BS, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
PhD, University of California-Davis
Pam teaches general chemistry, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. She has special interests in the areas of bio-inorganic chemistry, namely enzyme mechanisms and more recently in the development of ligands for sensitization of lanthanides. Lanthanide ions are used for a variety of applications including chromophors for light-emitting-diodes (LEDs), fluorescent labels in biochemistry, liquid lasers and sensors for pH, pO2, and selected anions.[i] One approach to the development of luminescent polymers which are highly luminescent, flexible, and of high quality is the synthesis of lanthanide complexes with direct metal-to-ligand bonds with a thiophene backbone. Direct bond between sensitizer (ligand) and metal leads to long term stability of the device increasing color purity. In pursuit of efficient sensitizers and in collaboration with Dr. Ana de Bettencourt-Dias, Pam has chosen to study thiophene-based benzoato and b-diketonato ligands, both of which show promise for sensitization of europium (Eu), terbium (Tb), and thulium (Tm) .
