These projects involve the investigation of protein folding with the use of particle beam FT-IR spectrometry. Undergraduate researchers are needed to run spectra of protein solutions and to measure protein activity. Another project involves the determination of polymer properties. Infrared spectra of polymers must be collected, and polymers must be made from standard recipes. Undergraduate research students would be instructed in the use of a liquid chromatograph and an infrared microscope.
Projects can range from one to five credit hours per quarter.
The research conducted in my laboratory focuses on trying to solve biomedical questions with a combination of chromatography and mass spectrometry. Some of these projects include identifying the mechanism responsible for cataract formation, developing pathological analyses to identify various disease states, and locating receptors for neurotransmitters. In the process of trying to answer these questions, we also develop new and improved analytical techniques aimed at reducing the amount of time and quantity of material needed to perform these experiments. Undergraduates could expect to perform research into developing these new analytical procedures and may be able to assist in the biomedical problem solving research. Currently, we are involved in studies of the electrodeposition of epitaxial thin-films of compound semiconductors.