The MSPIRE program has afforded me exposure to a broad range of mass spectrometric applications, both domestically and abroad. In 2009, I was at the Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics (AMOLF) in Amsterdam studying implementation of matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) with mass spectrometry for biomolecular imaging of various tissue samples. We also studied the efficacy of TiO₂ coatings on inducing ionization in laser desorption ionization experiments. During the same summer, I visited the FOM Institute-Rijnhuizen during my stay in Holland and learned about their free electron laser coupled to a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. My work at the University of Florida consists primarily of investigating carbohydrate structures by means of infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IRMPD) using a CO₂ laser. We have applied FT-ICR mass spectrometry with IRMPD to generate high quality mass spectra for various types of analyses.

Figure. Action spectrum of protonated digylme generated using a CO₂ laser for inducing IRMPD. This spectrum shows maximal absorption at 982 cm^-1 and almost no absorption at 978 cm^-1. Using the equation ln[(P_t+F_t)/P_t]/power, photodissociation yield was plotted against irradiation wavelength in wavenumbers.

One project used the aforementioned techniques coupled with data mining for developing a useful method for carbohydrate anomer differentiation of various lithiated disaccharides. We have also studied systems with intramolecular hydrogen bonding and proton bridges using the model species protonated diglyme. This study also provided familiarization with ab initio calculations by studying the differences between theoretical and experimental spectra.