Rachel Avard , of Manchester, Presents Academic Research Before Assumption College Community at Annual Academic Symposium

2017 Apr 27

Rachel Avard , of Manchester, was one of 90 students selected to present an original academic research project at Assumption College's 23rd Annual Undergraduate Symposium, held April 24-25 on the College's Worcester Campus.

The undergraduate symposium serves to highlight the research and scholarly achievements of Assumption students working in collaboration with dedicated faculty mentors. These collaborations represent a model for integrating teaching, original research, and the beneficial effects of peer review in promoting intellectual development and professional growth. The symposium provides the campus community with the opportunity to gain a greater appreciation of and applaud the individual and collective accomplishments of the College's faculty and students.

Avard , a member of the Class of 2017, presented "Synthesis of Biaryl Macrocycles using Oxidative Phenol Coupling". Avard's research focused on a very specific subset of natural products known as biaryl macrocycles. Many medicines, such as antibiotics, are composed of biaryl macrocycles, yet they have proven to be extremely difficult to synthesize. Classically, transition metals have been used to catalyze the synthesis of biaryl macrocycles, yet these transition metals are toxic and difficult to use. Rather than using transition metal catalysts, this research investigated the use of peroxides to generate phenolic radicals in order to form biaryl macrocycles. .

"The Symposium is one of my favorite moments of the academic year, as it highlights the quality of our students' work and research," said Louise Carroll Keeley, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs. "This is an occasion of great pride not only for our students and their families, but for the entire Assumption community-especially the faculty advisors who lend their expertise to the students as they puruse research that helps them grow intellectually."

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