Dr. Uttam Pokharel – Coordination Chemistry – Chemistry Education Award

University of Houston Clear Lake, United States

Author Profiles

🎓 Educational Background

Dr. Uttam Pokharel has pursued an extensive academic journey in chemistry, specializing in organic and organometallic chemistry. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (2007 – 2012), where he conducted significant research in synthetic organic chemistry. Prior to that, he completed his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Organic Chemistry from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal (1996 – 1998). To further enhance his research expertise, he undertook a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA (2012 – 2015), focusing on organometallic catalysis and reaction mechanisms.

🏆 Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Pokharel has been honored with multiple awards for his excellence in teaching and research. In 2023, he received the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence at Nicholls State University, a prestigious recognition of his dedication to education. He was also honored with the Academic Award for Teaching Excellence from the College of Science and Technology at Nicholls State University in 2020. His contributions to research were acknowledged with the Patent Investigator Award from Louisiana State University in 2019. Additionally, he was an Outstanding Faculty Nominee to the Faculty Senate at Nicholls State University in 2018, and earlier in his career, he received the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award from the University of Kentucky in 2012.

🎓Teaching Experience

Dr. Pokharel has an extensive teaching background, with experience at multiple prestigious institutions.

University of Houston – Clear Lake (2024 – Present)

As an Associate Professor, he teaches a wide range of chemistry courses, including Organic Chemistry I & II, General Chemistry Lab, Advanced Organic Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, and Graduate Research courses.

Nicholls State University (2015 – 2024)

Dr. Pokharel served as an Associate Professor (2021–2024), Assistant Professor (2016–2021), and Visiting Assistant Professor (2015–2016). He taught various chemistry courses, such as General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry for Nursing, and Research Problems in Chemistry, among others.

University of Kentucky (2007 – 2012)

He began his teaching career as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Chemistry, where he gained valuable experience instructing undergraduate students.

💰 Grants and Research Funding

Dr. Pokharel has been actively involved in securing research grants to advance his studies in organic and organometallic chemistry, catalysis, and ligand design. He has submitted a proposal to the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (ACS PRF) for research on Copper(II)-Mediated Oxidation of Nitrogen Heterocycles aimed at improving petroleum refining processes. He has also received a Faculty Research Support Fund from the University of Houston – Clear Lake (2025), amounting to $5,998, for studying ligand-centered redox reactions in ruthenium(II) complexes.

In addition, he secured $5,000 from the Louisiana Board of Regents (2023–2024) under the Supervised Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program for research on α-Ferrocenyl Ketones for Anion Sensing. His efforts to improve laboratory facilities led to a $12,660 grant from Nicholls State University Tech Fee (2022) for acquiring a Gas Chromatogram for Organic Chemistry Laboratory. Other notable grants include a $4,900 Research Council grant (2020–2021) at Nicholls State University for work on Redox-driven Single Molecular Rotors from Ferrocene-linked Tetradentate Ligands, and a $21,600 grant from the Louisiana Board of Regents (2017–2018) for research on Organometallic Polyacenes for Opto-electronic Applications.

Notable Publications📝

📝Structural Rearrangement in Cyclic Cu(II) Pyridyltriazole Complexes: Oxidation of Dabco to Oxalate and CO2 Conversion to Carbonate

Authors: Uttam R. Pokharel, Frank R. Fronczek, Andrew W. Maverick

Journal: Molecules

Year: 2025

📝Lactonization of α-Ferrocenyl Ketocarboxylic Acids via Nucleophilic Attack of Carbonyl Oxygen

Authors: Uttam R. Pokharel, Brennan J. Curole, Autumn M. Andras, Brandon P. LeBlanc, Frank R. Fronczek

Journal: Crystals

Year: 2024

📝Synthesis and crystal structure of 1,1′-bis{[4-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]methyl}ferrocene, and its complexation with CuI

Authors: Uttam Pokharel

Journal: Acta Crystallographica Section E Crystallographic Communications

Year: 2020

📝Metallosupramolecular helices constructed from nickel(II) and multidentate “click” triazole ligands

Authors: Uttam Pokharel

Journal: Polyhedron

Year: 2020

📝Synthesis and crystal structures of 2-(ferrocenylcarbonyl)benzoic acid and 3-ferrocenylphthalide

Authors: Uttam Pokharel

Journal: Acta Crystallographica Section E Crystallographic Communications

Year: 2020

Dr. Tetiana | Coordination Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce | Poland

Professional Profiles

Scopus

Orcid

🎓 Education

Dr. Tetiana Starodub graduated with honors from the prestigious National University of Vasyl Karazin in Kharkov (KhNU) in 1998. In the same year, she began her academic journey in the Department of Theoretical and Organic Chemistry at KhNU, marking the start of her commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of chemistry.

🌍 International Experience

In 2000-2001, Dr. Starodub gained invaluable international exposure by working in the laboratories of the Institute of Technology in Karlsruhe, Germany. This experience provided her with a global perspective and cutting-edge research techniques, fueling her passion for innovative chemistry.

🧪 Research Focus: Transition Metal Complexes and TCNQ Compounds

From 2000 to 2014, her research was centered on the synthesis of isotrithionedithiolate (dmit) transition metal complexes and the development of anion-radical salts of 7,7′,8,8′-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ ARS). Her work included studying the structures of these compounds and exploring their potential applications in modern electronics and spintronics. This period marked significant contributions to the understanding of advanced materials for emerging technologies.

🧑‍🏫 Academic Role at Jan Kochanowski University

Dr. Tetiana Starodub is currently an assistant professor at the Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, in Kielce, Poland. Since 2018, her scientific interests have been focused on synthetic metals, organic chemistry, and coordination chemistry, with a special emphasis on TCNQ-based compounds. Her research has explored their diverse applications in electronics, biotechnology, and medicine.

🔬 Vision for Modern Chemistry

Her research on TCNQ derivatives is driven by their promising role in constructing electrochemical sensors, energy storage devices, and medical applications. Dr. Starodub’s work continues to push the boundaries of organic and coordination chemistry, paving the way for innovations in sustainable technologies and biomedical sciences.

Publications Top Noted📝

“TCNQ and Its Derivatives as Electrode Materials in Electrochemical Investigations—Achievement and Prospects: A Review”

Authors: Starodub, T., Michalkiewicz, S.

Journal: Materials

Year: 2024

“Crystal Structure of Anion-Radical Salts of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane with N-xylyl-pyridinium and N-xylyl-isoquinolinium Cations”

Authors: Starodub, T.N., Fenske, D., Fuhr, O., Yaroshenko, V.O., Stepen’, D.

Journal: Crystallography Reports

Year: 2022

“Structure, optical and electro-physical properties of tetramerized anion-radical salt (N-Xy-Qn)(TCNQ)2”

Authors: Barszcz, B., Starodub, T.N., Mizera, A., Iaroshenko, V.O., Starodub, V.A.

Journal: Spectrochimica Acta – Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy

Year: 2022

“Crystal and Molecular Structure of Anion Radical Salt (N-Me-DABCO)(TCNQ)2”

Authors: Starodub, T.N., Kolosov, M.A., Fenske, D., Shishkina, S.V., Piotrowska, W.

Journal: Crystallography Reports

Year: 2022

“New radical-cation salts based on the TMTTF and TMTSF donors with iron and chromium bis(dicarbollide) complexes: Synthesis, structure, properties”

Authors: Chudak, D.M., Kazheva, O.N., Kosenko, I.D., Bregadze, V.I., Dyachenko, O.A.

Journal: Crystals

Year: 2021