research opport page

This page contains brief descriptions of projects that the chemistry and biochemistry faculty are currently undertaking and that may have undergraduate research assistantships open. Undergraduate research can be done by students at all levels, as special studies, honors or summer research. Employment, in the form of prep-room positions, are also sometimes available. Students are encouraged to contact faculty whose research is of interest to them.

Physical Chemistry

Laser photoacoustic spectroscopy: Near-infrared and visible wavelengths excite vibrational overtones, typically in O-H, C-H, or N-H stretches, in small gas-phase molecules. Since the absorption processes are weak, however, monitoring overtone excitation requires a sensitive method such as laser photoacoustic spectroscopy. Describing the motions in highly vibrationally excited molecules and understanding their spectra requires quantum mechanical calculations. Current molecules of interest include heterocycles such as ethylene oxide, ethylene sulfide, and azetidine. For a photo of the laser photoacoustic setup, please see the lab webpage. -- S. Hsieh Lab
Photochemistry of hydroperoxides: Exciting hydroperoxides with visible or UV light can induce reactions including the formation of the atmospherically important OH radical. Investigating this reaction involves synthesizing hydroperoxides, characterizing their absorption using laser photoacoustic spectroscopy, and detecting OH radicals using laser-induced fluorescence. Please see the lab webpage for previous work on this ongoing project.-- S. Hsieh Lab
Synthesis and Gas-Phase DNMR Study of N-trifluoroacetyl Cyclic Compounds: The goal of this project is to study the effect cyclic N substitution has on the internal-rotational energy barrier of trifluoroacetamides. N-trifluoroacetyl pyrrolidine, piperidine and morpholine will be synthesized and their energy barriers to internal rotation compared. Solution and gas-phase data will be used in order to elucidate the effect solvents play in this process.--Suarez Lab
Sodium flux by ²³Na NMR spectroscopy: This project is a collaboration with Dr. Adam Hall (Biological Sciences). The purpose of this project is to develop a protocol to use Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to study the flow of sodium ions through ion channels in phospholipid membranes. A possibility to apply this protocol to biochemical systems is in the works with Dr. David Bickar (Chemistry).--Suarez Lab
Polysaccharide adsorption: Encapsulated bacteria adhere to surfaces (e.g. soils in groundwater contamination) through interactions of their extracellular polysaccharides with these solid substrates. We are using physical chemistry techniques to try to understand at a molecular level what makes polysaccharides -- long starchy molecules -- stick to various surfaces. This project involves modifying silicon surfaces with self-assembled monolayers and characterizing those surfaces, as well as carrying out the adsorption experiments. For details see the Queeney Lab webpage.
Semiconductor surface modification: Wet chemical modification of semiconductor surfaces is ubiquitous in the microelectronics and optoelectronics industry, but many of the mechanisms of these chemical processes are not well understood. We seek to understand not only the mechanisms of some of these reactions, but how those mechanisms are tied to macroscopic properties (such as surface roughness) of the resulting surfaces. At the moment we are studying the oxidation of hydrogen-terminated silicon surfaces in aqueous solutions, with particular attention to the role of dissolved gases. For details see the Queeney Lab webpage.
Protein adsorption on alumina: (collaboration with researchers at RPI through NSF-NSEC program): The adsorption of certain proteins on artificial mineral surfaces promotes adhesion of bone-building cells in applications such as integration of dental implants with existing bone. Researchers at RPI have found that this adsorption on alumina is highly influenced by the structure of the alumina itself. We are carrying out complementary experiments with surface infrared spectroscopy to try to understand what governs this preferential adsorption. -- Queeney Lab
Protein relaxation during adsorption: (funded through NSF-RSEC collaborative grant with researchers at UMass): Researchers in Polymer Science at UMass have found that adsorption of proteins from flowing solutions onto solid surfaces is followed by protein-specific relaxation of tertiary/secondary structure. We would like to monitor this relaxation spectroscopically, using a specially-designed cell for in-situ IR studies in aqueous solution. This project involves substrate preparation (including polishing silicon prisms) and optimization of the experimental design, as well as collection and analysis of IR data. -- Queeney Lab
Calculational Studies of Molecular Structure and Bonding: The area of interest in these studies is the factors that govern the stability of compounds and the associated bond lengths in those molecules. We ask why. We ask why the bond length of a C-Cl bond is longer in 2-chloroethanoate than it is in the 2-chloroethylammonium ion. We ask why the energy of interaction of PH₃ with an oxygen atom is so much larger than that of SH₂. Our method of attack is to use quantum mechanical calculations on these and related systems to gain enough understanding to give a verbal answer to questions such as these. For details talk to Mr. Linck.

Organic Chemistry

Organometallic Chemistry of Palladium and Platinum Enolate Complexes: Palladium enolate complexes are potential intermediates for catalytic coupling reactions in which a new C-C bond is formed between an enolate alpha carbon and an aryl, vinyl, or acetylenyl carbon. The goal of this project is to synthesize palladium enolate complexes and study their reactions with various coupling reagents, such as arylboronic acids, by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Platinum enolate complexes, which are slower to react and therefore easier to isolate, are also synthesized and used as model compounds for their palladium analogs.--Fagan Lab
Biodegradation of Drinking Water Contaminants: Haloacetic acids (HAAs) are common by-products of drinking water contamination, and are regulated by the EPA. At longer times in a drinking water distribution system, HAA concentrations often decrease, and this decrease is attributed to bacteria in the pipes that can metabolize HAAs by removing chloride or bromide. Our goals are to isolate enzymes capable of degrading HAAs, use ion chromatography to monitor the products and rate of reaction of HAAs and the enzyme, and to use these data to gain insight into the HAA biodegradation mechanism.--Fagan Lab
Synthesis and Biological Activity of Farnesyl Derivatives: (Student co-workers - 2001-2003 Josephine Nakhla ’03 and summer 2003 Jen Breidenich '05) Our initial goal is to develop a new method for the quick and efficient synthesis of farnesyl derivatives. Farnesyl pyrophosphate is natural product that is directly involved in cholesterol biosynthesis and cellular signal transduction. It has also been implicated in pathways responsible for cancer. We hope to prepare numerous farnesyl analogs, including several natural products, and then test them for biological activity.(Students should have completed Organic II (CHM 223) and Synthesis (CHM 226) before starting them)-- Shea Lab
Synthesis of Novel Cyclic Compounds by the Combination of Two Cobalt-Mediated Reactions: (Student co-workers - since the summer of 2002 Miriam Quintal '04 and since the fall of 2003 STRIDE scholar Kristi Closser '07. Funded through a grant from the Research Corporation.) The goal of this project is to combine the Nicolas and Pauson-Khand reactions (both mediated by Co₂(CO)₈) to enable the quick and efficient construction of polycyclic products. An extension of this method should also allow us to investigate several key points regarding the scope of the Pauson-Khand reaction. (Students should have completed Organic II (CHM 223) and Synthesis (CHM 226) before starting them)-- Shea Lab
Reactivity of Dienes Containing a Cobalt-Alkyne Complex in the Diels-Alder Reaction: (Student co-worker - since the fall of 2003 Jen Breidenich '05.) The goal of this project is to explore the reactivity of a compound recently discovered in our lab by Miriam Quintal '04. Miriam prepared a diene conjugated to a cobalt-complexed alkyne, and we were excited to learn that this molecule is unknown in the chemical literature. We currently plan to study the behavior of this compound in a variety of Diels-Alder reactions. (Students should have completed Organic II (CHM 223) and Synthesis (CHM 226) before starting them)-- Shea Lab
Development of a New Radical Reaction: (Student co-worker since the summer of 2002 Christina Longo '04.) In collaboration with Prof. Melanie Wills at Holy Family University, we hope to develop a new carbon-carbon bond forming radical reaction. Christina plans to demonstrate the feasibility of the initial idea, and we hope that a new student will expand the scope of the reaction by applying it to the synthesis of several natural products. (Students should have completed Organic II (CHM 223) and Synthesis (CHM 226) before starting them)-- Shea Lab

Biochemistry

Chromium-Induced DNA Damage: Chromium(VI) is a well-established carcinogen that causes different types of DNA damage. The focus of one area of investigation in the lab is to examine the effect of chromium-induced lesions on the thermodynamic stability of DNA using UV spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. We are also interested in using NMR spectroscopic techniques to gain structural information for some of these unusual lesions. This NMR work will be done in collaboration with Prof. Megan Nunez at Mt. Holyoke College. A second focus for the lab is to use microarrays to search for proteins that interact with chromium-induced DNA lesions. By identifying and characterizing some of these protein-DNA interactions, we hope to better understand the processes that occur in cells and how chromium causes cancer. -- Jamieson Lab

Smith Summer Science and Engineering Program (SSEP)

Summer Jobs: Funded internships on campus. SSEP is a residential program for high school women designed to enrich and support their achievements in the sciences and engineering. SSEP interns serve as a research/teaching assistants to faculty in astronomy, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, engineering, english (writting) and women's health, as well as residential counselors for the high school students. For more information contact Becci Thomas and check out the SSEP web page: www.smith.edu/summerprograms/ssep.