Student Research Projects
Jonathan DeMaria (Chemistry and Applied Physics Senior)
Evaluation of different force fields on the structure of RNA hairpin loops using AMBER.
Angela Nichols (Biochemistry Senior) and Kaitlyn Cook (Biochemistry Junior)
Using fluorescence to study the binding of ciprofloxacin:europium complexes to DNA containing mismatched base pairs.
- Video of Angela with Spectrofluorometer
- Research poster of Angela's and Alex's Spring 2020 ACS poster
Angela Nichols (Biochemistry Senior)
Structure of DNA duplexes containing mismatched base pairs using NMR and molecular modeling.
Alexander Frank (Biochemistry Senior)
Structures of small molecules bound to the CUG triple repeat associated with the muscle degenerative disease myotonic dystrophy using NMR and molecular modeling.
Video Alex Structure Determination using NMR
Alex Frank just started the secondary structure of COVID-19’s genomic RNA untranslated regions associated with protein expression and initiation of replication.
Kelsey Wolfe (Biochemistry Junior) and Kaitlyn Cook (Biochemistry Junior)
In silico docking of small molecules to COVID-19 proteins and RNA as well as RNAs associated with myotonic dystrophy and Huntington's. Bioinformatics of COVID-19 RNA sequences to identify potential therapeutic targets.
Sarah Kurbs (Chemistry Junior)
Analysis of cardiotonic steroids from fireflies using liquid-chromatography/mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Aslam Haroon (Biochemistry Senior)
Analysis of amino-acid toxins found in the box elder bug, Boisea trivittata, by chemical derivatization and mass-spectral analysis.
Swar Dakein (Chemistry Senior)
Synthesis of sulfur-boron frustrated Lewis pairs and probing its ability to capture and activate nitric oxide and its congeners.
Bethany Anderson (Chemistry Sophomore)
Synthesis and characterization of diimines which features a frustrated hydrogen bond that can be used to capture nitric oxide.
Angela Nichols (Biochemistry Senior)
Synthesis of chalcone analogs utilizing a modified Suzuki coupling for use as potential tubulin binding agents.
Kevin Crosta (Biochemistry Senior)
Design and synthesis of B-ring modified combretastatin analogs for use as potential chemotherapeutic agents.
Brandon McDonald (Biochemistry Senior)
Synthesis of colchicine binding agents utilizing a Suzuki coupling method of biaryl ring systems.
Erin Kalsman (Chemistry Junior)
The analysis of industrial coke – which is derived from coal and used as a fuel in many applications – for toxic contaminants such as derivatives of polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons.
Parker Dickinson (Biochemistry Senior)
Investigating the apparent formation of chlorinated and brominated methoxy phenols in Great Lakes fish from metabolic pathways.
Sarah Clements (Chemistry/Chemical Engineering 3/2 program Junior)
Studying the chemical features of industrial coke, and is currently using bomb calorimetry to measure the heat content of different sources of coke. She will also be analyzing these coke products for toxic heavy metals, such as mercury, chromium, and cadmium.
Tricia Gallagher and Joshuel Velasco (Biochemistry Junior)
Analysis of air samples for combustion related air pollution reaching western New York from prevailing winds from the midwestern United States.
Sample Student Research Posters
- Secondary Structure of RNA
- SHAPE of and Internal Ribosome Entry Site
- Structure of an RNA Triple Repeat Sequence
Advanced Experimental Biochemistry Posters
- Green Fluorescent Protein
- Bacterial identification using MALDI-TOF
- NMR structure of a TT DNA mismatch