It didn’t take long for Ian J. Rhile, Ph.D., to notice Joseph Polinski ’09 as a freshman with great potential in chemistry. Despite Polinski’s freshman status, Rhile invited him to collaborate on research over the summer.

“I was thrilled when Dr. Rhile asked me to work on research,” says Polinski, who spent the summer surrounded by chemicals, test tubes and thick texts including Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. “My project is organic chemistry based, and I haven’t taken organic chemistry yet. Dr. Rhile instructed me about two hours a day during the summer.”

Rhile, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, says he recognized Polinski’s natural ability in chemistry and encouraged his progress through the research experience.

“I taught Joe two chemistry classes his freshman year,” says Rhile. “His talent was quite apparent. He did top notch work in each class.”

Rhile and Christian S. Hamann, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, guided Polinski through his project, “Synthesis of a Stable Hydrogen-Bonded Phenoxyl Radical.”

“What we are trying to do is make a radical,” says Polinski, of Sayre, Pa., a biology major who plans to attend medical school. “A radical is a species with an atom that has one unpaired electron. They are usually very reactive.”

The collaborators are interested in learning how hydrogen bonding changes the properties of the radical, especially structural properties, Rhile says. While Polinski did not create the radical yet, he made significant progress toward his goal and will continue the research.

“We encourage students at all levels to apply for the Albright Creative Research Experience (ACRE),” says Hamann. “Joe courageously stepped up to the challenge, and Ian and I provided the academic support so that he could understand what he was doing and enjoy an authentic research experience.”

Polinski is now studying organic chemistry with other sophomores, as well as some juniors and seniors.

“I can’t say enough about Dr. Rhile and Dr. Hamann,” says Polinski. “They are both brilliant in their field, and they have taken me under their wing. It is great to learn from people who really care about what we are doing.”

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