Student Research
View the Fall 2024 Chemistry Research Symposium
Why research?
The bedrock of science is experimentation and observation. Research cannot be taught; it must be done. Undergraduate student research is an important link between the classroom and graduate school research and is a key ingredient in the training of scientists.
Undergraduate student research under the supervision of a chemistry professor allows
students to work on real scientific problems. Students experience the difficulties
of devising and performing experiments to probe the unknown. They are given the opportunity
to taste the thrill of discovery and to share their work through presentations at
the American Chemical Society, the Tennessee Academy of Science, the APSU Research
Forum, and similar meetings of scientists.
Chemistry Research Classes
Chemistry 2940: Introduction to Research- Lecture
Theory of experimental design including methods, techniques, and information resources (library, on-line, etc.) typically used to conduct laboratory research. Ethics and professional behavior of researchers. Not a co-requisite for CHEM 2941.
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Prerequisite: permission of instructor, 1 credit hour, meets 1 hr/wk
Chemistry 2941: Introduction to Research- Laboratory
Experiment design including methods, proper lab conduct, record-keeping, ethics, chemical safety and waste disposal, techniques, and information resources in a specialized area. Progress or completion of a laboratory research project under the guidance of chemistry faculty and presentation of work is expected. Not co-requisite for CHEM 2940. May be repeated one semester.
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Prerequisite: permission of instructor, 1 credit hour, meets 3 hrs/wk
Chemistry 4941: Elements of Research
Independent original research on individual projects; chemical literature review and presentation of results. May be repeated until project is completed; however, approval of department chair is required for more than eight hours.
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Prerequisite: permission of instructor, CHEM 2940 or 2941 recommended, 1,2, or 3 credit hours
Chemistry 4990: Research Thesis
Preparation of a thesis and oral presentation of original research. Thesis must follow the guidelines of the ACS Style Guide and the Chemistry Department, and will be evaluated by a committee which will include the department chair or his/her degree.
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Prerequisite: CHEM 4941 and permission of instructor, 1 credit hour
Current Research Topics
Some of the current research topics or areas are briefly described below. For more information visit the homepage of the instructor or contact the instructor via the e-mail address provided.
Dr. Carrie Brennan does a wide variety of analytical and materials research! She specifically works with electrochemistry, environmental chemistry, and glass thin films. Come see her if you are interested.
He is interested in technological devices based on solid materials that have certain chemical, physical or electronic properties. Their group is involved in basic research, which addresses fundamental issues and challenges affecting materials used in chemical sensors, environmental remediation, biomaterials and metal matrix nanocomposites for structural reinforcement. Current research interests include photoelectrical CO2 fixing using oxide-based photodiodes, nanostructured materials for biomedical imaging, development of photoreactive semiconductor oxides for anti-biological or chemical decontamination applications, development of sensors for metal ions detection and metal matrix nanocomposites for structural reinforcement.
He has many research interests in computational chemistry ranging from properties of small molecules to large surfactant and protein systems. He is willing to take on any project, though his current projects are on photoelectron circular dichroism, hydrogen transmission through graphene and the electronic properties of doped tin oxide. Dr. Covington also maintains several computer codes, so any students interested in coding can contribute.
Her group is working to develop an assay for the detection of nicotine in complex e-cigarette samples using electrochemistry and colorimetry. This assay could be used commercially to help small stores demonstrate the quality of their product. They are also using high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography with nicotine calibration curves to quantitatively analyze the quality control of electronic cigarettes. In conjunction with Dr. Mann, they are also working to synthesize new carotenoids with fast electron transfer properties. After these new compounds are made, instrumental analysis on these products will be performed, to see if these new molecules could be incorporated into electrochromic devices as a faster and more energy efficient technology.
Dr. Mann’s research lies in the field of chemical toxicology. Her students do research on essential oils, the medical claims made by the essential oil industry, and toxicological effects of essential oils. Projects have included studying the estrogenic effects of lavender oil on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and, more recently, analyzing the essential oil of frankincense to determine whether boswellic acids, molecules known for their anti-cancer properties, are found in the oil as well as the resin. Pedagogical projects include presentation of environmental toxicity and the ethics it entails to organic chemistry students as well as novel lab experiments to teach multifaceted organic chemistry concepts.
Studying Fischer esterification producing various hexyl acetates, followed by physical and spectroscopic analyses, especially 1D and 2D NMR studies. The products will be identified using bp, refractive index, GLC, GCMS, IR, plus PMR, CMR, GATEDEC, DEPT45, DEPT90, DEPT135, DEPTQ135, COSY, HSQC and HMBC NMR experiments.
She is interested in extraction, isolation and characterization of compounds from medicinal plants. Her group is working on extracting compounds from cinnamon bark using distillation and chromatography techniques. Then they will characterize isolated compounds using NMR and IR instruments.
His research interests are in protein kinases and proteins that may bind to specific kinases in the cell. These enzymes catalyze the transfer of the g-phosphate from ATP to specific serine, threonine or tyrosine residues of target proteins. Of particular interest are the cyclic-nucleotide dependent protein kinases, PKA and PKG, and their involvement in signal transduction pathways. One technique used to isolate proteins that bind to PKA or PKG is cAMP-agarose chromatography. Student researchers in his lab have recently verified that one such cAMP-agarose binding protein is the Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase (NDPK) that is responsible for shifting phosphate groups among various phosphorylated forms of the nucleotides. His group is now trying to determine the number of subunits it has in its natural complex state. They are using Western blotting, column chromatography and native gel electrophoresis to accomplish this goal.
Her group is investigating a low temperature synthesis of zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8) which shows isotropic negative thermal expansion. Prepared nano-particulate ZrW2O8 will be incorporated into a polymer thin film to give a composite material that has controllable thermal expansion. They are also investigating a novel synthetic preparation of nanoparticulate silver and studying the antimicrobial efficacy of prepared samples.
Summer Research Experiences
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REU: Summer is an excellent time to do research. Summer REU's can be applied toward your APSU chemistry degree. The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds many research opportunities at schools across the United States. To find NSF funded REUs that you can apply for, check out this link: . Contact any chemistry faculty for more information about applying to these programs.
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UREF: The Undergraduate Research Enrichment Funds have replaced the Presidential Research Scholars and Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Programs. The UREF Program provides up to $3000 to student-faculty teams in support of scholarly and creative activity. Funds can be used to support project-related expenses (equipment, supplies, etc.), student stipend and/or travel, and up to $500 in professional development funds for the faculty mentor. Contact our department chair or chemistry faculty for more information.
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IRIS: Dr. Brennan is working with the Physics Department on a three-year, $300,000 International Research Experience for Students (IRES) grant from the National Science Foundation that will send 18 Austin Peay State University College of STEM students to universities in the Czech Republic, France, and Poland. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, contact Dr. Brennan.
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Internships: Contact Dr. Sullivan to learn about internship oppurtunities.