UA Chemistry Program Helps Next Generation of Scientists

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A summer program at The University of Alabama, funded by the National Science Foundation, is helping prepare the next generation of chemists and scientific researchers.

The UA department of chemistry is hosting the Research Experience for Undergraduates/Teachers program under the direction of Dr. John Vincent, professor of chemistry, and Dr. Stephen Woski, associate professor of chemistry.

Top undergraduate students and high school teachers with strong backgrounds in chemistry are invited to come to the UA campus for 10 weeks during the summer to work with UA faculty in their research group and to take part in informal seminars and educational activities.

The 2008 participants and their UA faculty mentors include:

Kimberly Anderson, an Austin Peay State University student who is working with Dr. Greg Szulczewski on synthesis of nitrogen-doped metal oxide nanoparticles for chemical sensors and catalysis.

Awuri Asuru, a UA student who is working with Dr. Laura Busenlehner on heavy metal inhibition of DNA repair proteins.

Victoria Bailey, a Savannah State University student who is working with Dr. Russell Timkovich on protein over-expression in genetically engineered bacteria.

Amber Beg, a University of North Carolina student who is working with Dr. Joseph Thrasher on polymer electrolyte membranes.

Nicole Blewett, a California State University student who is working with Dr. David Nikles on magnetically triggered multifunctional nano-platform for cancer detection and therapy.

Ashley Casey, a Jacksonville State University student who is working with Thrasher on green chemistry.

Felix Fungo, a Rust College student who is working with Dr. David Dixon on computational chemistry.

Craig Goodwin, an Erskine College student who is working with Vincent on biochemistry of chromium.

CharLe Guyton, a University of West Alabama student who is working with Dr. Arunava Gupta on synthesis of characterization of alumina template.

Jessica Hinton, an Alcorn State University student who is working with Dr. Carolyn Cassady on mass spectrometry studies of peptides.

Cynthia Kaeser, a University of Cumberland student who is working with Dr. Shane Street on nanoparticles and spectroscopy.

Camille Makarem, a Rhodes College student who is working with Street on spin-polarized electron tunneling through organic molecules.

Jane Moore, a Tennessee Wesleyan College student who is working with Dr. Kevin Shaughnessy on new catalysts for environmentally benign processes.

Rajini Murthy, a University of Pennsylvania student who is working with Dr. Lowell Kispert on carotenoid isomer preparation, isolation and characterization.

Carl Saint-Louis, a Kennesaw State University student who is working with Dr. Silas Blackstock on developing new organic electrochromics.

Daniel Sweat, an Augusta State University student who is working with Blackstock on redox gradient dendrimers for nanoscale electronic applications, molecular memory and information storage.

Angelica Trummer, a Spelman College student who is working with Woski on synthesis of modified DNAs and RNAs.

Felicia Briggins, a high school teacher from Greensboro High School-East who is working with Vincent.

Deborah A. Harper, a high school teacher from Amelia Love Johnson High School who is working with Woski.

Anne Jones, a high school teacher from Eastwood Middle School who is working with Cassady.

Brenda O’Neal, a high school teacher from Eufaula City Schools who is working with Dr. Martin Bakker.