second dimension in the chromatographic separation and a third dimension in detection. This research focuses on the relationships between selectivity in these different dimensions, studied using some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, fatty acid methyl esters and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Recent methodologies used for selective sample preparation such as supercritical fluid extraction, QuEChERs extraction and solid phase micro extraction (SPME) also add up to 'greener' approaches. Column selectivity is expalined using comprehensive gas chromatography (GCxGC), using various column combinations including new ionic liquid columns. Detector selectivity is explained using new detection technologies, including the multidimensional mass spectrometers (MS-MS) and vacuum ultraviolet detection (VUV), which show potential for better detection at low detection limits using MS-MS, and better separation of isomers using VUV. Combining all these dimensions can give a better and faster analysis with some new challenges in separation. In method development, considering selectivity in all separation dimensions can provide the most efficient, and most sensitive method.
Anumeha Muthal is a PhD candidate in Analytical Chemistry, graduating from Seton Hall University in May 2017. Anumeha grew up in India, curious and interested in the scientific community. She received a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from Nagpur University in 2009, and then she worked for a food and drug-testing laboratory as an analytical scientist. Anumeha received her master's degree in pharmaceutical chemistry from Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey in 2011, thesis track in 2013 where her research focused on 'Effects of solvents on organic molecules using Infrared spectroscopy'. In 2013, she joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Seton Hall University, to work towards her PhD in Analytical Chemistry under the guidance of Dr. Nicholas Snow. Her main research focuses on method development using solid phase microextraction on NSAIDs and other classes of drugs, which can be challenging to separate and analyze using gas chromatography. This research was honored as a Young Investigator talk at 12th GCxGC Symposium, in May 2015, and was also published. As an analytical scientist, she has had opportunities to perform multiple projects including experience on GC-VUV – a new detection technology in gas chromatographic separations, interdepartmental projects and a collaborative project with Phenomenex, studying their test columns using multidimensional gas chromatography. Anumeha was awarded Donald Pachuta/Airborne labs fellowship during her PhD studies and has been supported as a graduate teaching assistant by Seton Hall University.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers BS, MS and PhD degrees with specializations in all areas of chemistry. Our unique research environment, including traditional full-time students and part-time students is designed to foster collaborations with industry and colleagues in other disciplines. The Rose Mercadante Seminar Series is named for Rose Mercadante, the departmental secretary for over 40 years, in honor of our alumni, her "boys and girls".
