FACULTY RESEARCH INTERESTS
DR. JIONG DONG PANG
(BIOCHEMISTRY)
A sample project in biochemistry for undergraduate students:
Cloning and Sequencing Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) gene
LDH is an abundant enzyme involved in anaerobic fermentation in animals and plants.
Students will amplify this conserved gene from a novel genome (ginger, for example)
whose LDH gene sequence is not known to date. Students will extract genomic DNA from
the chosen plant and amplify the LDH gene using PCR and nested PCR. Students have
to design and test the primers for PCR on the known LDH gene sequences. If successful,
the PCR products will be purified, cloned into a plasmid vector and the ligated vector
will be transformed into the appropriate bacteria host. Further steps include amplifying,
purifying and sequencing the plasmid DNA. Extensive bioinformatics analysis will
be followed to analyze the new LDH gene sequences.
The new data generated can be deposited in GenBank and the project is suitable for
undergraduate research and presentation.
A sample project for graduate students: Early Chemistry on Earth
How could amino acids be polymerized in a non-living system? Catalysis by clay is
known. Rock surfaces may also provide catalytic surfaces. The results of the Miller-Urey
experiments show a good mix of amino acids which yield amphiphilic, short peptides
such as VVVVVE. Many hydrophobic amino acids were produced as well as lesser amounts
of Asp (D) and Glu (E). Such peptides would form micelles, vesicles, etc as shown
by Zheng et al. at MIT. The goal of this project is to devise hypotheses which can
be tested by not so complicated experiments. We can try one or both of the followings:
1. polymerizing esters of amino acids. 2. self organizing of peptides of random sequences
DR. GREGORY KOWALCZYK
(ANALYTICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY)
My research involves the use of trace elemental patterns to distinguish natural from
anthropogenic sources in the environment. Metals in various media are analyzed by
Atomic Absorption and the method can be applied to air, water or soil materials.
My research also involves the speciation of primarily metals to determine toxic effects
and bioavailability.
1. Source characterization using trace element patterns.
Trace elemental patterns have been used in the past quite successfully to characterize
different emission sources. Typical sources that have been characterized are coal-
and oil-fired power plants, waste incinerators and automobile emissions. As technologies
change, some of these emission patterns change and need to be updated. A good example
would be automobile sources and lead is no longer used as an additive. Furthermore,
the addition of the catalytic converter may be a new, additional source palladium
group metals (Pd, Pt, Rh) to automobile emissions that could be characterized.
2. Differentiation of natural/anthropogenic sources
Use of trace elemental patterns can be used to distinguish different sources in an
area. These sources can be either natural or anthropogenic in nature. One area
of interest is the differentiating of sources contributing to indoor dust material.
Sources may be both natural and anthropogenic and examination of the trace elemental
can be used to identify each source.
3. Leachability of metals from soils
The presence of metals in any media may be health issue only if the metals and easily
leachable and toxic to the exposed species thus making them bioavailable. Different
metals bond to different ligands in soils and vary in their leachability. The projects
would involve looking at leachability rates from different Connecticut soils as leachability
may also affect groundwater quality.
4. Speciation of metals
Toxicity and bioavailability of metals depend on the form, or oxidation state, of
a metal. The inhalation of Cr(VI) is toxic while that of Cr(III) is not. The ingestion
of As(III) is toxic while the ingestion of arsenobetaine, an organic arsenic containing
compound, is not. The purpose of this area of research is to assess the toxicity
of various metal containing compounds based on their molecular form or oxidation state.
5. New procedures for analytical and general chemistry labs.
As the Chemistry Department moves toward the goal of incorporating department authored,
inquiry-based lab manuals in the General Chemistry courses, the lab procedures incorporated
into these manuals need to be lab tested. Research in this area would help design
and modify lab experiments that could be used as exercises in the lab manuals.
DR. M. J. GERALD LESLEY
(INORGANIC/ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY)
My current research involves the air sensitive synthesis of new organic molecules
using catalyzed and uncatalyzed borylation chemistry.
1. Synthesis of Dimeric and Polymeric Aldiminoborane Compounds
These derivatives can be synthesized via the hydroboration of nitrile and dinitrile
containing organic molecules. Specific attention is drawn to the reactions with benzonitrile
derivatives as these lead to a novel preference for the formation of trans,syn-isomers
of the Aldiminoborane dimers formed. Typical projects involve the use of multinuclear
NMR studies to confirm the structures as well as separation techniques for the isolation
of the individual isomeric products.
2. Synthesis of Novel Metal Organic Framework polymers (MOF's)
The new organic molecules being studied are formed via Suzukui coupling reactions
involving transition metal catalyzed air sensitive techniques. The novel carboxylic
acid products will be combined with transition metal halide complexes using hydrothermal
methods of synthesis to prepare new metal organic framework polymers (MOF's). Typical
undergraduate student thesis projects involve the synthesis of one to three new organic
molecules and/or investigation of hydrothermal MOF synthesis with a range of transition
metal complexes. Usually we begin with Ni, Cu and Zn and extend this to other metal
complexes if time permits.
DR. ADIEL COCA
(ORGANIC CHEMISTRY)
Development of student scientists will be the primary focus of my research program.
Students in my lab will be presented with the opportunity to develop synthesis techniques
and skills in the pursuit of small biologically active natural and unnatural products
that may allow for future cooperation with other scientists to test their biological
activities, or in the development of novel and useful synthesis methodologies. Students
will serve a vital role in the experimental investigation. I will work closely with
the students, giving them increased freedom to make decisions, and encourage them
to individually solve daily synthetic challenges as they develop into competent investigators.
Students who study in my lab will be well suited to serve as laboratory scientists
in the chemical industry, government labs, or be prepared well to begin a graduate
career in a top-tier research institution. Specific interests include compounds that
belong to polyphenolic and alkaloid families, as well as other secondary metabolites.
Development of new and useful chemical transformations is another interest of my.
These include the use of microwave-enhanced chemistry to develop organic reactions
in aqueous media. While performing research with me, students will get exposed to
air-free glassware, chromatography, distillation, and other organic techniques. They
will analyze products with NMR (H1, C13, and 2D), GC-MS, and IR.
DR. ANDREW KARATJAS
(ORGANIC CHEMISTRY)
My current research involves the development of new methodology for the functionalization
of indoles. This involves both the formation of indole containing fused ring structure
and selective functionalization of the indoles themselves. This new methodology may
then be applied toward some small natural products.
A typical undergraduate student thesis project would involve the working on the development
of one of these two areas of methodology. After sufficient development, if time permits,
application to a small natural product synthesis ( ~ 5 steps) may be attempted.
DR. JEFFREY A. WEBB
(CHEMICAL EDUCATION)
My research efforts are focused on two primary areas of focus: utilizing new technology
/new teaching methods in the classroom and developing unique inquiry-based laboratories/demonstrations.
For the introduction of new technology into the classroom students will be involved
actively with developing novel classroom uses for technologies such as: handheld tablets,
smart boards, classroom clickers, and "App" development. A typical student project
might involve a student developing an "App" which can be utilized in the classroom,
or a unit where clicker technology can be utilized and assessed. In addition to
technologic based educational studies, I am interested in utilizing novel teaching
method(s) in the classroom, and assessing their usefulness in enhancing student learning
(examples include meta/cognitive study skills)
Another avenue of research a student might focus on will be assisting in the ongoing
efforts to author and develop novel, inquiry-based labs that can be utilized in a
Chemistry Curriculum (with a particular focus in General Chemistry II, and the Chemistry
for Non-Science Majors Laboratory Course at the College level). A typical project
might involve a student developing a new chemistry laboratory or chemical demonstration.
DR. ERICKA C. BARNES
(PHYSICAL / COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY)
My research interests involve the development of computational methods, in particular,
the construction of consistent basis sets for extrapolation to the complete basis
set limit. Reliable benchmarks for the development of wavefunction methods are lacking,
owing to the prohibitively expensive computational resources required for such high-level
theories. As such, extrapolations using a consistently constructed family of basis
sets can be utilized to obtain these benchmarks in a more cost-effective manner.
As computational chemistry is inherently multidisciplinary, there are plenty of opportunities
for utilizing calculations in the elucidation of molecular structures, stabilities,
and mechanisms. An example of a project in this direction would be the use of DFT
(density functional theory) techniques to investigate organic light emitting diode
(OLED) type complexes, and how varying the functional groups on the ligands affect
properties such as fluorescence, structure or reactivity. A typical undergraduate
project could also involve providing computational support to ongoing experimental
research in the department.