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The very nature of science is discoveries, and the best of those discoveries are the ones you don’t expect.

-Neil deGrasse Tyson

Welcome to

The Saint-Louis Research Laboratory

Mission
The Saint-Louis Lab designs light-responsive and functional organic molecules that advance sensing, smart materials, and controlled molecular release. We bridge fundamental chemistry with real-world applications while training the next generation of scientists through hands-on, discovery-driven research.

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GROUP NEWS

  • Three adults standing indoors and smiling; the person in the center holds a clear glass award while the two others stand on either side in a classroom setting

    Spring 2026 – Dr. Saint-Louis was awarded the 2025-2026 Outstanding Early Career Faculty Award for excellence in teaching, research, and service, highlighting his potential to make lasting academic contributions.

  • Fall 2025 – Saint-Louis lab publication has been featured on the front cover of Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry. For more details, you can visit the link.

    Cover of the journal Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry showing glowing 3D molecular structures on a dark background, with interconnected atoms and electric-like effects illustrating chemical interactions
    Screenshot of a news article with the headline ‘Kennesaw State researcher nominated to NSF center, wins American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Funds award,’ alongside a photo of a smiling researcher in a white lab coat standing next to laboratory equipment

    Summer 2025 – Dr. Saint-Louis has been selected to join the prestigious NSF Center for Computer-Assisted Synthesis (C-CAS) and the Data Chemist Network (DCN) and received the ACS-PRF Undergraduate New Investigator Award. For more details, you can visit the link

  • A scientist wearing a white lab coat and safety goggles sits at a laboratory bench, holding a notebook and pen, with flasks of blue and green liquid and chemistry equipment arranged on the counter

    Spring 2025 – We are grateful to Kennesaw State University for recognizing Lilianna Kocai, a sophomore from our research lab, for her accomplishments. Her achievements showcase her exceptional potential, and we are confident that she will continue to achieve great things in the future. For more details, you can visit the link

  • Fall 2024 – Dr. Saint-Louis received the Apex Award from Kennesaw State University, which recognizes his outstanding achievements and contributions to research and scholarship as one of the top researchers in the College of Science and Mathematics at KSU. Go OWLS🦉!!!

    A smiling man in a blazer stands in an office holding a framed certificate of excellence, with awards, diplomas, and books displayed on the wall and shelves behind him

  • A young researcher stands smiling beside a large scientific poster displayed on a conference board, presenting chemistry research at an academic poster session

    Fall 2024 – Congratulations to undergraduate student, Lilianna Kocai, for placing second-runner up out of hundreds of poster presenters at the KSU Symposium of Student Scholars. Well deserved!

  • Fall 2024 – Congratulations to Jacob Erasmus for being highlighted by Kennesaw State University for his hard work after returning from a summer internship at at Cumberland-based CP Kelco, a company that makes natural and organic ingredients for foods and home supplies. For more details, you can visit the link

    A smiling student wearing a lab coat, safety goggles, and gloves operates laboratory glassware and equipment at a chemistry bench under blue lighting
  • A faculty member in academic regalia stands between two graduates in caps and gowns holding diploma covers during an outdoor graduation event

    Spring 2024 – Congratulations to Albert and Ophelia for graduating from my research laboratory with their Master’s Degree in Chemical Sciences. Their hard work and perseverance have paid off. The sky’s the limit.

  • Spring 2024– Congratulations to Ra’Nya Malone on receiving both the Sophomore Undergraduate Research Award and the Undergraduate Research Award in Organic Chemistry. We are proud of you! Well done!

  • Spring 2024– Congratulations to Ophelia Adjei-sah on receiving the Valor Award and successfully defending her Master’s thesis on April 25, 2024! Great results come from hard work! Well done!

  • Spring 2024– Congratulations to Albert D. Campbell for successfully defending his Master’s thesis defense on April 19, 2024! Your hard work and perseverance have paid off. Congratulations!

  • A student wearing a black blazer and white blouse stands indoors at a professional or academic event with display boards in the background.

    Spring 2024- Congratulations to first-year college student Lilianna Kocai for being accepted to present her research at National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in April 2024. This is a big accomplishment for a first-year college student since acceptance is mainly reserved for rising seniors.

  • Spring 2024- Ra’Nya Malone has been acknowledged for excelling as a sophomore biochemistry major at KSU. For more details, you can visit this link.

    A student in a white lab coat stands in a science laboratory with equipment in the background; a quote about opportunities at Kennesaw State University is displayed on the lower half of the image.
  • A graduate in black and gold regalia stands in front of a Kennesaw State University branded backdrop, wearing honor cords and a medal

    Fall 2023-Congratulations to Robert Hughley for being accepted into the Ph.D. program at Georgia Institute of Technology. Best wishes for a successful journey ahead!

  • Summer 2023– Congratulations to Ra’Nya Malone!! Ra’Nya accepted an offer to join the Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program at The University of Connecticut (UCONN) this summer. Out of hundreds who applied, UCONN only accepted 5 undergraduate students from all over the US. Go Ra’Nya!!! This prestigious program funded by NSF expose undergraduate students from primarily non-Ph.D. granting institutions to a stimulating research environment. Participants will gain knowledge of the fundamentals of scientific research, experience the rewards of discovery, practice both verbal and written communication of research results, and secure a foundation for making informed decisions regarding future careers. Go Nya! You are going to do great and good luck on this exciting experience. 

    A person wearing a green athletic jersey leans forward on a wooden railing in front of a building with large windows.

  • Fall 2022-Congratulations to Kaia Ellis for earning her bachelors’s degree in Biochemistry!! Congratulations on your well-deserved success! Great results come from hard work. Well done!

    A graduate wearing a black dress and cap holds a diploma cover while standing outdoors on a campus walkway.
  • A researcher in a white lab coat and blue gloves holds a small device while a bright green glowing vial sits on a platform in a laboratory with colorful lighting.

    Summer 2022-Congratulations to Kaia!! Kaia accepted an offer to join the Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program at Northeastern University in Boston this summer. This prestigious program funded by NSF provides undergraduate students the opportunities to experience and discuss catalysis across the spectrum, from small molecule catalysts to enzymes. Out of hundreds who applied, Northeastern University only accepted 9 undergraduate students from all over the US. Go Kaia! You are going to do great and good luck on this exciting experience. Kaia was also highlighted by Kennesaw State University for her accomplishments. Link:Kennesaw State senior earns spot in exclusive chemistry research program

  • Dr. Saint-Louis was featured in the Marietta Daily Journal for his commitment to mentoring first-generation and historically underrepresented students at KSU.

    A webpage from Kennesaw State University showing a professor working in a laboratory beside a headline about fulfilling his dream at his alma mater.

  • A graduate in a cap, gown, and gold stole holds a diploma cover while standing next to a professor in academic regalia during an evening graduation ceremony.

    Congratulations to Albert for earning his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. He was awarded a prestigious fellowship “Peach State Bridges to the Doctorate Program” to earn his master’s degree at KSU with the intent to transition to doctoral programs at major research universities. Albert will be returning to the Saint-Louis lab in Fall 2022 to work on developing photolabile groups (PPGs) with a diagnostic fluorescent by-product. Congratulations on your well-deserved success! We are excited to see the great things you will continue to do at KSU. Spring 2022.

  • Dr. Saint-Louis was highlighted as Faculty in Focus in the Kennesaw State University Magazine Spring 2022 Issue. His accomplishments during the 2022 academic year were also highlighted. Link: Faculty in Focus

    A magazine page featuring a professor in a white lab coat and gloves next to an article describing his journey and work at Kennesaw State University.

  • Spring 2022 Semester– Congratulations to undergraduate student researcher, Samuel Moore, for receiving the Merck Index Award this semester at KSU. The Merck Index Award is awarded to undergraduate students that performed outstandingly in organic chemistry. Good job Sam! We expect great things from you in the future!

    A student in a light blue checkered shirt shakes hands with a presenter wearing red pants and a plaid shirt while receiving a certificate in a classroom or event space.
  • A graduate in a black cap and gown holds a diploma while standing next to a faculty member in academic regalia at an outdoor graduation ceremony.

    Congratulations to graduate student researcher, Robert Hughley, on earning his Master’s Degree in Chemical Sciences during the Fall 2021 semester! “Caps off to you, Graduate! Well done!”

  • A formal announcement document congratulating NSF LEAPS-MPS award recipients, featuring the NSF logo and program description text.

    Fall 2021 – The Saint-Louis Research Group has been awarded a prestigious NSF LEAPS-MPS 2021 Award ($249,604). The intent of this award is to initiate the research careers of pre-tenure faculty in tenure-track positions, particularly those at Minority Serving Institutions. This award supports innovative plans for recruiting and retaining a broad representation of researchers and to increase opportunities for all scientists including those from groups underrepresented in Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

  • A promotional flyer for the SERMACS chemistry conference lists distinguished speakers and symposium topics with small headshots arranged along the sides.

    Dr. Saint-Louis was invited as a distinguished speaker to present his research on “Photo Electroswitchable Arylaminazobenzenes” at SERMACS at Birmingham, AL (November 13, 2021)

  • Two individuals dressed in professional attire stand beside a door labeled “459” with a sign reading “Dr. Saint-Louis Laboratory

    May 4th, 2021 – Congratulations to graduate student researcher, Robert Hughley, on successfully presenting his research thesis for approval. Robert is now a candidate to graduate with his MS degree on December 2021.

  • A student in a blue button-down shirt and khaki pants stands outdoors with arms crossed near a metal railing and brick building.

    April 2021 – Congratulations to undergraduate researcher, Samuel Moore, for being awarded funds from the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Program (URCA) to start his research project.

    -Funding Source: The office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) at KSU.

  • The Saint-Louis Research Group has recently been awarded The 2020 Mentor Protégé Research Program Funding Award (2020-2021).

    – Funding Source: The College of Science and Mathematics (CSM) at KSU