RICHMOND ARHIN
West Lafayette,IN
Summary
PhD candidate in Chemistry at Purdue University, specializing in computational and theoretical chemistry, with expertise in excited-state calculations, molecular dynamics, QM/MM, and electronic structure methods. Demonstrated experience in high-performance computing, reaction mechanism modeling, and pharmaceutical quality control enhances the ability to tackle complex scientific challenges. Eager to contribute to innovative projects through a graduate internship or research role within national laboratories, energy research, or pharmaceutical research and development. Committed to advancing scientific knowledge and driving impactful discoveries in the field.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
PhD Candidate
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
01.2023 - Current
- Excited-state and electronic structure calculations on photosynthetic pigment–protein complexes (FMO, PSI, PGR5–PGRL1).
- QM/MM and QM/EFP simulations to investigate environmental effects on site energies and excitonic couplings.
- Computational mutagenesis to study mutation-induced spectral changes using Alpha Fold-based models.
- Charge transfer and optical spectroscopy analysis relevant to photoprotection.
Research Assistant
KNUST
Kumasi, Ghana
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Conducted DFT studies of reaction mechanisms involving thioketones and diazo compounds.
- Supported undergraduate computational chemistry projects by troubleshooting calculations and interpreting results.
Undergraduate Researcher
KNUST
Kumasi, Ghana
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Worked on and published a density functional theory (DFT) study on the cycloaddition reaction of 2-(2-dimethylaminovinyl)-1-benzopyran-4-one with N-phenylmaleimide (NPM) and dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD)
- Worked on a mini-project review on the inverse electron demand Diels Alder biorthogonal reactions.
Intern
Danadams Pharmaceuticals Limited
Ghana
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Performed HPLC-based drug analysis in Quality Control.
- Conducted dissolution, disintegration, and friability testing.
- Assisted in GMP-compliant quality assurance, including batch record review, line clearance, and in-process checks.
Education
Ph.D. - Chemistry
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN03-2026
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science And Technology
Ghana01-2022
Skills
- Computational Chemistry
- Ab-initio QM calculations (DFT, HF, CI, CC)
- QM/MM, QM/EFP, Excitonic Energy Calculations
- Molecular Modeling and Simulation
- Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulations
- Environment (Solvent) Effects Modeling (Photosynthetic Pigment-Protein Complexes (Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) complex, PSI, PGR5-PGRL1))
- Computational Mutagenesis (Alpha-Fold Protein Structure Predictions)
- Reaction Mechanism and Selectivity Modeling
- Software and Programming
- Python (Data Analysis, Automation)
- Linux, HPC cluster computing
- Q-Chem, Gaussian, Spartan, GAMESS, GROMACS, CHARMM-GUI
- PyMol
- Genetic Algorithm
- Experimental / Industrial
- HPLC
- Dissolution, disintegration, friability testing
- GMP & Quality Assurance workflows
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork and collaboration
Affiliations
- Member of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE), Purdue Chapter.
- Member of the GSAB, Purdue Chemistry department.
- Member of the Ghana Students Chemical Society (GSCS)
- Member of the Science Students Association (SCISA)
Timeline
PhD Candidate
Purdue University
01.2023 - Current
Research Assistant
KNUST
01.2022 - 01.2023
Undergraduate Researcher
KNUST
01.2021 - 01.2022
Intern
Danadams Pharmaceuticals Limited
01.2017 - 01.2018
Ph.D. - Chemistry
Purdue University
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science And Technology
PUBLICATIONS
- Would the tandem sequential cycloaddition reactions of functionalized acetylene, cyclopentadienyl derivatives, and phenyl azide for the formation of norbornene 1,2,3-triazolines proceed via the [4 + 2]/[3 + 2] or [3 + 2]/[4 + 2] reaction sequences? a DFT mechanistic study (2026)
- Periselectivity, Chemoselectivity, and Regioselectivity of the Cycloaddition Reaction of Aza-Oxyallyl Cations with Cinnamaldehyde: A Density Functional Theory Study. (2025)
- A computational study into the mechanism and selectivities of the reaction of 1,1-diaryl-2-isopropylidene-3-methylenecyclopropane (DIMCP) with C, N-diarylnitrone. (2024)
- Exploring the peri- and stereoselectivities of the cycloaddition reactions of 2-(2-dimethylaminovinyl)-1-benzopyran-4-one with N-phenylmaleimide (NPM) and dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD)- A DFT study. (2023)
Teaching
- Teaching Assistant – Purdue University
- Teaching Assistant – KNUST
- Teaching Staff
SELECTED ACADEMIC HONORS AND AWARDS
Certificate for successful completion of Every Boilermaker Engineer Codes (EBEC) Entry-Level Programming in Python, College of Engineering, Purdue University (April 2025), Certificate of participation in National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) (January 2016), Certificate of participation in Science, Technology, Mathematics, Innovation, and Engineering (STMIE) congress (August 2015), Best Chemistry Student Award (October 2015)
Conferences
- Conference: Photosynthesis Gordon Research Conference, Poster Presentation. (July-August 2025)
- Conference: 54th Midwest Theoretical Chemistry Conference (MWTCC), Poster Presentation. (May 2025)
- Poster Presentation: Presented on my PhD research titled “Computational Mutagenesis: Investigating Single-point Mutation Effects on the Optical Spectroscopy of the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) pigment-protein complex.”, Turkey Run Photosynthesis conference. (October 2024)
- Conference: Volunteered in the organization of the QSTEP conference for Quantum Science at Purdue. (September 2024)
- Poster Presentation: Presented on “A DFT study on exploring the peri- and stereoselectivities of the cycloaddition reactions of 2-(2-dimethylaminovinyl)-1-benzopyran-4-one with N-phenylmaleimide (NPM) and dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD)”, Posterfest 2022, Department of Chemistry, KNUST, Kumasi-Ghana. (July 2022)
- Oral Presentation: Presented on ab-initio methods and their applications in a computational chemistry setting, Theoretical and Computational lab. (May 2022)
- Oral Presentation: Presented on “the chemistry behind food allergies” on an online platform chaired by Professor Marian Asantewaa Nkansah. (January 2021)