The research of the Finney group focuses on the use of fluorescent probes to indicate the presence of important ions and small molecules. Analytes of interest range from toxicologically and biologically relevant metal ions to intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) to explosives to chemical warfare agents. Our work combines organic synthesis and spectroscopy with biological and environmental science, producing results that no one field can lay claim to. Fundamental work on the design of new fluorophores and conjugated π-systems is also of great interest.