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Dalyanne Hernández Sánchez is a fifth-year senior Honors College student graduating with a major in chemistry and a chemistry concentration. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dalyanne spent the first two years of her undergraduate studies at the University of Puerto Rico, before enrolling in the program and coming to ����ɫ��ҹ as an exchange student. After her year as an exchange student, Dalyanne decided to fully transfer to Kent. Now, after her three years studying at ����ɫ��ҹ, Dalyanne is graduating with not only a diversified college experience, but also with a completed Senior Honors Thesis. Currently in the finishing stages of writing her manuscript, Dalyanne’s honors thesis focuses on synthesizing ligands for later use in metal catalysts. More specifically, Dalyanne’s thesis is based on synthesizing the ligands of widely used metal catalysts. These metal catalysts provide a new method for direct carbon-hydrogen bond functionalization, which could help with syntheses of organic compounds and natural products, as well as processes like drug discovery. 

Though she is planning to orally defend her thesis in April, Dalyanne did not initially start her research with the honors thesis in mind. For two semesters prior to enrolling in the honors thesis program, Dalyanne was part of the Individual Investigation program, where she began researching ligands, with the supervision of Dr. Christopher Fenk, professor and interim chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Based on her exceptional work in those two semesters, Dr. Fenk suggested that Dalyanne look into completing an honors thesis. Dalyanne followed his suggestion and enrolled in the thesis program with Dr. Fenk as her thesis advisor. Since then, Dalyanne has continued her ligands research, submitted a formal thesis proposal, and is finishing her experiment with her proposed method of chemical synthesis. Dalyanne is now completing the final step of her synthesis, and, while she hopes the process is successful, she says, “If the last synthesis step doesn’t end up working, then I would have a lot of background and supporting information, along with some discussion and analysis of why this synthesis is so complex and hard to achieve.”

One unique aspect of Dalyanne’s research is that she is not heavily invested in ligands, but rather is fascinated by the process of researching them. In fact, Dalyanne says, “Doing this project made me realize that I wanted to go on to graduate school to pursue a PhD in Organic Chemistry. . . [It] helped me define what I wanted for myself and[,] in the process I found my passion, which is doing research.” With this awareness of her goals, Dalyanne adds that the skills gained from completing a thesis helped her become a more competitive applicant for PhD graduate programs. Specifically, in completing her honors thesis, Dalyanne says she has become a better critical thinker, researcher, analyst, and writer. She adds, “I think those are great skillsets to take on to graduate school and I think that’s definitely something that helped me get my foot in the door with the graduate programs.” Indeed, Dalyanne’s extensive independent research has paid off, and she has officially accepted her offer from The Ohio State University, where she will be pursuing a PhD in organic chemistry.

Reflecting on her honor thesis, Dalyanne recommends the thesis program to any of her fellow honors students. She explains, “If your goal is going into the industry or getting a graduate degree, either way[,] the skills learned in this experience are useful wherever you go.” Dalyanne adds that, with this independent research under her belt, she feels “like a more prepared, responsible person [and] a little bit calmer [about] starting graduate school next semester.” This confidence, paired with the practical skills gained through the thesis, is why Dalyanne feels that any honors student would benefit from the program, regardless of their goals post-graduation.

Dalyanne is excited to begin her graduate program in the fall of 2021, and she is grateful for the opportunities at ����ɫ��ҹ that helped her get there.

For more information about the Senior Honors Thesis/Project, please contact Thesis Coordinator Lori Michael. For more information about Individual Investigation courses, please contact the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. 

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PHOTO CAPTION 1: Dalyanne Hernández Sánchez standing in Williams Hall on campus.

PHOTO CAPTION 2: Dalyanne wearing a mask in Williams Hall.

Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312