Chemistry Student Wins Ford Foundation Fellowship

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Felix M. Rivas, a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry in the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, has received a three-year Ford Foundation fellowship.

The fellowship will provide Rivas, an organic chemist, with an annual stipend of $14,000 and a $7,500 cost-of-education allowance to UB. The award is administered by the National Research Council.

Research conducted by Rivas and his adviser, Steven T. Diver, Ph.D., UB assistant professor of chemistry, focuses on developing new methods and catalysts to connect carbon-carbon bonds based on nucleophilic carbenes.

The catalysts and methodology ultimately may lead to new medicines, pesticides, plant and animal hormones, fabrics, cosmetics and other products used in the auto, aircraft and computer industries.

Organic chemistry deals with the study and formation of molecules containing mainly atoms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous, halogen and boron.

Rivas is active in UB's Graduate Chemistry Club, which organizes projects to introduce and encourage UB and community students to explore careers in chemistry.

A resident of North Tonawanda, Rivas earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey.