Current Research:
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Research Assistant in Chemistry
September/2023-December/2023
Chemistry Department under Dr. Guo, Associate Professor of Chemistry
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Investigated a series of N-Amidothioureas derivatives with methoxy moieties on different locations of the benzene ring with their fluorescence properties.
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Zinc was investigated primarily due to its high selectivity and property to turn on a color for the aqueous solutions.
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Several procedures were accomplished such as a Job’s Plot, Titrations, and competition with a 5 eq of the other metals where their fluorescence was not as significant as zinc with a 1 equivalent.
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Research Assistant in Psychology
September/2023-December/2023
Psychology Department under Dr. Rinker and Dr. Kirk, Associate professors of Psychology
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Ongoing research in regards to certain traits that can be found in humans depending on their responses to situations.
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Heart rate monitoring with electrodes is being utilized and blood pressure is also taken to monitor any changes in rhythm.
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Future investigations will look into the saliva samples collected potentially using a Vortex machine to analyze the sample.
Pictured at 12th annual Chemistry Poster Competition.
L to R: Estrella, Jordan, Sergio, and Dr. Zhifo Guo
Awards:
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Dr. Mary Sheer Award
November/2022
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Dr. Mary Sheer Award for outstanding research conducted in Southeast Texas and Upper Gulf Coast.
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Research presented titled “The Inspiration to Fight Food Insecurity” with the help of my mentor Dr. Bianca Easterly at the 2022 HASBSEB Conference at Lamar University.
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Research was conducted in the classroom where I investigated the intensity of food insecurity in Jefferson county where it ranked high in the rankings. Investigated three potential solutions which could be implemented into the county to decrease this ranking.
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1st place in the Undergraduate Division 12th Annual Chemistry Research Poster Competition
October/2023
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Received first place for research under mentor Dr. Guo for "Structure Controlled Fluorescence Chemosensor for Detecting Zinc (II) Ion in Aqueous Medium".
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Received first place for my team's research project over the highly sensitive and selective fluorescence of Zinc (II) ion on various ligands which has methoxy moieties in different locations including the para-, ortho-, and meta- positions.
Sergio receiving 1st place at Chemistry Competition
Pictured L to R: Dr. Zhifo Guo, Sergio, and Dr. Xiangyang Lei
L to R: Dr. Bianca Easterly, Dr. Andre Favors, Sergio, and Dr. Christian Bahrim with Dr. Mary Sheer Award at the 2022 HASBSEB Conference.
L to R: Sergio and Dr. Guo pictured with 1st place award in front of their poster.
Previous Research:
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Course Required Research Project for Political Science course
September/2023-Novemner/2023
Political Science Department under Dr. Easterly, Associate Professor of Political Science
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Investigated potential resolutions accomplished in three different cities such as Addison Texas, West Oakland California, and Lockhart Texas as possible applications to reduce the food insecurity issue in the Jefferson County area, more specifically my home town Nederland, Texas.
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Utilized a secondary research approach of compiling online sources to better reinforce my data for the best application to reduce the rank of Nederland in terms of food insecurity. ​
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At the time of research, the rate of food insecurity in Jefferson County was 18.2% which was 6% higher than the national average in the United States.
Sergio presenting his POLS Research "The Inspiration to Fight Food Insecurity" at 2022 HASBSEB Conference at Lamar University.