Research Projects

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Lab research under Edward Njoo, PhD:

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1. KRAS inhibition

• KRAS is a protein involved in multiple signaling pathways in a cell. When this protein is mutated, it can be locked in its activated state, continuously signaling downstream and causing uncontrollable growth and proliferation. For over 40 years, this protein was considered "undruggable" until Shokat and others made advances in mapping out the mutated proteins, finding binding pockets susceptible to potential small-molecule drugs. Since this discovery, several drugs have been created to inhibit various mutations of KRAS, including the G12C and G12D variations. Our efforts are focused on developing a small-molecule inhibitor of high selectivity and potency for mutated KRAS proteins.

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2. Acetal Catalysis

• Acetals and Ketals are commonly used as protecting groups for aldehyde and ketone functional groups when performing a multi-step synthesis. Because of this, deprotection of acetal and ketal functional groups is a vital step in many synthetic routes where deprotection must successfully occur without harsh conditions or off-target reactivity. Common catalysts used for deprotection include indium triflate and iodine, using acetone as a solvent. These catalysts provide high yields, but other catalysts could be more convenient and potent. We are investigating the potency of other, more convenient catalysts through mechanistic analysis, and hope to find the most effective catalyst for the deprotection of acetals and ketals.
   

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Independent Research: Optimizing Sound Damping and Transmission Using 3D-Printed Acoustic Filters with Various Infills and Materials

 

Musicians' earplugs are specifically designed to reduce the volume of sound waves across the frequency spectrum uniformly to maximize audio clarity. These earplugs are made with specialty machinery.  3D printing musicians' earplugs could provide student and other musicians with cheap musicians' earplugs. I tested various 3D printed filters and materials to test the sonic reduction capabilities. I found that a gyroid infill of TPU foam demonstrates the optimal combination of decibel reduction and sonic clarity.​

• Patent pending for the selected gyroid infill design

• 3rd Place Award, Materials Science, Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF affiliate)