Tag: Chemistry and Biochemistry

CLOSED: Illuminating New Catalytic Transformations (Erin Gray)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/9/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 8/1/2025.

Project Description

Nitrogen-containing organic molecules have broad applications as pharmaceuticals, materials, and agrochemicals; therefore, the development of new strategies to make and break carbon–nitrogen bonds is essential. Our research aims to design catalytic methods to manipulate carbon–nitrogen bonds, making the preparation of these important products more sustainable, cost effective, and efficient. Students in the Gray Group will gain experience in using synthetic organic chemistry laboratory techniques and instrumentation as they design and conduct experiments, interpret data, and examine the scientific literature.

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Prerequisites

Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 241) is preferred but not required

Special Comments

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/9/2025

Estimated End Date: 8/1/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 3

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Erin Gray (email: egray@wlu.edu)

CLOSED: Analyzing cellular susceptibility to mobile genetic elements. (Kyle Friend)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/25/2025.

Project Description

Close to half the human genome is made up of transposable, or mobile, elements (TEs) that are DNA sequences which can duplicate themselves. Throughout life, there is a low risk that cells will be damaged by TE migration, but that risk accumulates, and TEs are associated with aging and increased risk of cancer. Currently, we have less information about the types of cells that are most susceptible to TE movement, and that will be the focus of our research this summer.

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Prerequisites

No. Our work does require basic programming, but I am happy to work with students who are new to programming.

Special Comments

No.

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 2

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Kyle Friend (email: friendk@wlu.edu)

CLOSED: Exploring Wine Chemistry Through GCMS and NMR Spectroscopy (Connell Cunningham)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/25/2025.

Project Description

My research this summer will continue to explore the chemistry of wine, focusing on key compounds such as sugars (glucose and fructose), tannins, and acids that influence flavor and quality. Using analytical techniques like Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we will work to quantify and analyze these compounds in collaboration with local vineyards and businesses.

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Prerequisites

General Chemistry (CHEM 110) is required; Organic Chemistry (CHEM 241) is preferred

Special Comments

NA

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 2

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Connell Cunningham (email: ccunningham@wlu.edu)

CLOSED: Developing Safer Chemotherapeutics (Sarah Kim)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 10 weeks, finishing on 8/8/2025.

Project Description

The goal of the Kim lab is to prolong patient survival and decrease risks associated with cancer treatment by developing safer and more effective chemotherapeutics. We have two projects underway, both of which are available to summer students: Project 1: Pediatric brain tumors. For adult patients with cancer, chemotherapeutics can cause undesirable side effects such as hair loss, nausea, and vomiting. However, when chemotherapeutics are given to children, the side-effects can be more severe. Children may experience lifelong hearing loss, vision loss, or learning disabilities. SRS students will learn about current challenges and promising new therapies for pediatric brain tumors. In the lab, students will formulate chemotherapeutics that are targeted to tumor cells. This project is done in collaboration with a pediatric neuro-oncologist at Duke University. Project 2: Medication allergies. You may remember that after we received our COVID vaccines, we were asked to wait 15 minutes before leaving. This was due to the possibility that the vaccine could cause life-threatening allergic reactions requiring hospitalization. Which component of the vaccine could be the culprit of these severe allergic reactions? One leading candidate is a synthetic material called polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG is derived from petroleum. Unsurprisingly, some peopleís bodies identify PEG as an unnatural toxin. Consequently, their immune system launches a severe allergic reaction in response to PEG. Unfortunately, several chemotherapeutics are made with PEG, which could induce allergic responses in cancer patients. SRS students will develop safer, natural alternatives to PEG based on elastin ñ a protein that is found in our bodies.

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Prerequisites

Fundamentals of Biology (BIOL 111) and General Chemistry (CHEM 110)

Special Comments

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 8/8/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 10 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 3

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Sarah Kim (email: skim2@wlu.edu)

CLOSED: Cultural Heritage Science at WLU and Other Institutions (Erich Uffelman)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/25/2025.

Project Description

The Uffelman Group will conduct research with portable instrumentation (pXRF, VNIR RIS hyperspectral, SWIR RIS multispectral, FORS, and IR imaging [Quantum Dot and InGaAs sensors]) at WLU and other museums and universities. In addition, considerable processing of the collected data will transpire using various software packages. There is a significant chance that some of the travel will be international. Because these projects are always highly collaborative, details will only emerge very likely in the late winter or early spring. Past collaborations that are likely to continue could include: North Carolina Museum of Art, Chrysler Museum, National Gallery of Art, Frans Hals Museum, Dordrechts Museum, Mauritshuis, Rijksmuseum, Queens University, Stichting Restauratie Atelier Limburg.

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Prerequisites

It is highly desirable that students conduct one credit of research in the winter term.

Special Comments

Students MUST have an up to date passport that will permit international travel. If students are not US citizens, they must be able to acquire travel visas to foreign countries. Student MUST apply for Johnson Summer Opportunity funds to support summer travel, and students might not be allowed to do summer research in the Uffelman Group if travel funds are denied.

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 3

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Erich Uffelman (email: uffelmane@wlu.edu)