Author: Ellie Vicha                        Major: Biology

Spring 2021 Cum Laude Graduate

Hello! My name is Ellie Vicha and I am now a graduate of the University of Arkansas. On May 7th, 2021 I graduated cum laude with a degree in biology and a minor in medical humanities. My research, however, was in the department of chemistry under Dr. McIntosh. Following the completion of my part in this research and my degree, I will further my education by attending
school to become a physician assistant specializing in women’s health.

My lab focused on using radical reactions in place of heavy metal catalysts to form new carboncarbon bonds. This type of chemistry falls under the blanket category of Green Chemistry, which is chemistry that follows renewable and organic guidelines. These carbon-carbon bond formations are commonly used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. In this way, our research has
the ability to create safer and more cost-effective medications for patients. The cost of medications has a direct correlation when it comes to patient compliance and therefore patient outcomes, as patients are more likely to take a medication regularly when it is more affordable.

I first was introduced to this research when I met Claire Beard in the Fall of 2019, the graduate student who I would later work under. Claire was my teaching assistant for the organic chemistry II lab and working under Dr. McIntosh to conduct metal-free catalysis research. As a student who wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, her research immediately caught my attention. The following semester I began working in the lab to learn basic lab techniques, as research labs differ from university course labs. This semester, the Spring of 2021, was, unfortunately, the time when the COVID-19 outbreak began. Due to this, we were unable to come into the lab until the fall. This had a large impact on my work as I had planned to spend my summer working in the
lab.

I was finally able to return to the lab in October of 2020. Because of the ongoing threat of COVID-19, lab capacity was limited and safety measures were strictly followed. My specific role in the research included forming the salts used in the radical reactions and assisting in the purification of products formed. While there is still more to learn regarding this research, we made considerable headway this past year. The Honors College research grant allowed me to spend more time in the lab as my finances were impacted by the pandemic. If it were not for this
funding and my incredible mentors, I would not have been able to complete my thesis and graduate with honors this spring.

My time working in the lab also helped me to get a job post-grad in the lab at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, AR. I will spend my gap year refining my skills in the lab, completing a few more classes required by physician assistant schools at the University of Arkansas, and enjoying my extra time in Fayetteville.