University of Northern Iowa Chemistry Department

Undergraduate research in chemistry here at UNI is a valuable opportunity for students to gain practical knowledge and experiences that will provide a solid foundation for further study and future employment. Fields of research include analytical chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, and physical chemistry. Researchers develop more than just an ability to perform laboratory techniques, critical thinking and problem solving is an important part of any research project. Researchers also have some fun with weekly barbeques on the patio, volleyball matches, and other social activities.

How do I get involved?

To start, look at the titles. Find some projects that are interesting to you. Feel free to find the student researcher that worked or is working on the projects of interest and ask them for their opinion of the project. Also, meet with the faculty member that mentors the project, any professor would gladly speak to any interested student about their research projects. Once a project is selected, discuss with the professor how to be incorporated into their research project and group.

Kayla Allison (Chemistry and Biochemistry), James Jurgenson (Biology), Ira Simet (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Isolation of a Gene Marker for DNA Polymerase Alpha Catalytic Subunit in Gallus domesticus.

Bruce Dykstra (RAISE), Laura Strauss (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Annealing Study of Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors, Cd_(1-x)M_(x)Sb, (M = Cr, Mn, x = 0.025 - 0.100)

Samantha Enabnit (Biology), Martin Chin (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of a Rhodium Bimetallic Complex

B.I. Gamb (Physics), P.I. Skirtachenko (Physics), L.H. Strauss (Chemistry and Biochemistry), T.E. Kidd (Physics)
Tunneling Spectroscopy Studies on Intercalated TiSe₂ Single Crystals

Matthew Graaf (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Shoshanna Coon (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Surface Chemistry of Benzene, Acetylene and Ethylene on Porous Glass

Benjamin Hale (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Jeffrery E. Elbert (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Synthesis of N-Butyl-4-(N.N-Bis-2'-Aminoethyl)Amino]-1,8-Naphthalimide

Adiann Hovey (Chemistry and Biochemistry), James Jurgenson (Biology), Ira Simet (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Isolation of a Gene Marker for DNA Polymerase Alpha Catalytic Subunit in Thermomyces lanuginosa

Bitao Luo (Chemical Engineering, ENSCR, France), Duane Bartak (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Andre Darchen (ENSCR, France)
Feasibility of Recycling CCA-Treated Wood to Wood-Cement Composite

Thu Mai (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Shoshanna Coon (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Gerard Thiel (Industrial Technology)
The Center for Advanced Bio-Based Binders (CABB)

C.J. Massina (Physics), P.I. Skirtachenko (Physics), B.I. Gamb (Physics), L.H. Struass (Chemistry and Biochemistry), T.E. Kidd(Physics)
Unexpected Mobility and Diffusion of Gold on Titanium Diselenide

Marina Medvedeva (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Mitchell Parr (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Shoshanna Coon (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Was She Poisoned?

Naresh Pandy (Chemistry and Biochemistry), James Jurgenson (biology), Nalin Goonesekere (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Identification of Virulence Genes in the Plant Pathogen F. verticillioides

Mitch Patterson (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Ian Williams (Industrial Technology), Shoshanna Coon (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Bio-Based Replacements in Foundry Sand Binders

Jaclyn Scott (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Jeffery Elbert (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
The Synthesis and Photochemistry of Cyclen4

Andrew Simonson (Chemistry and Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, ENSCR), John Bumpus (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Dominique Wolbert (Chemical engineering, ENSCR)
Adsorption of Natural Organic Matter Constituents on Activated Carbon

P.I. Skirtachenko (Physics), B.I. Gamb (Physics), L.H. Struass (Chemistry and Biochemistry), T.E. Kidd (Physics)
Topographical Differences Between TiSe₂ and Mn_0.05TiSe₂ Single Crystals

Derek Thomas (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Jeffery Elbert (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
A Study of Photochemical Reactions of 4,N-Dibutyl-1,8-Napthalimide

Rebecca Wilson (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Jeffery Elbert (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
The Synthesis and Photochemistry of Cyclam4

John Wozniak (RAISE), Kirk Manfredi (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Measuring Antioxidants with Fluorescein Probe

Acknowledgements. Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Program was made possible by the hard work of both students, teachers and faculty. The UNI College of Natural Science, the UNI Department of Chemistry, and the UNI Office of International Programs provided stipends and support for this year’s undergraduate students and the RAISE project funded research bu high school teachers. The Department of Chemistry is most appreciative of the continuing support for undergraduate research given by the University of Northern Iowa Provost Office and the College of Natural Sciences.