Research
Research is central experience promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for an effective career portfolio.
The research projects at the UND Chemistry department encompass a broad range of topics funded by external agencies. These include nanoscience sensors and materials, development and characterization of renewable materials, computational studies, and atmospheric studies. In addition, in collaboration with faculty in the Department of Biomedical Science, students can also pursue biochemistry/biomedical oriented research.
Focus on Characterization of Complex Matrices Using Chromatographic Mass Spectrometric Methods
Research mentor: Alena Kubatova
- Chemical characterization of renewable chemicals from lignin
- investigation of organic constituents of air particulate matter
- LC-MS determination of resveratrol antioxidant in rat liver tissue
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Research mentor: Julia Zhao
Research Area
- Development of fluorescent nanomaterials for bioanalysis and bioimaging
- Development of various-nanomaterials for oil recovery and catalysis
- Development of graphene-based nanomaterials for detection of trace analytes
- Fundamental studies on nanoscience and nanotechnology
Trace Metal Analysis
Research mentor: David Pierce
Research Area
- Trace Metal analysis of environmental samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Investigation Applied Reaction Pathways
Research mentor: Jenya Kozliak (in collaboration with A.Kubatova)
- Study of wood aging (with Marvin Windows, Inc) using thermal desorption-pyrolysis with gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
- Pathways of PAH formation in pyrolytic/combustion processes
High-Value Carbon Products and Critical Materials from Coal
Research mentor: Alexander Azenkeng
- Preparation and characterization of coal-derived graphene materials. This project can be carried out together with computational work described below.
Sustainable Materials, Photochemistry, and Organic Synthesis
Research mentor: Qianli 'Rick' Chu
Research Area
- Study and application of supramolecular chirality
- Development of photochemistry Synthesis of sustainable materials from renewables
Materials Chemistry and Catalysis for Energy Applications
Research mentor: Weixin Huang
- Synthetic methodologies for atomically precise nanomaterials
- Catalysis for grand global challenges in energy and environmental sustainability
- Understand the surface evolution of catalysts under reaction conditions
Biodegradable Polymers Synthesis and Catalysts
Research mentor: Guodong Du
- Synthesis and Development of (Bio)degradable Polymers
- Polymers with various compositions and architectures
- Utilization of carbon dioxide and flare gas
- Green Chemistry and Catalysis
Organic and Polymer Chemistry, Smart Nanomaterials, and Biomedical Science
Research mentor: Binglin Sui
- Synthesis of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers for biomedical applications
- Synthesis of organic multi-photon fluorescent and photoacoustic probes for bioimaging
- Development of smart nanomaterials for biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics
- Investigation of mechanisms of therapeutic effects in cancer therapy
- Development of multi-modal theranostic nanosystems for the treatment of cancers and neurological diseases
Research mentor: Mark Hoffmann
Research Area
- Computational surface chemistry
- Computational combustion chemistry
High-Value Carbon Products and Critical Materials from Coal
Research mentor: Alexander Azenkeng
- Ionic liquid-based green solvents for extracting rare earth elements (REEs) and critical minerals from coal. This project can be carried out together with analytical work described above.
Research mentor: Min Wu
- The molecular mechanisms of P. aeruginosa (PA) respiratory infection and its relationship with airway inflammation (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD).
- The fundamental mechanisms of stem cell/progenitor differentiation, tissue repair, immunity, and homeostasis via knockout mice, siRNA, miRNA, advanced microscopy and chromatin immunoprecipitation.
Research mentor: Archana Dhasarathy
- The role of epigenetic events in cancer metastasis, and particularly, a process known as ‘Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition’ (EMT), which causes cells to change their shape and migrate.
- DNA-protein interactions leading to gene regulation, including next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics.
Research mentor: James Foster
- Examination of the regulation of the dopamine transporter by the fatty acid modification, S-palmitoylation using various biochemical methods.
- Dysregulation of brain dopamine homeostasis via altered dopamine transporter function associated with schizophrenia, depression, attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), drug abuse and Parkinson's disease.
Research mentor: Sergei Nechaev
- The role of epigenetic events in cancer metastasis, and particularly, a process known as ‘Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition’ (EMT), which causes cells to change their shape and migrate.
- DNA-protein interactions leading to gene regulation, including next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics.
Research mentor: Keith Henry
- The interaction between antidepressants and drugs of abuse such as ecstasy, amphetamine, cocaine and bath salts with the serotonin and dopamine transporters using molecular, biochemical and pharmacological methods.
- Understanding long-lasting epigenetic changes in the brain that occur upon early life exposure to antidepressants and how these changes result in altered adult behavior.
Research News
