Betty Chen

 About Betty

• Advisor: Yang Yang
• Department: Chemistry
• Campus: UCSB
• BioPACIFIC MIP Research: SET 1 - Bioderived Materials

 What is your research focus?

I am a graduate student jointly advised by Prof. Yang Yang and Prof. Javier Read de Alaniz in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCSB. My current research is focused on biocatalysts for stereodivergent atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) and atom transfer radical cyclization (ATRC) to produce enantio- and/or diastereoselective small molecule building blocks for synthetic organic chemistry. The active-site of metalloproteins will be tailored specifically towards a certain enantiomer through directed evolution. In addition to small molecules, our group is also envisioning the use of proteins in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional catalysts. In the ideal case, the engineered activate site in the protein would also control the tacticity in polymers in similar fashion to the stereo-control of small organic molecules.

 What excites you about NSF BioPACIFIC MIP?

I am interested in being a BioPACIFIC MIP Affiliate because I will most likely do research in the industry. It would be beneficial for me to learn more about how industry runs before becoming a part of it. The objectives and needs of the industry would also be crucial for me to think about the ways my research might be able to be applied. I would also be interested in the opportunity to form connections with other excellent scientists and students in the field and learn about their research.