Nasri Nesnas, PhD

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Florida Institute of Technology

Title: Illuminating Pathways: Light Activated Processes for Neurological Applications

Abstract: Lessons learned from nature’s ability to absorb light and activate pathways have enabled research with far-reaching impact. This presentation will discuss the concept of animal vision and its inspiration for the development of optogenetics and the photorelease of neural agonists. Progress in the design and synthesis of photoactivatable protecting groups will be presented, highlighting a broad spectrum of applications, including understanding memory, regulating calcium ion concentration, and photoinitiated organocatalysis.