Summer Research Opportunities in Chemistry

at Illinois State University

Professor Gregory M. FerrenceDepartment of ChemistryIllinois State UniversityNormal, IL 61790-4160

Presented to URC cohort on February 2, 2007at Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL.

Welcome to ISUhttp://www.che.ilstu.edu/

NSF-URC Site Visithttp://www.che.ilstu.edu/

Structure of ISU Chemistry Including URC

CeMaST

Pipelineblueprint

ISU Chem

Teach.chem

PRISMHigh School

Outreach

ICC IVCC

2YC/4YC-NSF-URC

CCC Science and Partners

NIH Bridges

Project SEED

ChemWest

NSFEWP

LSAMP

LSAMP

LSAMP

MSAC

2YC – 2-year college4YC – 4-year college/universityACS – American Chemical SocietyBridges – NIH funded CCC – City Colleges of ChicagoCeMaST – Center for Math, Science, and TechnologyChemWest – southwest Chicagoland high school chemistry teacher organizationDP – Distinguished ProfessorEWP – Enrichment Workshop Program – component of Szczepura’s NSF-CAREERHS – High SchoolIBHE – Illinois Board of Higher EducationICC – Illinois Central CollegeISBE – Illinois State Board of EducationISU – Illinois State UniversityIVCC – Illinois Valley Community CollegeLSAMP - Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority ParticipationMSAC – Minority Student Academic CenterNIH – National Institute of HealthNSF – National Science FoundationPFIG – Pre-tenure Faculty Initiative GrantPipeline – ISU major initiative to facilitate quality education in Chicagoland high schools and community colleges.PRF – Petroleum Research FundPRISM – Partnerships for Research in Science & Math EducationRC – Research CorporationRSP – Research and Sponsored ProgramsSEED – Project SEED was established by ACS in 1968 to help expand the career outlook of high school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.Teach.chem – ISU managed network for HS chemistry teacher continuing educationURG – University Research Grant

Vernacular

Senior Personnel (SP) Active funding reference(many SP have more than the one listed) URL with more information about SP

Data from or information regarding undergraduate research projects (freshman/sophomore accessible)

Photos of SPs and undergraduate researchers

Quote by this SP

Gregory M. Ferrence, (NSF-CHE-0348158)www.ilstu.edu/~gferren

CAREER: Crystallography And Rare-Earth Educational and Research activities

Ferrence and undergraduate researchers

“Freshman scientists bring a lot of enthusiasm; it is critical that we tap into that energy before they direct it towards other pursuits. By the time they are juniors, we have missed a window of opportunity.”-GMF

At right are shown: Freshman Kristin Geary and Samantha Robinson giving their first research poster presentation.(After 14 wk @ 4 h/wk)

We maintain the ISU Center for Structure Determination (X-ray) and carry out studies involving novel organo- lanthanide and

coordination complexes.

{HB[3-tBu,5-Me-(C3N2H)]3}Yb(I)(OC4H8)

EPR Spectrum

Magnetic Field (Gauss)

3472 3474 3476 3478 3480 3482

Computer Simulation

O

O

N

H3C C

CH3

O

O

+

“Introducing freshman and sophomore students to fundamental chemical research is one of the key factors in persuading these talented young scientists to choose a career inour field.”-SJP

We utilizeprimarilyelectronparamagneticresonance and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques to explore the chemistry of biologically important quinone anion radicals with nitric oxide.

Steven J. Peters, (Dreyfus-suppl. grant)www.che.ilstu.edu/people/faculty/peters.htm

Solution Phase Chemistry Between the Free Radical Nitric Oxide and Semiquinones

Above: Freshman David Hahn, learning from Peters, to glass blow a scientific apparatus.

Below: Amy Sudhoff, winner of our department’s 2006 Outstanding Freshman Award, and Peters.

‘“The reward is not economic’, says David Cedeño, an asst. prof. of phys. chem. and SEED coordinator at ISU.

‘The reward is seeing that these kids have a chance

in life.’” C&E News 2006, 84(12), 49-51.

Cedeño teaching Farragut Career Academy(Chicago, IL) high school students visitingISU for a “laboratory field-trip”

Our research deals with investigating how alterations in novel porphyrin molecular structure affect photophysical properties, particularly the ability to produce active oxygen species. Current investigations include the study of extended conjugation porphyrins, providing high yields of active species in the optimal red region of the visible spectrum.

David J. Cedeño, (RC-CC6382)www.ilstu.edu/~dcedeno

Rational design of photodynamic therapy (PDT) photosensitizers

“Getting students started early in their academic career is important. Not only do they learn to do research, they build confidence and experience that is invaluable during the course of their studies.”-CGH

Undergraduate researchers Danielle Corgliano (MS student at Northern IL U.)and Ben Oberts (PhD candidate at Michigan State U.)

We are interested in the preparation of novel sulphur-containing, mixed donor ligands. We are currently developing new chiral ligands for asymmetric catalysis and new multidentate ligands for heavy metal

removal. We are also interested in

using hydrogen bonds to prepare new materials.

PdCl2(PhCH2SC6H4-2-CH=NC6H4-4-NEt2)

Christopher G. Hamaker, (ISU-URGs)www.ilstu.edu/~chamake

Novel Sulphur-Containing Ligands and Crystal Engineering

Student Ramone Joyce and mentor Chris Hamaker (front)

Friesen (right) and undergraduate researchers in San Francisco

“The research laboratory is an extension of the classroom as a student becomes the epitome of an active learner, acquiring knowledge through inquiry-based instruction. Within the laboratory environment a student learns to solve problems. It is often the laboratory that provides the most effective and highest impact learning.”-JAF

At right is shown: Undergraduates Elizabeth Marshall and Chadrick Evans presenting their research poster presentation at the ASBMB National meeting in San Francisco in April 2006.

Friesen serves as director of the ISU Biochemistry / Molecular Biology undergraduate degree program,

an interdisciplinary program

administered by the Departments of Chemistry

and Biological Sciences.

DNA sequence to verify mutation of a gene

Jon A. Friesen, (NSF-MCB-0343534)www.ilstu.edu/~jafries

RUI: Cellular Role of CTP:Phosphocholine Cytidylyltransferase Isoforms

Jones and undergraduate researchers

“In my 5th year as a mentor for Project SEED students, I continue to be energized by their interest in science and how living things 'work'. They get to apply their high school chemistry and biology course work to research in my lab as we study enzymes in heme biosynthesis and development of heme analogs as potential therapies for the tropical parasite, Leishmania.”-MAJ

Above from C&E News May, 2005: Nan Lin, Project SEED student with M. Jones, now attends Bradley University, Peoria, Ill.

Marjorie A. Joneswww.ilstu.edu/~majone3

Coproporphyrinogen Oxidase Catalyzed Reactions

McLauchlan and his co-workers

“Chemistry is a laboratory science and is best appreciated in the laboratory through hands-on experiences. Involving students in laboratory work, especially in independent research, teaches hands-on chemical skills and gives students a much better ‘chemical intuition’ than merely reading reactions on a page.”-CCM

Tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane, Tpm

Then-freshman Nick Marshall works on the Schlenk line in the McLauchlan lab. (Begins University of Illinois PhD chemistry program, fall 2006)

Currently, my research interests lie with vanadium coordination chemistry, with one conceived project focused on materials and catalysis and another involving bio-mimetic activity of V complexes. These topics have been chosen with student interests and education in mind in that they each expose students to a variety of synthetic and characterization techniques while pursuing some intriguing chemical problems.

Craig C. McLauchlan, (ISU-PFIG)www.ilstu.edu/~ccmclau

Vanadium Coordination Chemistry: From Biology to Materials

“By participating in scholarly research in an atmosphere of students from diverse backgrounds, students gain invaluable professional and interpersonal experiences that will help them become leaders in academia, industry and government.”-SRH

X-ray crystal structure of an aldol adduct of an oxadiazinone (Org. Lett. 2002,4,3739).

Shawn R. Hitchcock, (ACS/PRF-40777-B1)www.che.ilstu.edu/srhitch/

Intramolecular Chiral Relay at Stereogenic Nitrogen

Shown left: Undergraduates Edwin Scott, Alexandro Dominguez and Chris Kelly conducting research on the chemistry of oxadiazinones in the Hitchcock (center) Research Group.

In our group, as many as a dozen undergraduate and masters student researchers work as a team to carry out a wide range of synthetic organic chemistry operations aimed at developing new methods for synthesizing medicinal agents that exist as single isomer drugs.

Cover of 2004-05 ISU Undergraduate Catalog featuring then-undergraduate researcher Betty Ooro working in glove box with mentor Szczepura. Betty is currently a PhD candidate in chemistry at Miami University.

Heather Bowen discusses her cluster chemistry with fellow undergraduate researchers.

“Conducting research with students from underrepresented groups early on in their college careers is important in attracting them into the major.  This is critical, as diversity is important in order to solve the complex chemical problems of today. ”-LFS

Our current focus is on hexanuclear molybdenum (Mo) and rhenium (Re) based clusters that are structurally similar to the cluster depicted above. Students conducting research in the Szczepura group have the opportunity to synthesize and characterize new cluster complexes. Common characterization techniques include NMR (1H,13C and 31P), UV-vis and IR spectroscopies.

Lisa F. Szczepura, (NSF-CHE-0239805)www.che.ilstu.edu/people/faculty/szczepura.htm

CAREER: Octahedral Hexanuclear Clusters: Fundamental Studies and Inquiry Into Potential Applications

Goldwater Fellow Denise Colby, now UC Berkeley PhD candidate, coauthored 9 papers as an under-graduate researcher with Lash

“Over the last 25 years, I have worked with over one hundred undergraduate research students, and an average of four undergraduates work in my laboratory each summer.  These students are a joy to work with, and their enthusiasm has been a major factor in the success of my research program.”-TDL

Synthesis of biologically and geochemically significant porphyrins; synthesis, spectroscopy and metalation of porphyrin analogues

including carbaporphyrinoid systems.

DP Timothy D. Lash, (NSF-CHE-0134472)www.ilstu.edu/~tdlash

Novel Macrocyclic Systems Related to the Porphyrins

ISU RSP website currently features Tim Lash and under-graduate researcher and Beckman Scholar Patrick Rauen (upper-right), who now is a chemist at deCode Genetics.

“For four years, we have been trying various methods to promote student choices within the sciences. Our NSF, NIH, IBHE and ISBE-funded projects have all shown that when students are engaged in research on real problems and with

real scientists, they begin to see themselves as scientists and their future career as being inextricably linked to science.”-WJH

Hunter’s freshman chemistry class learning to assess and evaluate peers’ chemical presentations

“Within GK12 Fellows, our evaluation protocols werevital in helping to modify the program mid-courseand to help PIs identify particular strategies that wereworking well, and to modify those that werestruggling. Without this careful and critical self-analysis, the day to day running of projects is soconsuming that leaders are in danger of simplycontinuing to do what they have done, without considering alternatives. Our expertise can help leaders to identify the key intermediate benchmarks which more likely lead to project success.”

William J. Hunter, (NSF-CHE-0086354)www.che.ilstu.edu/teach.chem

GK-12 Graduate Fellows for Science and Math Education

“About 40 undergraduates have carried out computational research in Dykstra’s group. Several have done work as early as the end of their freshman year. The majority have been co-authors on research publications, and a large fraction have continued to graduate school. Very good experience has developed for motivating and nurturing students in their first research efforts.”-CD

Clifford Dykstrahttp://chem.iupui.edu/Faculty/Dykstra/

ISU Department of Chemistry Chairperson, July, 2006.

Work in Dykstra’s groupconcerns clustering ofsmall molecules andweak intermolecular interaction with recent applications interests turning to carbon dioxide entrapment and molecular hydrogen storage technology. An invited Feature Article on this work appears in the May 25, 2006 issue of J. Phys. Chem. and it has David Swenson and Heather Jaeger as co-authors.

The cover of the issue shows the interaction energy and preferred orientations for a complex of benzene and hydrogen.

Dykstra group undergraduate investigators (2005) David Swenson, Jessica White, Sean Woodruff, and Heather Jaeger. Swenson is now working on his PhD at Berkeley, Jaeger will begin her PhD work at the University of Georgia this fall, and Woodruff is pursuing an MS at IUPUI.

J. Phys. Chem. 2006, 110, 6399 – 6407.

Dykstra brings Journal of Molecular Structure—Theochem to Illinois State. He serves as its Editor

Illinois Heartland ACSIllinois Heartland ACS

ACS-SEED at ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITYCoordinator: David L. Cedeño

SEED is a nationwide educational program sponsored by the ACS designed to encourage economically disadvantaged H.S. students into careers in the chemical sciences. The program provides them with a summer research opportunity under the mentorship of a chemistry Faculty

Nan Lin was awarded one of 40 nationwide $5,000 Bader college scholarships.

Continuously running since 200321 High school students (11-12th grade) 11 Faculty volunteer mentors (50% of Chemistry Faculty)5 High schools (4 local and 1 from South of Chicago)2 alumni have been awarded competitive nationwide ACS scholarships to attend college1 publication in a peer reviewed journal. Others in preparationScientific presentations at Regional ACS and local professional meetings Featured nationwide in C&EN Magazine (March 20, 2006)

Julian Giles published his work in Acta Crystallographica E, 2004, E60.

Julio Martinez was awarded an ACS-SEED $5,000 college scholarship.

‘The reward is seeing that these kids have a chance in life.’” C&E News 2006, 84(12), 49-51.

Mentor Marjorie Jones, Casey Huftington, Nan Lin, Delano Robinson, mentor David Cedeño

ISU-NIH-Bridges, (NIH-1 R25 GM073606-01)Coordinator: Karen Lind

The “Central Illinois Bridge Program” began April, 2005. As of the 31 January 2006 report:Aim 1: Strengthen partnerships between the community colleges and

university related to the targeted program areas.Supported the teaching of five summer courses at the partner CCs and ISU with a minority/total enrollment of 37/76.Implemented at Truman College (TC) a introductory summer Biotechnology Program for HS students and 1st year college minority students (24/24). At TC, we are creating HS/CC dual enrollment chemistry and biology courses for Farragut HS.

Aim 2: Recruit, select, and support talented students from underrepresented groups in biology and chemistry.

18 minority HS and CC students conducted biology and chemistry research at ISU.33 minority Farragut high school students from Chicago conducted experiments at ISU.

Aim 3: Expand the professional development opportunities for project students.

12 minority students presented their research at the ISU Undergrad. and HS res. symposium. 10 minority students were co-authors on published or submitted scientific papers.

Aim 4: Improve retention for under-represented students in biology and chemistry.Aim 5: Increase the number of under-represented students who enter graduate or professional schools in the biomedical sciences.Aim 6: Identify specific strategies that enhance under-represented students’ professional and career aspirations.

After year 1, most participants believed that they, personally could accomplish science. Most expressed a desire to continue on a science path in college.

http://www.che.ilstu.edu/

Good faculty.http://www.che.ilstu.edu/

26 peer reviewed papers, most with undergraduate co-authors are published annually.The 21 faculty hold active external funding amounting to over $3,000,000 (not incl URC)3 NSF CAREER Awardees2 Distinguished ProfessorsNumerous scientific presentations at professional meetings Noted in C&E News Magazine at least 4 times in the past three years Stevenson is recipient of 2007 National ACS Award for Research with Undergraduates.

2005 Cover featuring ISU’s Lash science

2006 Cover featuring ISU’s Baur science

ISU’s Stevenson honored in 2002

ISU’s Lash honored in 2004

ISU’s Jones honored in 2006 (not shown)

Great students.http://www.che.ilstu.edu/

ISU undergraduate Colby’s Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2004, 43, 1346-1349 publication include a featured fronticepiece.

Denise Colby (BS 2005) co-authored 9 manuscripts as an undergraduate researcher with Professor Lash.Matt Kiesewetter (BS 2004) co-authored 6 papers in J. Am. Chem. Soc. as an undergraduate researcher with Professor Stevenson.An average of 60 undergraduates conduct research with ISU chemistry faculty during each academic semester.An average of 50 undergraduates conduct research with ISU chemistry faculty each summer.A large number of these researchers co-author papers with facultyOur students make more than 100 annual scientific presentations at local professional events as well as Regional and National meetings annually.

ISU undergraduate Kiesewetter’s 2005 JACS publication noted as “Editor’s Choice” in Science.

http://www.che.ilstu.edu/

We hope you will stay awhile.http://www.che.ilstu.edu/

Chemistry student Betty Ooro just after receiving her diploma.

Students celebrating at Departmental graduation gathering.

Chemistry student Betty Ooro with her mother at Departmental graduation gathering.

Jenny Ausec with family at Departmental graduation gathering.