Lauren Stokes
McNair Scholar 2025
- Major(s): Biochemistry
- Classification: Junior
- Anticipated Graduation Date: Spring 2027
- Career Aspirations: I plan to enroll in dental school to pursue a career as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. After completing four years of dental school, I would prioritize gaining experience as a general dentist. I hope to later specialize in a specific area of dentistry and ultimately establish and manage my own practice.
“The most valuable part of my McNair experience has been the opportunity to work closely with my mentor. Their high expectations for both laboratory performance and writing pushed me to strive for excellence. Through this process, I have not only strengthened my research abilities but also developed greater confidence and discipline that extend beyond the lab.”
“Comparing Different Reaction Conditions to Synthesize Epoxy Cardanol”
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Maha Shrestha
This project focuses on comparing different reaction conditions for synthesizing epoxidized cardanol, a renewable compound derived from cashew nutshell liquid. The goal was to evaluate how using acetic acid and formic acid as catalysts affects the efficiency of the epoxidation process and the characteristics of the final product. Both reactions were performed under similar conditions and analyzed using a Viscometer, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy to confirm the formation of epoxy groups. The results showed that the formic acid system produced a higher oxirane oxygen content, meaning it led to a more complete epoxidation than the acetic acid system. These findings suggest that the formic acid route produced more epoxidized cardanol. Overall, this research highlights the potential of cardanol-based epoxies as sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based materials, focusing on refining the process through different reaction conditions.