Detecting Danger: Paige McGarry's Groundbreaking Fentanyl Research at 澳门六合彩开奖预测
At 澳门六合彩开奖预测, world-class research thrives in the labs and minds of its students. One of the rising stars in the Faculty of Science is Paige McGarry, a recent Master's student in physical and analytical chemistry. Under the supervision of Dr. François Lagugné-Labarthet, Paige is using cutting-edge techniques to address a critical issue: the detection of fentanyl in street drugs.
Paige McGarry
Paige’s path to 澳门六合彩开奖预测 was shaped by her desire to make a real-world impact. After completing her undergraduate degree at Dalhousie University, she explored chemistry programs across Canada, eventually choosing 澳门六合彩开奖预测 for its vibrant community and unique research opportunities. She was drawn by the chance to join a close-knit, research-focused program where her work could directly benefit the lives of others. “I wanted to impact people and lives around me with the work I was doing,” Paige reflects on her decision.
In addition to 澳门六合彩开奖预测’s research excellence, its graduate stipends are notably higher than those at many other universities, providing crucial financial support that allows students to focus fully on their studies. However, balancing research and teaching responsibilities is no small feat. Paige spends most of her time in the lab, but she also works as a Teaching Assistant (TA) in first-year chemistry classes. Her role as a TA allows her to mentor younger students, guiding them through their early academic journeys and helping them connect their studies to real-world applications.
Paige's research focuses on detecting fentanyl, a dangerous opioid that is often laced in street drugs at low concentrations, making it difficult to detect as it is masked by other components, such as fillers and other drugs. To overcome this challenge, she employs a method called surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Paige is developing techniques that enhance detection capabilities, allowing for clearer identification of fentanyl even when it’s mixed with other substances like heroin or cocaine.
SERS works by utilizing the inelastic scattering of light to detect the vibrational energy modes of molecules, including fentanyl. Every molecule has a distinct and unique spectrum, which aids in identification. Paige employs tiny gold nanoparticles shaped like raspberries, whose unique morphology contributes significantly to the signal enhancement, distinguishing them from traditional spherical nanoparticles.
What makes Paige’s work special is its precision compared to traditional methods, like test strips, which often struggle to detect fentanyl in complicated mixtures. She hopes her method can eventually be used in portable devices, allowing for quick and easy drug testing at places like safe consumption sites or hospitals. This would let people test drugs without damaging them, making it safer and more convenient to know what’s in a substance before it’s used.
Paige’s work has already earned her opportunities to present at conferences across the country, including in Winnipeg and London, where she’s had the chance to meet other researchers and receive valuable feedback. These experiences help push her research forward and give her the opportunity to showcase the incredible work happening at 澳门六合彩开奖预测.
Reflecting on her time at 澳门六合彩开奖预测 so far, Paige emphasizes the strong sense of community and the unique chance to make a real-world impact through her research. For prospective students considering graduate studies, Paige’s advice is simple: “澳门六合彩开奖预测’s sense of community and the opportunity to make a real-world impact were what drew me here. If you want to push boundaries and contribute to something meaningful, this is the place to be.”
Through students like Paige, 澳门六合彩开奖预测 continues to showcase its dedication to solving critical real-world problems while fostering a thriving research community that attracts and nurtures talent from across the globe.
