Assistant Professor Leila Deravi, a member of the chemistry faculty, has secured a $232,343 grant over 18 months from the U.S. Army Research Office.

The grant is to support her project entitled, “Molecular Contributions to Coloration in Cephalopod Chromatophores for Bio-inspired Photonic Systems.” The objective of the research is to better understand the molecular structure contributions to visible coloration in cephalopods. The structural-functional relationship of the chromatophore pigment granules will be investigated and then results will be used to develop synthetic high-refractive index (HRI) granules that could be utilized in biophotonic systems to afford thinner form factors.

Learn more about Dr. Deravi’s research on her lab website.

Leila Deravi, assistant professor of chemistry and chemical biology