wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/poc

PROFILE: Early Excellence inPhysical Organic Chemistry

(wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI: 10.1002/poc.3299 Published online in Wiley Online Library

Malika Jeffries-ELDate of birth: March 2, 1974Position: Associate Professor, Iowa State UniversityE-mail: malikaj@iastate.eduHomepage: http://www.chem.iastate.edu/faculty/Malika_Jeffries-EL/Education: BS, Wellesley College (1996, Wellesley, MA)

PhD (2002, Prof. Richard M. Tarkka, “Synthesis and Characterization of Conjugated Polymers Using A-BMonomers,” The George Washington University Washington, DC)Postdoctoral studies (2002–2005, Professor Richard D. McCullough, Carnegie Mellon University,Pittsburgh, PA)

Awards: ACS-Women Chemists Committee Rising Star Award (2012), National Science Foundation (NSF)CAREER Award (2009), National Organization of Black Chemist and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)Lloyd N. Ferguson Young Scientist Award (2009), 3M Untenured Faculty Award, Science SpectrumMagazine Emerald Honors (2006)

CurrentresearchInterests:

Our program focuses on the development of conjugated polymers for use in organic semiconductingapplications such as organic photovoltaic cells and light emitting diodes. We are interested in thesynthesis of materials with desirable attributes such as efficient electron transport, variable energylevels and/or variable band gaps. To accomplish these goals we have focused on the developmentof efficient methods for the synthesis of novel electron-rich and electron-deficient heterocycles.We also employ theoretical methods to aid in our discovery processes and detailed studies toenhance the understanding of the materials structure its properties.

Hobbies: Scrapbooking and Cross Fit

The holygrail in modern chemistry is … the development of new chemistries and methods for the efficient synthesis of complex moleculeswithout the formation of toxic byproducts, or the use of large amounts of solvent.

The biggest problem that young scientists face is … the reality that we have to do more science with less money.

I chose chemistry as a career because … I have always been curious about how things work and what happens when you mix stuff together.

If I were not a scientist, I would be … a lawyer, I have always liked to argue and I find the complexity of our laws intriguing.

The most important thing I learned from my parents is … to never let a lack of money be a barrier to achieving one’s dreams.

The most influential scientist in my career is … Dr. Mae Jemision, she was the first scientist I had ever seen who looked like me.

If a genie granted me three wishes, I would … wish for money, health, and a world where people were judged by their abilities andaccomplishments not the color of their skin.

My favorite means of escape is… to travel some place where I don’t speak the language.

The most surprising thing I’ve realized since starting my career in academics is… that I have to wear many hats, scientist, teacher, councillor,and coach.

The room where I spend most my time at home is … my living room. I have a very comfortable couch and a basket of snacks under thecoffee table.

My most amusing chemistry experience thus far was … the time I set up an oxidation reaction by first placing the dry ingredients (chromicacid and my substrate) into a flask. I then walked across the lab to get the sulfuric acid, just in time to miss the violent reaction with a flash offire took place in my hood.

Using only three words, I would describe myself as… passionate, persistent, and generous.

My favorite author or book is … The Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker.

My favorite drink is … a Starbucks chai tea latte with a vanilla shot.

My favorite food is … fried chicken and if you ask around here they will tell you I am good at making it.

Malika Jeffries-EL

The experimental study oforganic materials alwaysstarts with synthesis, andthe Jeffries-EL Groupuses clever design andefficient syntheticmethodsto assemble new organicsemiconductors. Prof.Jeffries-EL was promotedto Associate Professorin 2012 at Iowa StateUniversity, USA.

J. Phys. Org. Chem. 2014, 9999 Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

My 3 top papers:

1. “An Efficient Synthesis of 2,6-Disubstituted Benzobisoxazoles: NewBuilding Blocks for Organic Semiconductors,” J. Mike, A. Makowski,M. Jeffries-EL, Org. Lett. 2008, 10, 4915–4918. This paper is importantbecause it presents a new method for the synthesis of functionalbenzobisoxazoles. This enabled the synthesis of a number of newconjugated polymers.

2. “Altering the Conjugation Pathway for Improved Performance ofBenzobisoxazole-Based Polymer Guest Emitters in PLEDs,” J.Intemann, E. Hellerich, B. Tlach, M. Ewan, C. Barnes, A. Bhuwalka,M. Cai, J. Shinar, R. Shinar and M. Jeffries-EL, Macromolecules2012, 45, 6888–6897. This paper reports a series of polymers,

including a blue-light emitting material. The efficiency of thesepolymers is significantly greater than related isomeric materials.This is a unique example of the use of cross-conjugation to alterthe properties of a conjugated polymer.

3. “Influence of heteroatoms on photovoltaic performance of donor-acceptor copolymers based on 2,6-di(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b’]difurans and diketopyrrolopyrrole,” B. Kobilka, B. Hale, M. Ewan.A. Dubrovskiy, T. Nelson, V. Duzhko, M. Jeffries-EL, Polym. Chem.2013, 4, 5329–5336. This is one of my favorite papers as the materialswere easy to prepare in high yields, the device properties are good,and the graphical abstract is fun.

M. JEFFRIES-EL

wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/poc Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. J. Phys. Org. Chem. 2014, 9999