Dr. Dominic Sirianni, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Daemen University, co-authored a research paper published by The Journal of Chemical Physics on October 16 that examines the chemical structure and properties of heterocyclic diradicals, molecules that have a cyclical structure involving an element other than carbon and two dangling, unpaired electrons.
The almost four-year research project began in January 2021 while Sirianni was pursuing his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Richmond. He collaborated with some undergraduate students and his postdoctoral advisor, Carol Parish, and continued working with them after joining Daemen in August 2022 to complete the project.
Sirianni set out to explore the impact of molecules with dangling electrons, specifically those produced by burning organic materials like tobacco, which can be very harmful to the body. “It’s challenging to find these molecules in tobacco smoke because they are extremely reactive and short-lived,” said Sirianni. “If these molecules stick around in the body long enough, they can wreak complete havoc.”
The research project didn’t come without challenges. “Science is reluctant to be discovered,” said Sirianni. “We probably recalculated the data five, six, or seven times as we learned more about our methods since they weren’t documented in the most accessible way. As a result of this process, we are now among the few people—beyond those who designed the computational method—who truly understand how to use it effectively.”
Sirianni talked to his students about this research project to share important scientific lessons. “I’ve told my students if they don’t know something to ask people who do, and I also reminded them not to be afraid to admit if they don’t know something. We can collectively learn from each other instead of working in an echo chamber.”
Sirianni has several projects in the works, including organoruthenium and organic reactivity projects with some of his students that explore application in chemotherapeutic agents and anti-tumor applications respectively. He is also collaborating on another project with Carol Parish and one of her students.
“At Daemen, teaching is my primary responsibility,” he said. “I can use science as my hobby, which gives me the freedom to create projects with my students that are compelling to us both. It’s a joy to share these experiences with them and watch their growth and passion unfold.”