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Research Interests of the Chemistry Department Investigative research lies at the heart of all
of the experimental sciences. In chemistry, research can take many
forms, from synthesizing compounds to building computational models
or gathering and analyzing data using a wide variety of instruments
and techniques. If you are interested in learning more about what
chemists really do, joining a research group and taking on an independent
research project is an excellent place to start!
Dr.
Keith Beyer, Physical Chemistry
Dr.
Jeff Bryan, Nuclear Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry Dr.
Curt Czerwinski, Organic Chemistry Dr.
Ressano Desouza-Machado, Analytical Chemistry Dr.
Sandra Grunwald, Biochemistry Dr.
Janet Kirsch, Physical/Theoretical & Inorganic Chemistry
My research uses different computational techniques to answer fundamental questions about the bonding in solids and on surfaces. I am particularly interested in developing explanations, based on bonding theories, for the ways in which different surfaces reconstruct. For additional information contact: kirsch.jane@uwlax.edu
Dr. Adrienne
Loh, Biophysical Chemistry Dr.
Rob McGaff, Inorganic Chemistry Dr. Paul Miller, Polymer Chemistry Dr.
Aaron Monte, Organic/Medicinal Chemistry Dr.
Heather Mortell, Organic Chemistry For additional information contact: mortell.heat@uwlax.edu
Dr.
Aric Opdahl, Analytical Chemistry Chemistry at surfaces and interfaces; surface spectroscopy and microscopy; biosensor design; mechanical behavior of thin films; molecular assembly at interfaces. For additional information contact: opdahl.aric@uwlax.edu
Dr.
Kris Rolfhus, Analytical Chemistry My research interests are focused in environmental
chemistry, particularly the geochemical cycling and reactivity of
toxic heavy metals with significant human health effects such as
mercury and arsenic. Currently, I am working with Canadian scientists
to evaluate the effects of hydroelectric reservoir creation and
seasonal flooding events on the microbial synthesis of methylmercury,
a potent human neurotoxin. I am also studying the speciation and
distribution of mercury in Lake Superior and its tributaries, as
well as in the Voyageurs National Park region of northern Minnesota.
These metals exist in extremely small quantities in the environment,
such that contamination-free sample collection and analytical techniques
are applied, as well as the use of a dedicated "clean room"
facility. For additional information, contact rolfhus.kris@uwlax.edu
or visit http://www.uwlax.edu/faculty/rolfhus. Dr.
Jamie Schneider, Chemical Education
Dr. Todd Weaver, Biochemistry |
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University
of Wisconsin-La Crosse 1725 State Street La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601 (608) 785-8000
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For additional information contact me at:
My
research interests involve the design and synthesis of new inorganic
compounds that may also serve as 
My
research interests are in the area of organometallic chemistry,
specifically as related to the synthesis of molecules that mimic
industrial catalysts and the discovery of new organometallic reactions.
Organometallic chemistry targets the interface between organic chemistry,
the study of carbon-based molecules, and inorganic chemistry, the
study of metals like chromium, tungsten, and iron. Combining these
two areas involves synthesizing new molecules that have metal-carbon
bonds and exploring reactions otherwise unavailable in traditional
organic or inorganic chemistry. My research group synthesizes air-sensitive
organometallic molecules using equipment that allows for manipulation
of chemicals without exposing them to air, and studies the structure
and rearrangement mechanisms of these molecules using infrared and
nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. For additional information
contact: 
I
am seeking to develop capabilities to measure absolute molecular
weights and "sizes" of macromolecules in solution. The
macromolecules could be biological in nature such as proteins,
or man-made as polymers. To elucidate the information, we will
employ multiangle light scattering (MALS). I would also like to
extend an invitation to those students who would like to tinker
with instrumentation, to work with me in improving our current
offerings as experiments in upper level chemistry courses. For
additional information contact: 
My
research program focuses on the study of the relationship between
metalloproteins. The current project is characterizing the relationship
between the iron-storage protein, ferritin, and iron-containing
protein, nitrogenase, in the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Azotobacter
vinelandii. Since I use bacteria as a model system to study meltaaloproteins,
this project is well-suited for students interested in biochemistry
or microbiology. For additional information contact: 
My
research program is centered on peptide and protein structure and
dynamics. The way that a given protein functions is governed by
its shape (its structure) and the way that it moves (its dynamics).
We are using short helical peptides as models of large proteins.
Students in my group have the opportunity to synthesize the molecules
of interest, then characterize the structure and flexibility of
their peptides using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
For further information, contact 
Research
in my group is focused on finding rational synthetic routes to extended
solid-state compounds in response to technological demands for such
materials. We concentrate on the synthesis of transition metal compounds
that are constructed by linking metal atoms with multifunctional
ligands, which are chemical entities that can attach to two different
metals at the same time, thus connecting them. We are particularly
interested in nitriles and borate fragments as potential ligands
for linking transition metals, concentrating especially on rhenium,
nickel, copper, platinum, vanadium, and chromium. For additional
information contact: 
The
focus of my research is in the area of polymer chemistry. More
specifically, my interest is in the physical and chemical behavior
of polymer colloids (latexes) as well as their potential applications.
By altering the chemical composition of the latex, we can "tune"
the latex to be more or less compatible with certain substrates.
Also, we can build catalytic sites into the latex particles, which
can increase their activity and lead to new applications. Here
at UW-La Crosse, my research is centered on using polymer latexes
for drug delivery as well as for the catalytic neutralization
of organic contaminants (chlorinated hydrocarbons, pesticides,
etc.) in ground water. For additional information contact: 
My
research interests lie in two main areas of medicinal chemistry:
My area of specialty is in chemical education research. Specifically,
I am interested in studying the overall effectiveness of guided
inquiry teaching strategies on influencing cognitive skills and
perceptions as learners of chemistry.For additional information
contact: 
Research
in my laboratory is focused in two main areas. The first area
of research uses the hemolysin system from Proteus mirabilis to
characterize the activation of bacterial toxins during pore formation.
The overall goal of this project aims to characterize the structural
differences between the secreted (active) and non-secreted (inactive)
forms of hemolysin A. The second area of research aims to characterize
the recruitment of low-barrier hydrogen bonds during enzyme catalysis.
We have numerous mutant forms of fumarase C and in the process
of collecting steady-state kinetic and X-ray diffraction data
on each form. For additional information contact: