2013 Undergraduate Summer Research in Chemistry

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Much of our undergraduate research program is supported by the National Science Foundation REU program.

General Information for Summer 2013 Program:

Apply: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/2394

Application Deadline February 3, 2013

Students will engage in an intensive 10-week research project under the mentorship of a Harvey Mudd College faculty member. Our undergraduate research program begins tentatively May 28 - August 2, 2013 (May 27 and July 4 are holidays). Depending on class year, stipends are set at $4600-$4800. Strong priority will be given to students from Harvey Mudd College OR students from other colleges and universities who are past or current participants of the Upward Bound college preparatory program, Project SEED, or similar programs. A very limited number of additional positions may be open to other highly qualified candidates who do not have access to research opportunities at their home institutions. Applicants will be receive notice of their status (accept/decline/wait list) by February 19, 2013. Harvey Mudd College is a private, undergraduate college of science and engineering located in Claremont, California, about one hour east of Los Angeles. Click here for FAQs. Other questions should be directed to: kimberly_young@hmc.edu

Summer Research 2012

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Karukstis and Van Hecke Lab
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Hawkins Lab
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Vosburg Lab
Haushalter Lab

Professor	2013 Brief Research Titles	Extra information
Lelia Hawkins	Atmospheric chemistry: Characterization of light absorption and total organic carbon content of amine-aldehyde secondary organic aerosol. The Hawkins lab has a sampling system to collect atmospheric aerosol particles (like smog), measure the UV/vis absorption spectrum of discrete samples, and measure the total organic carbon content of the particles. To improve this system, we need to determine its sensitivity to laboratory conditions. Student(s) will (1) test the system to ensure no contamination from in-house air, (2) monitor the system over a variety of temperature conditions, and (3) measure particles from the LA air for a continuous period of time. A literature-based research project will support the analysis process to aid in understanding how brown carbon aerosol forms. Atmospheric chemistry: Developing chemical force microscopy for analyzing atmospheric aerosol particles. Single-particle morphology and composition for atmospheric aerosol measurements require special facilities off-campus. In lieu of this resource, we have begun to use Atomic Force Microscopy to measure individual particles here at HMC. Student(s) will (1) develop a method to apply chemical force microscopy to atmospheric samples, and (2) analyze atmospheric particles with the newly modified technique. Atmospheric chemistry: Developing a “fog” chamber to learn how fog formation and evaporation impact particulate matter composition. Many studies have shown that the presence of overnight fog can alter the chemical composition and mass of particulate matter. Sulfate in aerosol particles is elevated when air containing sulfur dioxide passes through clouds. Aqueous processes like this also impact the organic components of particles, but are less well understood. The Hawkins lab would like to develop a way to simulate fog conditions so that ambient (atmospheric) particles can be exposed to fog and then sampled. These particles can be compared to non-fog particles to learn more about the role of fog. Students will help design and build a super-saturation chamber to make fog in the lab.	Email Dr. Hawkins for more information.
Adam Johnson	Organometallic chemistry and asymmetric catalysis. My research involves the design and synthesis of amino alcohol ligands with tunable steric and electronic properties in order to develop better organometallic catalysts for interesting organic transformations. We use the standard techniques of organic synthesis as well a glove box or Schlenk line for working with air sensitive transition metal complexes. Our work uses variable temperature one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, kinetics experiments and theoretical modeling. I anticipate three main avenues of research for summer 2013: synthesis of new ligands, synthesis of new substrates, and mechanistic studies.	Email Dr. Johnson for more information. Homepage information is found here. Research information is found here.
Kathy Van Heuvelen	Bioinorganic chemistry investigates the role of metals in biological systems. Research in my group centers on two types of unusual reactivity exhibited by the nickel-containing cofactor F430 (found in the enzyme methyl-coenzyme M reductase, shown at right) and the cobalt-containing cofactor cobalamin (found in Vitamin B12). First, both cofactor F430 and cobalamin catalyze the dehalogenation of chlorinated pollutants in the environment. Second, cofactor F430 can catalyze the oxidation of methane, which is a major component of natural gas as well as a potent greenhouse gas. We will synthesize and characterize synthetic model compounds that reproduce key features of cofactor F430 and cobalamin in order to learn more about this unusual reactivity. To this end we employ a variety of experimental tools, including standard inorganic synthetic techniques, spectroscopy (UV-visible, IR, NMR), and computational chemistry.	Email Dr. Van Heuvelen for more details.
Hal Van Ryswyk	Design, synthesis, and characterization of zinc porphyrin dyes for use on nanostructured zinc oxide photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells.	Homepage information is found here. Email for more information
David Vosburg	Biomimetic cyclizations in organic chemistry. Syntheses of bioactive natural products using fascinating pericyclic cascades, microwave activation, and organocatalysis. Developing innovative green chemistry experiments for undergraduate laboratories. Including microwave activation, self-assembly, and solvent-free reactions.	Homepage information is found here. Email Dr. Vosburg for more information.