Lecturer, Physical Chemistry

The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Telephone: 868-662-2002 Ext 82272

Email: lorale.lalgee@uwi.edu


Research Interests

My research integrates computational chemistry, biophysical chemistry and spectroscopy to address challenges in molecular transport and drug design, sustainable materials, and green chemistry. A central focus lies in the synthesis, characterization, and computational analysis of novel cyclodextrin/carbohydrate derivatives for diverse applications such as drug delivery, ion transport, and green plasticizers. My research projects combine spectroscopic and thermodynamic techniques such as NMR, Fluorescence, AFM, Langmuir monolayers, DLS / Zeta potential and calorimetry (DSC, TGA, ITC); with Computational methods like DFT, Molecular Dynamics Simulations, and Molecular docking; to explore structural behavior, stability, and binding affinities.

I am also interested in the development of slow-release fertilizers from sustainable materials, as well as the production and evaluation of applications of biochar. Other areas of research include green chemistry applications such as the evaluation of liquefied dimethyl ether (DME) as a green solvent for pharmaceutically important reactions and the extraction of nutraceuticals.

Selected Publications

Mohammed, C.; *Lalgee, L.J.; Kistow, M.; Jalsa, N.K.; Ward, K. On the Binding Affinity and Thermodynamics of Sodium Alginate-Heavy Metal Ion Interactions for Efficient Adsorption. Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications, 2022, 100203. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2022.10020.

Subratti, A.; Vidal, J. L., Lalgee, L.J.; Kerton, F. M., Jalsa, N.K. Preparation and characterization of biochar derived from the fruit seed of Cedrela odorata L and evaluation of its adsorption capacity with methylene blue. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 2021, 21, 100421. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.scp.2021.100421.

Subratti, A.; *Lalgee, L.J.; Jalsa, N.K. Synthesis and interfacial properties of glyco-lipophosphoramidates. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 2021, 611, 125867. DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2020.125867.

Subratti, A.; Lalgee, L.J.; Jalsa, N.K. Liquified dimethyl ether (DME): A green solvent for the extraction of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy 2019, 12, 100144-100150.

Subratti, A.; Lalgee, L.J.; Jalsa, N.K. Robust, efficient, and economical magnetic stirrer: A device based on pulsed width modulation, built using mainly recycled parts. Journal of Chemical Education 2019. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b00395.

Provisional Patent

Roopnarine, R.; Lalgee, L.J.; Jalsa, N.K. (2026). Cyclodextrin Ester Plasticizer Compositions, Plasticized Polymer Compositions, and Methods of Plasticizing Thermoplastic Polymers. U.S. Provisional Patent Serial No. 64/065,432.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. Chemistry (with High Commendations), The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (2012)
  • BSc. Chemistry and Management, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (2004)

Fellowships and Training

  • UWI Research Supervisor Development Course, The UWI Global Campus (2025)
  • PG Certificate in University Teaching and Learning, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (2018)
  • Postdoctoral Researcher, - The functional characterization and effect of substrate binding on CymA of Klebsiella oxytoca using planar lipid bilayer electrophysiology, Constructor University (formerly Jacobs University), Bremen, Germany (2013)

Professional Experience

  • Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (2019–present)
  • Member of the Academic Committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Chemistry Olympiad (TTChO, 2019 – present)
  • Treasurer - Trinidad and Tobago Chemical Society (TTChS, launched May 2021)
  • Reviewer for RSC Sustainability, Pure and Applied Chemistry, Arabian Journal of Chemistry

Honours and Awards

  • HERizon: CARICOM Women Shaping STEAM awardee (2025) https://youtu.be/mfKxyoPKa14?si=Qdbxc8Y2TwjJXLNh

UWI Service

  • Department Representative, Standing Committees of Faculty Board – Examination Quality Assurance Committee (EQAC), Timetable, Graduate Studies and Research
  • Member of Departmental Committees – Timetable, Trinidad and Tobago Chemistry Olympiad, Outreach, Curriculum Review, Undergraduate Liaison
  • Member of Postgraduate Student Advisory Board (Department of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering)

Professional Memberships

  • Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC)
  • American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • Biochemical Society
  • Biophysical Society (BPS)
  • Trinidad and Tobago Chemical Society (TTChS)

Courses Taught

  • CHEM 1067 (Introduction to Chemistry II)
  • CHEM 1068 (Introduction to Chemistry III)
  • CHEM 2370 (Physical Chemistry I)
  • CHEM 3370 (Physical Chemistry II)
  • CHEM 3564 (Principles of Polymer Chemistry)
  • CHEM 3670 (Research Project for Chemistry Majors)
  • CHEM 3870 (Principles of Chemical Biology)
  • CHEM 3871 (Methods in Chemical Biology)
  • CHEM 6461 (Advanced Topics in Bioanalytical Chemistry)
  • CHEM 6560 (Introduction to Research Techniques in Chemistry)

Research Projects

  • Molecular modelling and physicochemical characterization of carbohydrate-based synthetic ion channels
  • Development of environmentally friendly, slow-release fertilizers.
  • Synthesis and evaluation of novel Carbohydrate-based plasticizers
  • Evaluation of Dimethyl Ether as a green solvent
  • Synthesis, characterization and computational studies of novel cyclodextrin derivatives and analogues

Graduate Students

  • Jasmine Ramhit, Co-supervised with Dr. Nigel K. Jalsa (Awarded M.Phil, 2026)
  • Gabriel Rique (M.Phil, 2023 – Present)
  • Ricardo Roopnarine (M.Phil, 2023 – Present)
  • Prithivi Dharamdass, Co-supervised with Dr. Nigel K. Jalsa (M.Phil, 2023 – Present)
  • Valentina Jerry (M.Phil, 2022 – Present)
  • Nayika Mohan (M.Phil, 2022 – Present)
  • M.Sc. Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health: Successfully completed (2)

Grants

  • Synthesis and Characterization of Straight Chain Cyclodextrin Analogues, Project Funding Campus Research and Publication, Graduate student fund TT $17,500 (2024)
  • Evaluation of Dimethyl Ether as a green solvent for the conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass into high value commodities. Project Funding Campus Research and Publication Fund, Graduate student fund TT $17,500 (2024)
  • Acetylation of Honey as a Method for the Identification of Carbohydrate-based Adulterants. Project Funding Campus Research and Publication Fund, Graduate student fund TT $17,500 (2024)
  • The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Research Fund grant, Development of N-linked Cyclodextrin analogues. Principal Investigator, Project Funding TT $ 36,000 (2023)
  • Supramolecular Chemistry - the Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Natural-Origin Macrocycles. Principal Investigator. Project Funding Campus Research and Publication Fund TT $75,000 (2022)

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