Project Grant 2400359

This $575,000 Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049) supports a collaborative research project led by Professors Keary Engle of the Scripps Research Institute and Peng Liu of the University of Pittsburgh. The project focuses on developing new chemical reactions using earth-abundant nickel catalysts to efficiently synthesize valuable compounds, including medicinally relevant molecules, agrochemicals, and functional materials. The research combines experimental, computational, and machine learning approaches to optimize these multi-component coupling reactions and train a diverse group of students. The award also supports outreach efforts to promote engagement with science and technology among underrepresented populations, including implementing virtual reality and other technologies to teach chemical concepts. This collaborative project leverages the expertise of the Engle and Liu research labs to advance the scientific understanding and practical applications of these transformative synthetic methods.