UA Program Brings Undergrad Chemistry Researchers to Campus

TUSCALOOSA,  Ala. — Fourteen college students from a wide variety of academic programs participated in the summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program in chemistry at The University of Alabama in 2016.

The program is funded by the National Science Foundation.

Under the direction of Dr. John Vincent, UA professor of chemistry, and Dr. Stephen Woski, UA associate professor of chemistry, undergraduates from throughout the country with strong backgrounds in chemistry are invited to apply. Participants work with faculty in their research group and take part in informal seminars and social activities.

The participants and their research focuses are:

Akeeta Barnaby, Alabama A&M University, “Biochemistry of RNA Methyltransferases Regulating Meiosis” under the direction of Dr. Jack Dunkle, assistant professor of chemistry.

Elizabeth Dyer, St. Francis University, “Nanostructured Electrode for Solar Cells” under the direction of Dr. Shanlin Pan, associate professor of chemistry.

Jeremy Hitt, UA, “Nanoelectrochemistry Study with Improved Spatial and Spectral Resolution” under the direction of Dr. Shanlin Pan, associate professor of chemistry.

Heesoo Kim, Brown University, “Single Nanoparticle Electrochemical Study with Improved Spatial and Spectral Resolution” under the direction of Dr. Shanlin Pan, associate professor of chemistry.

Jacklyn Lecaroz, UA, “Conformation and Spin Dynamics of Flexible Biradicals” under the direction of Dr. Michael K. Bowman, professor of chemistry.

Timothy Lee, Rutgers University “Semiconductor Electrodes for Light Harvesting and Conversion to Solar Fuels” under the direction of Dr. Shanlin Pan, associate professor of chemistry.

Brennen Lummus, UA , “Characterization of Hierarchically Porous Catalysts in Vapor Phase Hydrogenation Flow Reactions” under the direction of Dr. Martin Bakker, associate professor of chemistry.

Samantha McKee, University of Missouri, “Synthesis of New CO₂ Reduction Catalysts and Reactivity Studies: Towards Converting CO₂ to Useful Products” under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Papish, associate professor of chemistry.

Courtney Petersen, Salisbury University, “Investigation of Enzyme Structure/Function Relationships” under the direction of Dr. Patrick Frantom, associate professor of chemistry.

Sydney Reed, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, “Ruthenium Complexes are pH-Activated Metallo Prodrugs Due to Photodissociation in Acidic  Cancerous Cells” under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Papish, associate professor of chemistry.

Megan Smart, Agnes Scott College, “Metallotherapeutics” under the direction of Dr.  John B. Vincent, professor of chemistry.

Stevie Walters, Arkansas State University, “New Ways to Detect Explosives” under the direction of Dr. Gregory Szulczewski, associate professor of chemistry.

David White, Troy University, “Drug Binding to Cytochrome P-450 Enzymes” under the direction of Dr. Michael K. Bowman, professor of chemistry.

Miranda Whitfield, University of North Georgia, “Changing the Electron Count of Metal-Metal Dimers Coordinated by Main-Group Metals” under the direction of Dr. Jared Allred, assistant professor of chemistry.

UA’s department of chemistry is part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes, Goldwater and Truman scholarships.