David Dearden, a professor in the BYU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, is doing foundational work in the field of analytical chemistry.
Dearden is a scholar in the field of mass spectrometry. Spectrometers are tools that help scientists analyze the properties of different chemicals.
Most spectrometry labs focus on large molecules, such as proteins or peptides. Dearden and Sudam Mane, a graduate student in his lab, are focusing on small molecules. Their goal is to establish a baseline that will provide valuable insights for other scientists.
"I always feel that, yes, we are doing something good for humanity," Mane said.
Dearden conducted small-molecule experiments to test an instrument he bought second-hand while at the University of Texas at Arlington.
He presented his findings at a meeting for the American Society for Mass Spectrometry. The audience's strong interest in his research surprised him.
Dearden felt divinely guided to study small molecules in spectrometry, he said.
"I collected my poster, got in the car to go home and I had a revelation, I really did," Dearden said. "And this prompting came to me over and over (for) 700 miles, and it kept saying, 'Drop the polymer chemistry and study molecular recognition in the gas phase.'"
Dearden also loves working with students and helping them learn about chemistry, he said.