HALA MALOUL

Advisor: Prof. David Gorin – Organic Synthesis and Reaction Development

• Developed and optimized reaction conditions for unprecedented aliphatic alcohol O-cyclopropylation via the Chan-Evans-Lam reaction increasing quantitative yield from 19-40% to 79%.
• Introduced alternative oxidation systems and temperature profiles to troubleshoot reactivity limitations.
• Performed compound characterization using NMR, IR, GC, and IC-MS instrumentation.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to interpret experimental results and refine research methods.
• Presented research at the National Organic Chemistry Symposium 2025 (NOS); received Best Poster Award.

• Delivered weekly conversation sessions in Arabic for beginner and intermediate learners.
• Designed lesson plans and progress reports, practicing structured communication, teaching, and mentorship.
• Supported students in improving pronunciation, vocabulary, and conversational fluency through guided practice and feedback.

• Delivered weekly conversation sessions in Arabic for beginner and intermediate learners.
• Designed lesson plans and progress reports, practicing structured communication, teaching, and mentorship.
• Supported students in improving pronunciation, vocabulary, and conversational fluency through guided practice and feedback.

Advisor: Dr. David Ayuso – Computational and Theoretical Chemistry

• Performed quantum mechanical simulations in Gaussian, using DFT and TD-DFT to investigate molecular responses to chiral light with topological properties, aiming to identify robust enantioselective observables.
• Developed and optimized scientific code for modeling ultrafast light–matter interactions, on high-performance computing clusters.
• Conducted data analysis on simulation outputs to interpret physical mechanisms underlying chiral light-induced molecular behavior.

• Contributed to the chemical testing of MEMS-based sensors, focusing on enhancing performance and reliability.
• Connected membrane surface behavior (wettability and permeability) to polymer structure while screening PFAS-free coatings for MEMS sensor durability.
• Designed and conducted experiments and analytical methods such as contact angle measurements to evaluate membrane performance under exposure to various chemicals, ensuring durability and compliance with standards.
• Leveraged Python to automate surface wetting analysis from membrane droplet images, enabling faster data interpretation for PFAS-free coating evaluation.
• Delivered a materials-focused technical report summarizing surface-property trends, supporting the team’s refinement of PFAS-free coatings.

• Taught 60+ students foundational programming logic through interactive projects and live debugging exercises.
• Developed new project templates later integrated into the camp’s coding curriculum.
• Facilitated group coding activities, strengthening skills in guiding discussions and keeping teams on track.