Graduate Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Graduate Student (GRA and GTA) Positions AvailableThe Department of Chemistry seeks qualified applicants year-round in all areas of chemistry for GRA and GTA positions. For fall 2012 we especially welcome applications in the following areas: Atmospheric Chemistry: Dr. Lynn Mazzoleni Biochemistry: Dr. Pushpa Murthy Organic Chemistry: Dr. Lanrong Bi
For more information please visit the Department of Chemistry graduate program page. Interested students are strongly encouraged to apply. |
The Chemistry Department offers M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs. Both are research-based degrees which give you the opportunity to make new discoveries in chemical science and related disciplines. Check out the research groups below to explore the current activities in the MTU Chemistry Department. Highlighted projects have immediate openings for talented, creative, and motivated research students.
The Chemistry Department is collaborating with the Department of Education to offer a Master's International Peace Corps program in Applied Science Education (program website). This program allows you to combine Peace Corps service with an MS degree.
Peace Corps Master's in Applied
Science Education
Research Areas in the Department of Chemistry:
Analytical / Environmental |
Dr. David J. Chesney |
Biochemistry |
Dr. Tarun K. Dam |
Chemical Education |
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Inorganic |
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Materials Chemistry / Nanochemistry |
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Organic |
Dr. Dallas K. Bates |
Physical / Theoretical |
Dr. Richard E. Brown (emeritus) |
Polymer |
Dr. Patricia A. Heiden |
Solid State |
Highlighted Research Projects
View as a PDF- Nanomedicine develop biomolecular-nanoparticles capable of targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells. Carbohydrate and peptide-based bioconjugates of metal nanoparticles are small enough for optimal cellular uptake, targeted delivery localizes the particles specifically to cancer cells and a controlled release mechanism provides a therapeutic dose of drug to cancer cells and spares healthy cells. (Dr. M. Thompson)
- Polymer synthesis, processing, and testing projects in areas related to nanoparticles, nanofibers, nano-, wood- and bio-composites. (Dr. P. Heiden)
- Solid state structural characterization, structure-property relations, including point defect structures; using vibrational spectroscopy (IR, Raman, & inelastic neutron scattering) and ab initio, solid state vibrational calculations; studying Ni and Li-ion battery electrodes. (Dr. B. C. Cornilsen
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Mechanistic Glycobiology: major areas of research include: (i) Molecular basis of lectin (glycan-binding protein)-mediated immune regulation and pathogen invasion, (ii) Biomolecular thermodynamics and (iii) Nutritional aspects of plant lectins and plant lectins as glycan detection tools. (Dr. T. K. Dam).
- Medicinal chemistry development of novel molecular probes for DNA sequencing analysis and disease gene discovery; development of new imaging and therapeutic agents towards cancer and cardiovascular disease; design and synthesis of novel prodrugs of peptides and peptide mimetics aimed at enhancing their bioavailability and target selectivity. (Dr. L. Bi)
- Development of new catalysts for the formation of carbon-carbon and carbon-hetero atom bonds; design and synthesis of chiral ligands for enantioselective catalysis; synthesis of conformationally rigid macrocyclic peptide combinatorial libraries for screening bioactive molecules; design, synthesis and biological evaluation of antisense oligonucleotides. Requires persistent enthusiasm in organic synthesis. (Dr. S. Fang)
- Identification of transient radical compounds in tobacco smoke. Requires careful analytical chemistry and some organic synthesis. (Dr. S. A. Green)
- Synthesis and testing of ultrasensitive fluorescent probes for cells and proteins based on conjugated polymers, dendrimers, and nanoparticles. Requires skills in organic synthesis and analytical chemistry. (Dr. H. Liu)
- Bio-organic chemistry projects including: (i) Recombinant expression of alkaline phytase. (ii) Signal transduction in plants - investigation of the metabolism of inositol phosphates by molecular biology and mass spectrometry. (iii) Monitoring phosphate concentration in cells: development of a phosphate sensor. Requires a strong chemistry background and a desire to learn biochemical techniques. (Dr. P. Murthy)
- Atmospheric Chemistry: The Mazzoleni research group aims to assess aerosol climate uncertainties and secondary chemical processes by understanding aerosol organic composition at the molecular level. We use advanced mass spectrometry techniques to unravel the inherent complexity of aerosol organic compounds for individual compound identification. For more information please see http://www.chemistry.mtu.edu/~lrmazzol/. (Dr. L. Mazzoleni)
- Protein Chemistry related project to study biochemical and biophysical properties of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s and Prion diseases. The goal of the project is to study consequences of protein misfolding in vitro and how they relate to misfolding in vivo. A strong background in protein biochemistry and molecular biology would be an advantage. (Dr. A. Tiwari)
Visit http://www.mtu.edu/grad/ for more information about MTU Graduate School.