Undergraduate Research Opportunities 2012-2013
“The
aim
of
science
is
not
to
open
the
door
to
infinite
wisdom,
but
to
set
a
limit
to
infinite
error.”
Bertolt
Brecht
• Michael D. Barnes – Explores the structure-property relations of complex nanomaterials at the
single molecule level. They use single molecule fluorescence and scanning probe techniques to
probe a variety of interesting photophysical phenomena that are invisible at the bulk or ensemble
level. Professor Barnes expects a minimum of 8 hours a week in the lab. Knowledge of physical
chemistry (CHEM 475) is preferred, but not expected or required. He is accepting students in his
group for CHEM 388/496/499. His email and phone are mdbarnes@chem.umass.edu and 5453119.
R. Hassey; N. Hammer; E. Swain *; D. Venkataraman and M.D. Barnes, “Probing the Chiroptical Response of a Single
Molecule,” Science 318, 1437 (2006).
• Jim Chambers – Applying novel chemical biology tools and emerging biophysical techniques
to solve fundamental questions in neuroscience is the focus of my research. This includes
receptor trafficking and ligand-gating, remote control of neuronal activity with chemicals and
light, and computer modeling of ligand recognition by biological receptors. Professor Chambers
looks for students with a GPA of 3.3 or better, to be in their junior year or less and be members
of CommColl. His email and phone are chambers@chem.umass.edu and 545-3864.
• Paul Dubin – Uses light scattering to study protein aggregation, a topic of importance in such
areas as food science and neurodegenerative diseases, and also investigates complex formation
between polymers and micelles. Requirements: sophomore or junior, GPA 3.0, available 10 or
more hours per week. Offering credit for CHEM 388/496/499. Email and phone
dubin@chem.umass.edu and 577-4167. For more information:
http://www.chem.umass.edu/faculty/dubin.html. Recent publications with undergraduates:
“Entering and exiting the coacervate phase: Non-monotonic salt dependence of critical conditions for coacervation in a
protein-polyelectrolyte system”, with M. Mazzawi and M. Antonov, Biomacromolecules 2010.
“Shear-induced Phase Separation in Polyelectrolyte-Mixed Micelle Coacervates”, with M. W. Liberatore, N. B. Wyatt,
M.Henry and E. Foun, Langmuir 2010.
• Jeanne Hardy - Enzymes are the best catalysts on the planet. Using protein engineering
techniques, the Hardy lab is involved in engineering regulatory sites into the enzymes that
regulate cell death. These enzymes are critical in over 50% of disease for which there is currently
no suitable therapy. She is accepting motivated sophomore and junior students into her research
group for CHEM 388/496/499. Having taking a biochemistry or molecular biology lab is an
advantage. A minimum commitment of 10 hours per week is expected. Her email and phone are
hardy@chem.umass.edu and 545-3486. More details about work in the Hardy Lab can be found
at http://people.chem.umass.edu/jhardy/
Huber, K.L., Olson, K.D.* and Hardy, J.A. "Robust production of a peptide library using methodological synchronization"
Protein Expression and Purification. 2009, 67,139-147.
• Bret Jackson – Undertakes theoretical studies of catalytic reactions on surfaces. Electronic
structure methods are used to explore the molecule-substrate interaction, and both quantum and
classical approaches are used to explore the reaction dynamics. Professor Jackson requires that
those students who wish to work with him complete the required math and physics courses for
the BS and be taking physical chemistry on schedule. He is accepting students into his research
group for CHEM 388/496/499. A minimum commitment of 8 hours per week is expected. His
email and phone are jackson@chem.mass.edu and 545-2583.
Kerwin, J.*;Sha, X. and Jackson, B. “Classical Studies of H Atom Trapping on a Graphite Surface”, J. Phys. Chem. B 110,
18811 (2006).
Kerwin, J.*;. and Jackson, B. "The sticking of H and D atoms on a graphite (0001) surface: the effects of coverage and
energy dissipation”, J. Chem. Phys. 128, 084702-1-7 (2008).
• Igor Kaltashov – Has research interests in the mass spectrometry of biopharmaceuticals and the
architecture, dynamics and interactions of biopolymers (e.g., proteins). He asks that students who
wish to work with him have passed General Chemistry with a B or better. He is accepting
students in his research group for CHEM 388/496/499. His email and phone number are
kaltashov@chem.umass.edu and 545-1460.
• Mike Knapp – Has two ongoing research projects. Fluorescence-based sensing involves the
synthesis of solid supports, such as polymers, that incorporate fluorescent molecules. The
creation of protein/nanoparticle hybrid materials involves the optimization of such complex
systems. Professor Knapp is looking for students who are in their sophomore or junior years and
will sponsor CHEM 388/496/499 independent research projects. His email and phone are
mknapp@chem.umass.edu and 545-4001.
• Michael J. Maroney – Undertakes research involving the characterization of metalloenzymes in
order to better understand their structure/function relationships; such enzymes include nickel
superoxide dismutase and cysteine dioxygenase. Other projects involve an examination of metal
specificity in proteins and a detailed study on the hydrogenase enzyme. Professor Maroney asks
that his students have some previous lab experience, an interest in inorganic and/or biochemistry
and spend 3 or more hours per credit hour in the lab. He would consider an exceptional
individual for a position in his lab. His email and phone number are
mmaroney@chem.umass.edu and 545-4876.
Chai, S.C.; Bruyere, J.R. and Maroney, M.J. “Probes of the Catalytic Site of Cysteine Dioxygenase”, J. Biol. Chem. 281,
15774 (2006).
Chais, S.C.; Jerkins, A.A.; Banik, J.J.; Shalev, I.; Pinkham, J.L.; Uden, P.C. and Maroney, M.J. “Heterologous Expression,
Purification and Characterization of Recombinant Rat Cysteine Dioxygenase,” J. Biol. Chem. 280, 9865 (2005).
• Craig T. Martin – Uses biochemical and spectroscopic methods to probe the inner workings of
the complex nanomachine, RNA polymerase. They test specific structural and mechanistic
models for the various stages of that multi-phase process. Professor Martin is looking for mature
students with a focus and commitment to the research process. He is looking for an exceptional
student and is offering credit for CHEM 388/496/499. His email and phone are
cmartin@chem.umass.edu and 545-3299.
• Ricardo Metz – Uses vibrational and electronic spectroscopy to study the mechanism of C-H
and C-C bond activation by transition metal ions. These studies combine mass spectrometry with
laser-based spectroscopy in the infrared, visible and ultraviolet. He is willing to take enthusiastic,
bright student from the freshman year on up who are willing to work 10 or more hours per week
in the lab. Professor Metz offers credit for CHEM 388/496/499. His email and phone are
rbmetz@chem.umass.edu and 545- 6089.
Citir, M.; Altinay, G.; Austein-Miller, G.* and Metz, R.B. “Vibrational Spectroscopy and Theory of Fe+(CH4)n (n = 1-4),” J.
Phys. Chem. A in press (2010).
Thompson, C.J.; Stringer, K.L.; McWilliams, M.* and Metz, R.B. “Electronic Spectroscopy of Predissociative States of
Platinum Oxide Cation,” Chem. Phys. Lett. 376, 588 (2003).
• Vince Rotello – Synthesizes and develops nanoparticles for applications in biology (diagnostics
and therapeutics) and devices (e.g., magnetic memory and integrated circuits). He is looking for
enthusiastic students from the freshman year on up and offers credit for CHEM 388/496/499. His
email and phone are rotello@chem.umass.edu and 545-2058.
Miranda, O. R.; Chen, H.-T.; You, C.-C.; Mortenson, D. E.*; Yang, X.-C.; Bunz, U. H. F.; Rotello, V. M. “EnzymeAmplified Array Sensing of Proteins in Solution and in Biofluids” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2010, 132, 5285-5289.
Bajaj, A.; Rana, S.; Miranda, O. R.; Yawe, J. C.*; Jerry, D. J.; Bunz, U. H. F.; Rotello, V. M. "Cell surface-based
differentiation of cell types and cancer states using a gold nanoparticle-GFP based sensing array" Chem. Sci., 2010, 1, 134138.
Subramani, C.; Yesilbag, G.; Jordan, B. J.; Li, X.; Khorasani, A.*; Cooke, G.; Sanyal, A.; Rotello, V. M. “Recognition
Mediated Encapsulation and Isolation of Flavin-Polymer Conjugates using Dendritic Guest Moieties” Chem. Comm., 2010,
46, 2067-2069.
• S. “Thai” Thayumanavan – Synthesizes and develops polymer-based materials for applications
in renewable energy devices (solar cells and fuel cell applications) and biomedical applications
(e.g. drug delivery, gene delivery, sensors). He may be looking for highly motivated sophomore
and juniors. He offers credit for CHEM 388/496/499. His email and phone are
thai@chem.umass.edu and 545-1313.
• Lynmarie Thompson - Membrane proteins are critical to life and are the targets of many drugs.
The Thompson lab uses spectroscopic and biochemical methods to investigate structures and
mechanisms of membrane proteins involved in sensing, transmembrane signaling, and
transmembrane transport. Professor Thompson has openings in January 2011 for highly
motivated sophomores or juniors interested in understanding the chemistry of biological
molecules. Thompson expects a minimum of 10 hours per week in the lab, and offers credit for
CHEM 388/496/499. Her email and phone are Thompson@chem.umass.edu and 545-0827.
• Julian Tyson – Is interested in developing colorimetric procedures for the determination of
inorganic and methylated arsenic compounds in rice. He plans to use the analysis of digital
images to quantify the colors produced. The method is to be simple enough be implemented in a
K-12 school lab or even your kitchen at home. He prefers that students working with him have
either taken CHEM 315/513 or participated in the arsenic project and they make a commitment
of 2-3 credits. Students must also live on or near campus and have some flexibility in their
schedules. He is offering credit for CHEM 388/396/496/499. His email and phone are
tyson@chem.umass.edu and 545-0195.
• Richard Vachet – Develops new bioanalytical tools based on mass spectrometry to study
protein aggregation and nanoparticles in biology and the environment. His group is also
exploring new approaches that combine nanotechnology and mass spectrometry for disease
diagnostics. Professor Vachet asks that students make a commitment of at least 2cr hours per
semester. He accepts students from the freshman year on up and offers credit for CHEM
388/496/499. His email and website are rwvachet@chem.umass.edu and
http://www.chem.umass.edu/~vachet/. Recent publications with undergraduate students
(undergraduate students are underlined):
Zhu, Z.-J.; Yeh, Y.-C.; Tang, R.; Yan, B.; Tamayo, J.; Vachet, R. W.; Rotello, V. R. “Stability of Quantum Dots in Live
Cells,” Nature Chem., 2011, 3, 963-968.
Zhu, Z.-J.; Carboni, R.; Quercio, M.; Yan, B.; Miranda, O.R.; Anderton, D. L.; Arcaro, K. F.; Rotello, V. M.; Vachet, R. W.
“Surface Properties Dictate Uptake, Distribution, Excretion, and Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Fish,” Small 2010, 6, 22612265.
Rodthongkum, N.; Washington, J. D.; Savariar, E. N.; Thayumanavan, S.; Vachet, R. W. “Generating Peptide TitrationType Curves Using Polymeric Reverse Micelles As Selective Extraction Agents along with Matrix-Assisted Laser
Desorption Ionization-Mass Spectrometry Detection,” Anal. Chem. 2009, 81, 5046-5053.
• D. Venkataraman (DV) – Synthesizes and investigates the properties of new organic materials
for energy (photovoltaic, cells, fuel cells) and electronic material applications. Professor
Venkataraman is accepting highly motivated students from the freshman year on up and will
offer credit for CHEM 388/496/499. His email and phone are dv@chem.umass.edu and 5452028.
Benanti, T. L.; Kalaydjian, A.*; Venkataraman, D. "Protocols for Efficient Postpolymerization Functionalization of
Regioregular Polythiophenes," Macromolecules 2008, 41, 8312-8315.
• Kevin Kittilstved – Undertakes research aimed at understanding and manipulating the
electronic structures of transition metal ions in nanostructured materials with potential
application in solar energy conversion and spin-based electronics technologies. Current research
projects for undergraduates focus on the development of novel synthetic methods to produce
high-quality colloidal inorganic materials. Students interested and motivated to conduct research
in the Kittilstved group should be in their sophomore or junior year and have passed Chem 341.
He accepts students in his research group for Chem 388/496/499 for a minimum of 3 credit hours
per semester. His email and phone are kittilstved@chem.umass.edu and 545-6096.