Summer Scholars Program
Chemistry Department
2010 volunteer faculty mentors
Dr. John Berberian
My research examines the structure in liquids by probing the electrical and mechanical environment in which the molecules of the liquid move. The motions of these molecules, translational and rotational, are determined by viscosity and dielectric (polarization) measurements as a function of time. Simple molecular systems are used for these studies over a wide range of temperatures, from room temperature down to liquid nitrogen temperatures.
Dr. Jose Cerda
A study of the behavior of heme cofactors in benzene by using cyclic voltammetry
In many heme proteins it has been proposed that the peripheral groups on the heme cofactor have significant interactions with the surrounding protein medium. These heme-protein interactions sometimes define the role of heme cofactor. We plan to thermodynamically characterize the effects of hydrogen bonding to the peripheral substituent groups on heme a and heme b. These effects will be evaluated by measuring the reduction potentials of the hemes in benzene, an aprotic solvent. When compared to other media, the effects of heme-ligand interactions are magnified in benzene. Electrochemical studies will be performed on the “free” heme cofactors, and in the presence of an interacting ligand (bound heme), by using cyclic voltammetry.
Spectroelectrochemical characterization of highly Oxidized heme proteins
We will study the UV/Vis-spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of highly oxidized ferryl-oxo heme intermediates that can be generated in some heme proteins. The goal is to understand the role of the protein medium in the formation of these intermediates.
Dr. Mark Forman
The Forman Research Group is interested in the synthesis and study of novel, non-natural products of theoretical interest. During the summer of 2010, a primary goal will be the continued investigation of pentacyclo[4.3.0.02, 4.03,8.05,7]non-4-ene, a highly pyramidalized alkene. Specifically, we will investigate alternative synthetic routes to this alkene and study its reaction chemistry. Students in the Forman group will be exposed to a variety of modern synthetic organic techniques including microwave assisted organic synthesis; a broad range of spectroscopic methods, including NMR, FTIR, and MS. Some students may also be exposed computational methods including molecular mechanics.
Dr. Peter Graham
Student projects will focus on the synthesis of new transition metal complexes that have the potential to interact with carbon dioxide with a particular interest in catalyzing the incorporation of carbon dioxide into other organic molecules. The projects will involve the synthesis and characterization of either molybdenum or tungsten complexes and the subsequent evaluation of these complexes' reactivity with carbon dioxide.
Dr. Mark Reynolds
My biochemistry research laboratory is interested in the structure and function of heme-based gas sensing proteins that are found in a wide variety of organisms and which regulate many important biological processes. We are currently studying the oxygen sensing mechanism of the FixL protein from S. meliloti that regulates nitrogen fixation in plants. We express, purify and characterize both wild-type and variant FixL proteins and then study their properties using biochemical and spectroscopic techniques. We also have a new collaborative project with researchers at Lankenau hospital to study the structure and function of the heme protein indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase in humans that plays a
key regulatory role in the immune system and is an important new target for anti-cancer drugs.
Dr. Usha Rao
My research deals with environmental pollutants in bodies of water such as rivers and lakes. Recently, my undergraduate research students and I have been studying the presence of metals in the water and sediments of rivers in the Susquehanna-Lackawanna watershed of Pennsylvania. These metals were released into the watershed during the mining of coal in this region. This research involves a combination of field work and lab chemistry.
Another recent area of interest has been evaluating local cemeteries as field sites to teach urban students the basics of ecology, environmental science and earth science, for instance, by studying the acid-rain induced weathering of headstones composed of different rock types. I encourage students interested in either of these topics, as well as those interested in pursuing research related to other topics in environmental geochemistry, environmental ethics or environmental/geological education, to contact me.
Dr. Jean Smolen
The students working with Dr. Smolen will examine the reactivity of iron oxides, which are abundant components of soil. Ongoing studies are investigating the role of nano-sized particles in the reactivity of goethite and other iron-containing minerals. Subsequent studies will investigate the fate and mobility of organic pollutants in iron oxide suspensions. Students working on this project will learn how to use high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), UV/Vis Spectroscopy, and will conduct experiments in oxygen-free environments.