Olga
Lavinda
Stern College for Women | Yeshiva University
Office: 549, Chemistry Department
245 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Olga Lavinda is a chemistry professor at Yeshiva University whose research integrates chemometrics, analytical chemistry, structural biology, and artificial intelligence to address real-world scientific problems. Her work focuses on validation-first AI: building predictive models that withstand experimental scrutiny before use in decision-making.
Her analytical chemistry research applies machine learning to food authenticity, adulteration detection, and quality monitoring using accessible instrumentation, including near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and RGB colorimetry. Current projects include detecting adulterants in spices, oils, and syrups; developing low-cost sensor systems for fermentation monitoring; and constructing validated predictive models from noisy, field-generated data.
In parallel, Dr. Lavinda applies AlphaFold3 and computational modeling to structural biology, refining and validating her 2021 model of the tyrosinase–TYRP1–TYRP2 metalloenzyme complex against current biological evidence. This work bridges analytical chemistry, protein modeling, and AI-driven structural validation.
Dr. Lavinda teaches Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, and Essentials of Chemistry – a clinically framed course designed for nursing and pre-health students. Her teaching integrates AI literacy as a scientific competency, preparing students to critically evaluate computational tools in research and clinical contexts. She serves as Course Coordinator with emphasis on curriculum development and instrumentation implementation.
Dr. Olga Lavinda is Faculty Advisor for the Yeshiva University American Chemical Society student chapter, hosting monthly events on scientific careers, women in science, and undergraduate research.
Eugene M. Farber Award — Society for Investigative Dermatology, 2018
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NIH NRSA) — NIH, 2017 & 2019
Henry M. MacCracken Fellowship — New York University, 2011
Kramer Stipend for Outstanding Incoming Student — New York University, 2011
CUNY Pipeline Stipend for Outstanding Academic Achievement, 2010
Award in Recognition of Outstanding Academic Achievement — Golden Key International Honour Society, 2009
Selected Presentations & Invited Talks
Invited Talk — MolSoft ICM User Group Meeting, San Diego, CA, November 2018
Invited Talk — Naval Research Laboratories, Washington DC, April 2016
Invited Poster — Regeneron, Tarrytown, NY, June 2018
Montagna Symposium on the Biology of Skin, Gleneden Beach, OR, October 2018
21st Annual Dermatology & Cutaneous Biology Research Day, New York, NY, April 2019
20th Annual Dermatology & Cutaneous Biology Research Day, New York, NY, April 2018
42nd National Organic Chemistry Symposium, Princeton University, NJ, June 2011
240th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Boston, MA, August 2010
New York Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Conference, CUNY, January 2010
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xJULhsYAAAAJ&hl=en
Ramig et al. incl. Lavinda. Thermochromicity in Wool Dyed with 6-Bromoindigo. Heritage 2023, 6, 672–680.
Lavinda, Witt, Woerpel. Stereoelectronic Model for Seven-Membered-Ring Oxocarbenium-Ion Intermediates. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202114183.
Lavinda, Manga, Orlow, Cardozo. Biophysical Compatibility of a Heterotrimeric Tyrosinase-TYRP1-TYRP2 Complex. Frontiers in Pharmacology 2021, 12, 354.
Lough, Sherman, Becerra-Flores, Lavinda et al. Triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidines as GCN2 Kinase Inhibitors Reduce Growth of Leukemia Cells. Comput. Struct. Biotechnol. J. 2018, 16, 350–360.
Ramig, Islamova, Scalise, Karimi, Lavinda et al. Effect of Light and Dye Composition on Tyrian Purple Components. Struct. Chem. 2017, 28, 1553–1561.
Beaver, Buscagan, Lavinda, Woerpel. Stereoelectronic Model for Seven-Membered-Ring Reactions. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 1816–1819.
Ramig, Lavinda et al. Nature of Thermochromic Effects in Indigo and Bromoindigo Dyeings. Dyes and Pigments 2015, 117, 37–48.
Lavinda, Tran, Woerpel. Effect of Ring Strain on Stereoselectivity of Nucleophilic Addition. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2014, 12, 7083–7091.
Lavinda, Mironova, Karimi et al. Singular Thermochromic Effects in Tyrian Purple Dye Components. Dyes and Pigments 2013, 96, 581–589.
Greer, Cosgriff, Lavinda. Curtin-Hammett Process in Bergman Cyclization of 11-Membered Enediyne. J. Phys. Org. Chem. 2012, 25, 1293–1298.
Szalda, Ramig, Lavinda et al. 6-Bromoindigo Dye Crystal Structure. Acta Cryst. C 2012, C68, o160–o163.
Ramig, Lavinda, Szalda. Stereoselective Decarboxylation giving Halothane. Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 2012, 23, 201–204.
Greer, Lavinda. Bergman Cyclization of Diethynyl Nitrotropylium Ion. J. Org. Chem. 2010, 75, 8650–8653.
Stern College for Women | Yeshiva University
Office: 549, Chemistry Department
245 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016