Karen Salgado-Dennery
Class of 2003
Union Hill H.S.
Topic: Study of the Synthesis of Porphyrinic conjugates towards Photodynamic Therapy
About:
When I joined the Summer Internship program, by the Harlem Children Society and the American Chemical Society, I really didn't know what I was going to be doing, or what to expect from the program. However, Mrs. Makar, my chemistry teacher from Union Hill High School in Union City, NJ, said that it would be a good experience and that I would learn a lot from the program. I was a bit scared at first, thinking that the program was going to be difficult and that I wouldn't be interested in it - but, sincerely, I don't regret it one bit. I did learn a lot during the time I was there, it wasn't boring at all, and it does help with class ranking. It also gave me a chance to try a new challenge, meet new people, and to see New York City; I had a great time. Thanks to Dr. Sat Bhattacharya, I was at Hunter College, in New York, working alongside Dr. Drain and graduate student Diana Samaroo. We researched Porphyrins and did three experiments with them. The first one we did was making the porphyrin itself. Once that was done, we used it for the other two experiments. They both involved the synthesis of TPFPP tetrapentafluorophenylporphyrin; one with pentylamine and the other with mannose amine. We used many different purification methods, including filtration and running columns, in order to get the desired results. Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, and the UV-Vis were used to check if the purified substance was maintained. Another student, like myself, was working in the lab on a different project. His name is Oliver and he goes to Hunter High School. We got to know each other better during the time we were there and he is a really nice guy. Not only did I meet Oliver, I met other kids that were part of the program, but were working in other labs. We didn’t see each other much, but when we did we had lots of fun. The way I was able to meet the other students was through the lectures that Dr. Sat Bhattacharya set up for us. Different people would come in and talk to us about different things. We would all gather together and joke around before the lecture began, and afterwards as well. The lectures weren't only about things that I was going to be researching during the summer, but it consisted of many different areas of science. We didn’t only learn about chemistry, but about biology as well, since everything in life requires some sort of chemistry. The lectures weren't boring. Many students think that they would be, but they really do teach a lot of things and they are presented in a way that you are not bored with it.
I learned so much from the lectures; I was able to expand my knowledge on certain things and also gain some new information. Ever since I was small, I knew that I wanted to do something in science, especially the medical field. The Program made me realize that I do want to go into the medical field. It convinced me that I would enjoy being in this field for the rest of my life. I've always wanted to have more than a job, I want a career, and this program has helped me choose what I want to major in. I learned a lot during the past summer; more than I have ever learned during one summer. I am not the brightest student in my class, and this program accepts students that do well in school, and they don't necessarily have to be the best. I am glad that I chose to join the Summer Internship Program instead of staying home and wasting my time. I would like to thank Dr. Sat Bhattacharya, Dr. Drain, Diana Samaroo, Mrs. Makar, the American Chemical Society and the Harlem Children Society for allowing me to have the opportunity to have such a great experience.