Rhodes chemistry alumna Caroline Magee ’19 has had manuscripts based on her undergraduate research accepted for publication in two peer-reviewed scientific journals—Computational and Theoretical Chemistry and the International Journal of Quantum Chemistry.
The article in Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, made available online in May, is titled “The Effects of Ligand Charge, Orientation and Size on the Binding of Potential Inhibitors for Aldehyde Dehydrogenase” and is based on work with Rhodes chemistry professors Dr. Larryn Peterson and Dr. Mauricio Cafiero. The research has applications in treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
“Caroline was a model student and researcher, and she’s one of the most responsible and dedicated students I have known,” says Cafiero. “She took advantage of every opportunity and would always go above and beyond. I am so happy that her hard work has paid off in these two manuscripts.”
The second manuscript, to be published in a forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Quantum Chemistry, was written in collaboration with 2019 chemistry graduates Rebecca Evans and Madison Perchik and details the perspectives that they had as women working in the field of computational chemistry.
Magee also has presented her work at regional conferences, the national conference of the American Chemical Society, and the World Association of Theoretical and Computational Chemists in Munich, Germany.
“I couldn’t have done it without Dr. Cafiero and Dr. Peterson’s mentorship,” says Magee. “They taught me lifelong skills, such as strong communication and how to advise a cohesive undergraduate research group. My time in the lab was temporary, but I am forever grateful for the experiences that I will carry for a lifetime. I thank them both for the amazing opportunity that began during my first semester at Rhodes College.”