Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Chemistry Research Opportunities

Working on a faculty-initiated research project gives you the opportunity work closely with a mentor–a faculty member or other experienced researcher. With a self-initiated research project, you leave UNO with a product that represents the distillation of your interests and studies, and possibly, a real contribution to knowledge.

When registering for Undergraduate Research (CHEM 4950) it is expected that you will put in at least 3½ to 4 hours of research time in the laboratory a week. In addition, a presentation of your work is required, usually in the form of a poster or seminar.

Below is a list of professors with a brief description of their research and the necessary skills/requirements to begin research in their laboratory. If you are interested in doing research with one of the following professors, please talk with them about your interest and the possible research projects available to you.

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Biochemistry
Preferred Experience	General Chem II and a preference for completion of Organic Chem (CHEM 2260/2274)
Research Description	Our lab uses absorbance spectroscopy to study the mechanistic details of flavoproteins involved in the biodegradation of aromatic compounds.
Contact	Dr. John Conrad

Physical/Atmospheric Chemistry
Preferred Experience	Organic Chem II Lab (CHEM 2274) and a preference for completion of Physical Chem II.
Research Description	Our lab uses infrared spectroscopy to look at water uptake by and release from aerosol particles commonly found in the atmosphere.
Contact	Dr. Joshua Darr

Analytical Chemistry/Spectroscopy
Preferred Experience	Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 2400/2404)
Research Description	Project 1 – Using Raman spectroscopy to study the transformation of pharmaceutical compounds. Project 2 – Analysis of contaminants in biodiesel using near-infrared spectroscopy.
Contact	Dr. Alan Gift

Organic Chemistry
Preferred Experience	CHEM 2260 & 2274
Research Description	We make compounds to treat botulism or tropical diseases. A project involving photochromic compounds is available. Alternatively, students could develop new experiments for 2274 (e.g. polymer synthesis, comparative aromatic bromination, and others.)
Contact	Dr. Jim Hagen

Biochemistry
Preferred Experience	General Chem II and a preference for completion of Organic Chem (CHEM 2260/2274)
Research Description	Our lab studies a tumor suppressor protein to determine how protein structure relates to overall protein function.
Contact	Dr. Jodi Kreiling

Biochemistry
Preferred Experience	Taking or completed Biochemistry
Research Description	Project 1 – Protein expression in thermophilic organisms.
Contact	Dr. Richard Lomneth

Organic Chemistry
Preferred Experience	Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 2274)
Research Description	Our lab investigates the chemical properties of estrogen metabolites and how these metabolites can initiate cancer.
Contact	Dr. Doug Stack

Physical Chemistry
Preferred Experience	General Chemistry II and Physics 2120, Physical Chemistry II preferred
Research Description	Our lab does computer modeling to look at changes in the electron density of molecules when influenced by intramolecular forces.
Contact	Dr. Ed Tisko

Medicinal Chemistry/Computational Chemistry/Organic Chemistry
Preferred Experience	Organic Chemistry I (CHEM2250)
Research Description	Computational design and synthesis of protein kinase inhibitors; molecular dynamic simulations of macromolecule-ligand interactions; and sequence and structural analysis of influenza viruses.