Kendra Denlinger

Background

About Kendra Denlinger

My research background is in the area of green organic chemistry, with Prof. James Mack at the University of Cincinnati. We use mechanochemistry to carry out chemical reactions without the presence of a solvent. We place our reactants into a metal vial, add a metal ball bearing, and attach the cap. The vial is then clamped inside a ball mill, which shakes the vial. This shaking results in grinding of the reactants to smaller and smaller particle sizes, so they can eventually interact on the molecular level and react to produce product. Specifically, I research the combination of functionalized polymer resins with ball milling. These functionalized polymer resins allow me to isolate my products using simple gravity filtration, thus avoiding the solvent-intensive process of column chromatography. I've combined these resins with ball milling to carry out oxidation reactions and the Wittig reaction. I'm also investigating the potential of chitosan as a greener alternative to the polystyrene backbone of these functionalized polymer resins. I also have experience in the area of chemical safety. Through an internship with the American Chemical Society (ACS), I became involved with the Division of Chemical Health and Safety (DCHAS) by creating a presentation on their online tool Hazard Assessment in Research Laboratories. I also published this information in the Journal of Chemical Health and Safety. I currently teach organic chemistry at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. During the fall semester of 2017, I also taught organic chemistry as well as green chemistry and physiological chemistry lab at Xavier. After this temporary position is complete, I'm hoping to find another position as a PhD chemist in the Greater Cincinnati area that will utilize my skills in teaching, green chemistry, scientific writing, and/or leadership.