Research Rookies Student Profiles
Name: Dan Jeffries
Cohort: Freshman Research Rookie & Simmons' Scholar
Major: Chemistry & Biochemistry
Hometown: Tinley Park, Illinois
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Narayan Hosmane
Dan has always been interested in chemistry. From a very young age, he loved putting things from his chemistry sets together to see what he could create. This curiosity stayed with him throughout the years, and developed into his college major, as well as his future career path.
As soon as he discovered Research Rookies, Dan knew it was something he wanted to get involved in. He would like to do research as his career, and knew this would be a great opportunity to gain experience, get connected, and become more involved in his field.
Dan is currently working in Dr. Hosmane’s lab on BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) as a cancer therapy. BNCT has the potential to cure cancer quickly, effectively, and with almost no side-effects. However, there are a few unresolved issues that scientists throughout the world are trying to address. One of these issues is transporting the boron directly to the malignant cells so that it can selectively target the cancer. To do this, researchers are working to produce cages that will house the boron and transport it to the cancer cells. For Dan’s Research Rookies project, he is attempting to synthesize one type of these cages using carbon. If his cage, or another type of cage, were to successfully transport the boron to the needed location, BNCT could revolutionize current cancer treatment.
Working on this project has already furthered Dan’s love of his field. He enjoys working with his mentor and gaining this incredible experience. Dan may be a freshman in college, but through Research Rookies, he is already working on the same project as scientists throughout the world.
Dan on what being a Research Rookie means: “Being a Research Rookie means I get to experience what it will be like to work in my field of study and get hands-on experience with things I will be doing if I do happen to pursue a career in my degree.”