I
have space for a couple of motivated students to do research in my laboratory. Our research involves the use of spectroscopic
methods to probe the environment in order to detect, identify and quantify
various analytes. In the past, we have focused on using laser illumination of
the sample using fiber optics, and detected the resulting fluorescence. This
gives good sensitivity and some selectivity for aromatic organics. We
are extending our capabilities to detect other species, including organic
chlorides and metals, by developing improved fluorescence methods and other
techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and infrared, near-infrared, and
UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. It is helpful for students to have
completed analytical and physical chemistry courses before undertaking this
work; a good mathematical background is also essential. A two-semester
commitment is required.
Undergraduate
research students who join my group will participate as part of an interdisciplinary
team on a variety of challenging research projects in direct
support of the Mars mission, the
2007 Phoenix Mars Lander which will land on Mars on the 25th of May 2008. In
addition we have several other NASA supported research projects for possible
inclusion on future NASA missions. These include: analysis
of the
Martian surface material using a
Robotic
Chemical Analysis Laboratory(RCAL);
development of a novel technique for
detection of microbial
life (MiDA) on Mars & the Jovian moons by monitoring chemical disequilibration
via an electrochemical sensor array;
determination of total and isotopic fractionation of inorganic & organic
carbon on Mars
(TIC-TOC)
using electrochemical oxidation; investigation of chemical profiles at the
soil/permafrost boundary of the Antarctic Dry Valley soils; and the
chemistry in specific environments in Death Valley, and deep ocean vents.
I usually accept 2-3 undergrads per year via Chem 91/92
or the appropriate research credit in their respective department, or as paid summer/academic year research assistants.
Prerequisites include Analytical Chemistry (Chem42 and/or141) for chem majors,
and junior/senior class standing in chemistry, geology, physics, biology, astronomy,
or engineering.
Undergraduate students in my group
will work closely with graduate students, post doctoral research associates
and the principal investigator. Our group is involved in a
multi-disciplinary research effort utilizing the techniques of synthetic
organic chemistry, cell biology, materials science and recombinant DNA
technology to develop novel methods for the rational design and construction
of artificial proteins, novel therapeutics, cellular imaging reagents and
molecular enzymes. Research projects in the laboratory deal with various
aspects of peptide architecture, protein folding and stability, catalyst
design, in vitro models for infection and disease, mammalian cell-surface
engineering, glycobiology and nanochemistry. There is no imposed course
requirement, but a background in organic chemistry and/ or biochemistry is
absolutely needed.
We develop instruments, data analysis software, and methods to detect
hazardous chemicals in the environment and in food. Projects include probes
that can detect pollutants in the subsurface (soil and groundwater) at
hazardous waste sites without bringing sample to the surface, monitor
chemical threats in the air at airports, train stations, and tunnels, and
pesticides in food products. Research aimed at providing complete chemical
profiles of food products (fruits, vegetables, and beverages) to understand
how we smell, taste, and can extend shelf life.
I have room for a couple of undergraduates in my group. Students interested in doing research must have completed at
least two years of chemistry, including CHEM 42, and have an interest in the
development of analytical instrumentation and methods aimed at analyzing
environmentally and biologically important compounds.
The
major areas of our research are coordination, supramolecular and bioinorganic
chemistry, with the main objects being transition metal macrocyclic complexes.
One of the current projects is aimed at obtaining a new family of molecular
tweezers capable of selective 2-center and 3-center substrate binding. These
molecules are of great promise for creating new redox catalysts and new
switchable receptors for biological substrates. Another project includes
investigation of a spatial self-organization (pattern formation) in
reaction-diffusion systems, in particular, using diffusion of O2
from the gas phase into solution followed by chemical reactions in the liquid
phase.
It
is expected that undergraduate researchers will be involved primarily in the
synthesis and characterization of organic and inorganic compounds, including
air-sensitive compounds. Other areas of concentration, such as kinetic
measurements, and computational modeling, are also possible.
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Chem 1 and Chem 2 with labs for pattern formation project; Chem 51, 52 for
synthetic projects; Chem 31 for kinetic studies; Chem 32 for molecular
modeling.Enrollment in Chem 61 will be expected from the students involved in a
long-term project.
I usually have room for one or two undergraduates in my laboratory.The project involves devising novel new experiments for physical
chemistry laboratories which illustrate principles in both thermodynamics and
spectroscopy/quantum mechanics.For
example, in recent years ultra-small structures have come to play an
increasing role in areas as diverse as sensor development, computational
devices, and contaminant remediation.The
electronic properties of these so called quantum devices are intermediate
between those of atoms and those of extended solids.
This is a topic central to the spectroscopy/quantum mechanics course.There is a major gap between the research level materials that have
been developed and an experiment suitable for a course.This work, supported by the National Science Foundation, is
designed to fill this gap.Due to
the fact that every chemistry department offers physical chemistry courses,
the results of our work are of wide-spread interest.Results will be published in the Journal of Chemical Education and ultimately will be published in a
new physical chemistry laboratory text.Students
involved in this project will not only have the opportunity to solidify their
understanding of this advanced-level material, they will help shape the way
this material is delivered to the next generation of students.Pre or corequisite: Chem 31/33 and students should plan to enroll in
Chem 32/34.
Physical
and Materials Chemistry - Research in my group reveals the molecular-level
choreography of chemical reactions occurring at the interface of a gas and a
solid surface.We use an array of
experimental techniques to uncover the key molecular motions that transform
reactants into surface-bound reaction products.Undergraduate students working in the group work closely with other
group members on important aspects of the project.Work typically involves the use and design of electronic, mechanical,
and optical instruments including lasers, computer interfacing and control,
and the acquisition and analysis of experimental data.
I
am also interested in working with a student to design and refine new
laboratory exercises for the undergraduate physical chemistry lab.Many of these exercises will use newly acquired equipment.The goal of the work will be to generate working laboratory exercises
for the second semester laboratory. I
will accept up to one student per project next year.Prerequisite:Instructor
consent.
As part of my HHMI Professor’s Award, I have openings for
undergraduates in my laboratory. Students who are selected will work on one
of three possible projects: developing cost effective microarray techniques
to use in laboratories for college and high school students, developing a
microarray to allow students to map their own genetic ancestry, and
improving current organic chemistry laboratory experiments by making them
more discovery-based. All of the projects have a data analysis component to
them that could involve students interested in data processing and computer
science.
Students will receive Chem 91/92 research credit.
Interested students should plan to spend at least two semesters doing
research, with the option of being paid to continue research over winter
break or the following summer. Course work in organic chemistry,
biochemistry, and chemistry OR computer science is helpful.
If you are interested in doing research as part of the
HHMI Project, please contact the HHMI Program Coordinator, Meredith Knight,
at
