WWU Chemistry students Kayla Fugami and Gabriel Black publish paper on nitrogen coupling

Two Western students, Kayla Fugami and Gabriel Black, alongside Professors of Chemistry Tim Kowalczyk and John Gilbertson and Professor of Physics Takele Seda, have published their research on nitrous oxide, a leading cause of ozone depletion. Their research could provide insight into how to remove harmful nitrogenous pollutants from water sources — pollutants that contribute to excessive algae growth, decreased oxygen levels and potential health risks for humans and animals, such as fish kills.

The paper, which focuses on nitrogen coupling and how N-N bonds are formed, was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society in February. Fugami, a chemistry graduate student, and biochemistry junior Black were first and second authors on the paper, respectively, meaning they contributed the most research to the project. 

“While it is not rare for students working in the Chemistry Department to be first or second authors on papers, it is rare to have a paper published in JACS,” Gilbertson said.  “It is the American Chemical Society's flagship journal.  Typically, papers need to be of the highest quality and be applicable to a broad readership.”

For Fugami and Black, publishing in the journal was a dream come true.

“The Journal of American Chemical Society is a highly respected journal, and it was a goal I never even dreamed of achieving. I am grateful to have about four years of research beautifully displayed to the scientific community,” Fugami said. “BIS32 is the name of the complex showcased in the paper, and it would not be an exaggeration when I refer to it as ‘my baby.’”

Black shared in Fugami’s enthusiasm and hopes the publication credit will open up more opportunities for him in the future.

“Being a second author on a paper published in a journal as big as JACS is just unbelievably exciting to say the least,” Black agreed. “Publications like this boost your reputation within the scientific community, and they provide a big benefit in future applications to graduate institutions and jobs.”

Gilbertson described the work Fugami and Black did as “fundamental,” and said their research can have wide applications.

“N-N bond formation is vital to our understanding in the conversion of NOx species to N2,” Gilbertson said. “These fundamental studies may one day lead to more efficient catalytic converters in your car for example, or for systems to convert waste gases into inert or useful products.”

An average day in the lab included analyzing data collected from a sample, maintaining a safe and clean lab, and setting up experiments — the most exciting part of the work, Fugami said.

“New experiments are always exciting because you never know what will happen. An educated guess can be made but I tend to be pleasantly surprised by my results,” she said. “I love seeing new colors in our reactions.”

For Black, working in a lab taught him a lot about effective time management and how to be patient with his work. 

“You often don't immediately know the answers to questions you have in lab, and digging into the literature is often how you find answers. As a scientist, I have learned how to improve my technique and comfort in a working lab environment, and I have learned so much about how to work as a part of a team to accomplish a collective goal,” he said. “Really, the experience in research has been life-changing for me.”

Fugami agreed, saying she would spend weeks dedicated to finding the best solvent for an experiment, which often proved to be not only the least glamorous step in completing an experiment but also the most difficult.

“Working in the lab, I learned the true meaning of rigor in science. Research is difficult because you're working with something that is not fully understood, which is what makes it interesting,” she said.

Fugami also emphasized that the research would not be possible without the strength of her lab group. 

“Some of my key experiments relied on past notebooks [from previous lab members] that saved me months of work. It demonstrates that no work is done by one person. Behind the published authors there are countless scientists that also made some kind of a contribution,” she said. “I say my research, but it really is our research.”

Black shared in Fugami’s sentiment.

“Above any practical implications, on a personal level, I am tremendously satisfied to have worked on this paper and so grateful to all of my colleagues in this lab, especially my research partner, Kayla Fugami,” he said. “Papers like this take a lot of effort from many people, and I am honored to have been a part of it!”

To learn more about the research being done on nitrogen and greenhouse gas emissions as part of the Gilbertson Lab, visit John Gilbertson’s webpage.

Mikayla King (‘17) covers the College of Science and Engineering and Woodring College of Education for University Communications. Reach out to her with story ideas at kingm24@wwu.edu.