During the summer of 2013, Aquinas senior Andrew Zhart and chemistry professor Dr. Fritz have been busy in the chemistry laboratories researching and testing efficient ways for organic chemists to create molecules while using as little waste as possible.

Zhart is pursing a double major in biology and chemistry. Last spring, he applied to work on a summer research project alongside Fritz after seeing a poster that Fritz made advertising the Mohler-Thompson research program. Zhart quickly applied and Fritz knew that he’d be perfect for the program based on the previous experience he had with him as a laboratory-teaching assistant.

Zhart and Fritz are working closely together to develop advancements in a process called direct arylation. “The project we are working on is a methodology project where we are trying to optimize the reactivity and selectivity of a direct arylation reaction to make it more useful. In essence, we are trying to improve the synthetic toolbox of the organic chemists so they can craft molecules more efficiently with less waste,” said Fritz.

“Less technically and more shortly put, we are trying to couple two aromatic rings and get them to add together the same way every time. The most direct application of the process is in the production of pharmaceuticals,” Zhart said.

Fritz came up with the original idea for the research project. The scope of the project is large enough to be continued long after Zhart graduates. Zhart’s work on this project will not stop in August when most Mohler-Thompson research projects are scheduled to end; he plans to continue his research as an independent study in the fall.

The research duo has enjoyed working together this summer. Zhart is grateful to Fritz for this opportunity to not only learn more about chemistry and processes like direct arylation but also to learn skills and techniques that will help him in graduate school. “Dr. Fritz has taught me a ridiculous amount about chemistry over the past few months,” said Zhart. “Things that he has taught me include some new concepts as well as a large amount of laboratory techniques that will prove to be valuable in graduate school. In retrospect, I find it hard to believe how much I have learned in such a short amount of time! He has also guided me in the research process so that I can better look for recent advancements in the field independently.”

Fritz notes that Zhart has been doing most of the actual research himself. Fritz’s role is to make sure the project runs smoothly by focusing the direction of the project and teaching Zhart new laboratory techniques. Fritz also buys any supplies needed for the project and sets up the equipment.

There are two goals to their research. One is to make a significant impact in the world of organometallic chemistry through their research. The other goal is to train Zhart and provide him with certain research skills that will prove useful in graduate school. “An important benefit of research is that it gives students the ability to apply what they learn in the classroom to a real world challenge,” Fritz said.

Zhart will present his research at three different conferences over the course of the 2013-2014 school year which include the Mohler-Thompson Poster Symposium (September 24-29), the West Michigan Undergraduate Science Research Conference (November 16), and the Aquinas Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Symposium (April 2014).

It makes the job easier and more rewarding when both mentor and student enjoy the research that they are conducting while also enjoying each other’s company and learning from one another. Zhart and Fritz have this kind of a mentor/student relationship, which has helped them gain the most that they could out of this experience.

“I consider myself quite blessed to have Andy as a research student. He is extremely motivated to do research and learn new topics related to the research. Significantly, he is able to push through the mundane and challenging aspects of research to produce high quality data,” said Fritz. “The importance of this quality cannot be overemphasized and will serve him well in the future. He plans to pursue graduate studies in chemistry beyond Aquinas which I’m sure will be a successful endeavor for him. I look forward to seeing where he is five to ten years down the road.”