Many professors support the training of undergraduates in the research setting. Listed below are professors who have active research programs and who have taken undergraduates as volunteers, technicians, and researchers. **Please note that students may be mentored by faculty outside of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry but would need to register for the specific undergraduate research course associated with their outside mentor's department (ie. BIOL 5800 for projects in the Department of Biology).
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Lisa Berreau |
My lab is interested in synthesizing and evaluating the reactivity of novel bio-inspired compounds. A current project focuses on organic and inorganic compounds that release CO from a flavonol motif upon exposure to visible light and have potential uses in synthesis and medicine. |
lisa.berreau@usu.edu |
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Bob Brown | Study of fundamental and applied aspects of mass spectrometry (particularly TOF-MS) of large molecules. Application of mass spectrometry to various chemical problems, with particular emphasis on biochemically relevant systems. Development of laser based ionization methods for mass spectrometry and their application to non-volatile sample characterization. Study of the fundamental processes involved in the matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) process. Synthesis of new MALDI matrix materials. Development of new instrumental designs for TOF-MS. Study of ion detection processes of large m/z ions. Polymer and biopolymer structural characterization utilizing mass spectrometry. Study of aerosols formation and fate using mass spectrometry. Development of laser assisted DART ionization. | bob.brown@usu.edu |
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Tom Chang | My lab is interested in using chemical synthesis to develop bioactive compounds with antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition to basic research, we also pursue practical applications of the generated products in public health, agriculture and aquaculture. | tom.chang@usu.edu |
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Mike Christiansen |
My research is focused on the synthesis of small bioactive molecules, including anti-diabetic paprazine derivatives, JBIR-94, boerhavia N, and 5'-methoxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-3,3',4-triol. I also conduct research on data-driven innovations in chemical education including the use of flipped learning, course-integrated research experiences (CUREs), and the use of a fully online organic chemistry textbook in the studies. |
m.christiansen@usu.edu |
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Nick Dickenson |
My lab uses techniques from many disciplines including molecular biology, microbiology, physics, analytical chemistry and biochemistry to address challenging health related problems. Our current focus is characterizing the initial interactions between Shigella flexneri and host cells during infection with goals of developing anti-infective agents. |
nick.dickenson@usu.edu |
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Kimberly Hagemen |
My lab uses gas chromatography with mass spectrometry to measure the concentrations of organic contaminants, such as pesticides and flame retardants, in the environment. We also develop and use models to predict their environmental fate. |
kim.hageman@usu.edu |
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Joanie Hevel |
My lab is using molecular biology, biochemistry and biophysics to elucidate a molecular understanding of enzymes which participate in cellular signaling important in cardiovascular disease and cancer. |
Joanie.Hevel@usu.edu |
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Ryan Jackson |
My lab uses biophysical methods and in vivo assays to investigate the structure and function of molecular machines that act on nucleic acid. We use microbiological, biochemical, and structural techniques to determine the biological function and mechanisms of action of CRISPR systems. |
ryan.jackson@usu.edu |
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Sean Johnson |
My lab uses x-ray crystallography techniques in combination with biochemical analysis to understand the structure and mechanism or proteins and macromolecular assemblies, with an emphasis on RNA processing and quality control pathways. |
sean.johnson@usu.edu |
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Gang Li |
My lab is interested in catalytic reactions inspired by Nature. We focus on synthesizing transition-metal complexes as mimics of metalloenzymes and uncovering their catalytic activities toward solving demanding global challenges in energy and health issues. |
gang.li@usu.edu |
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Seth Lyman (Statewide) |
My research at USU’s Bingham Research Center in Vernal, UT focuses on the ways that energy production and other human activity impact the environment, with emphasis in air pollution, environmental impacts from oil and gas development, trace metals in the environment, and development of new instrumentation to measure environmental pollutants. |
seth.lyman@usu.edu |
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Yunfan Qiu |
My lab designs and synthesizes organic molecules with unique light-driven electronic spin dynamics, contributing innovative materials in cutting-edge research frontiers, including quantum information science, magnetic imaging, and solar energy conversion. |
yunfan.qiu@usu.edu |
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Yi Rao |
My lab uses interdisciplinary approaches including ultrafast interface-specific nonlinear optical spectroscopies, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, and electrochemistry to elucidate molecule-level understandings of charge transfer and charge transport for solar energy conversion, catalysis, the environment, and biological systems. |
yi.rao@usu.edu |
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Steve Scheiner |
My research interests center around the forces that hold molecules together. The hydrogen bond is the best known of these, but it has close parallels in halogen, chalcogen bonds, as well as others. We study these systems by quantum chemical calculations. |
steve.scheiner@usu.edu |
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Lance Seefeldt |
My lab is using multi-disciplinary approaches, including molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics, to elucidate a molecular understanding of the metalloenzyme nitrogenase. These efforts are aimed at contributing solutions to grand challenges in sustainable energy and the environment. |
lance.seefeldt@usu.edu |
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Tuan Trinh |
My lab research is interested in the spectroscopic study of nanomaterials for optoelectronic applications including energy harvesting and flexible devices. We use (ultrafast) laser spectroscopies in combination with a near-field nano-imaging technique and a magnet to understand and control the spin and charge dynamics at the nanoscale of novel materials. |
t.trinh@usu.edu |