Anyone who is a chemistry major or just hanging around the top floors of Belfer Hall probably knows Dr. Raji Viswanathan. Always inspiring students to learn more about science, Viswanathan's own interest in chemistry goes back many years. Her undergraduate coursework in chemistry, especially physical chemistry, piqued her interest and drove her to pursue an advanced degree in chemistry. During her graduate studies, she met Dr. Lionel M. Raff and was inspired by and interested in the research projects he was involved in at
Oklahoma State University. In graduate school, Viswanathan concentrated on chemical dynamics, which includes the study of small molecules and their reactions in the gaseous phase. These molecular calculations utilized the classical trajectory method of calculation based on Newtonian mechanics. She then proceeded to look at the diffraction pattern of gas molecules scattering from solid surfaces. This research also dealt with how surface defects in the crystal structure could influence the diffraction patterns observed.
Viswanathan joined the YC faculty in 1991 and has since taught many YU students, both during the year as well as during the summer school sessions. Her first teaching experience was at Barnard College, where, as was a visiting professor, she enjoyed a very successful year. She then decided to join Yeshiva College. Today, Viswanathan has many responsibilities, including teaching chemistry, doing research, advising students, and being the chemistry department chairperson.
Besides the hours spent in and out of the classroom, Viswanathan is dedicated to her research as well. Dr. Viswanathan has been using computational methods to understand the nature of hydrogen bonding. Thus far, she has been considering small polypeptides and the strength of hydrogen bonds in the alpha helical and beta sheet of these polypeptides, with a specific interest in the strength of hydrogen bonds as influenced by neighboring hydrogen bonds (termed "cooperativity in hydrogen bonding"). Presence of intra-strand hydrogen bonding, that is hydrogen bonds within the beta sheet, has been found to strengthen the inter-strand hydrogen bonds in the beta sheet secondary structure of polypeptides. Currently, with the help of YC senior Aaron Etra, Viswanathan is studying the nature of hydrogen bonding in inorganic complexes in different solvents. The goal of the project is to clarify the influence of these different solvents on the observed infrared spectrum of these metal complexes. Both Etra and Viswanathan hope to be able to relate the experimentally observed spectral shifts to the strengths of the hydrogen bonds determined computationally.
There are definite limitations to the level and amount of research that can be done at an undergraduate institution, considering the limited amount of time available particularly to those students at Yeshiva College who are pursuing a dual curriculum. However, Viswanathan remains impressed with the quality and dedication of the undergraduates at YC and enjoys working with them one-on-one. Viswanathan added that obtaining the computational resources needed to do research in chemistry was initially a limitation that has since been overcome. When asked to remark upon his work in Viswanathan's lab, Etra expressed his gratitude firstly to YU for that specific opportunity, then to Dr. Viswanathan for enabling him to do science research that is "an educational and rewarding experience."
2008 Woodie Awards
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