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Undergraduate Research Opportunities

  1. UNO
  2. College of Arts and Sciences
  3. Department of Chemistry
  4. Research
  5. Undergraduate Research Opportunities

  • Related Resources

  • CAS Research

Get Involved in Research That Matters

Research allows you to pursue your interests, to learn something new, to hone your problem-solving skills and to challenge yourself in new ways.

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.


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.

Undergraduate Research and Employment

Among the skills that employers say they look for in job candidates, "research skills" are close to the top.

Learn More.

Contact Us

  • Department of Chemistry
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  • Phone: 402.554.2651

  • Email: unochemistry@unomaha.edu

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