FRI Chemistry Stream

Supra Sensors

analytical chemistry, chemometrics, differential sensing, metabolomics, peptide chemistry

our research

Our Research


The Supra Sensors stream focuses on the use of analytical chemistry, sensing methods and chemometrics to detect and classify biological samples of interest such as wine, grapevine leaves, berries, seaweed, and identify relevant metabolites with an emphasis on understanding how environmental factors may impact their chemical composition.

Supra Sensors Research Areas

  • differential sensing of wine
  • fingerprinting Texas Wines
  • metabolomics

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scientist

Our Strategy


Students interested in learning different types of chemistry such as organic chemistry, quantitative chemical analysis and peptide chemistry will gain experience in the synthesis of peptides, sensing methods, applying different types of analytical methods and instrumentation, and chemometrics (chemical statistics). Researchers also develop transferable skills, such as time management, communication, and teamwork that are beneficial for academics and career-readiness.

Supra Sensors researchers learn how to:

  • identify and draw molecular structures of organic compounds.
  • design and synthesize peptide-based sensors.
  • purify and characterize sensors and metabolites (e.g., liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
  • implement differential sensing methods.
  • quantify sensor-analyte interactions (e.g., absorption and mass spectrometry).
  • process and analyze univariate and multivariate datasets using regression methods and chemometrics/machine learning.
research impact

Our Impact


Analytical sensing methods such as differential sensing and metabolomics have become powerful tools to classify complex biological samples and study their chemical composition. Our goal for this stream is to continue using these analytical methods, determining similarities or differences amongst these samples, screening their chemical composition, and potentially identifying new biomarkers according to their geographical origin.

We are grateful for support from our partnership with the UT Wine Initiative (UTWI), The Yates Family, and our seed sponsors:

Our Team


Profile image of Diana Zamora-Olivares

Diana Zamora-Olivares

  • Assistant Professor of Practice
  • Freshman Research Initiative
  • College of Natural Sciences
Profile image of Eric Anslyn

Eric Anslyn

  • Professor
  • Chemistry

Resources


Course Credit
Research Outcomes

*undergraduate researcher