Summer Research Program in Biological Sciences and Chemistry

Faculty Name

Research Areas

Fabia Battistuzzi

Dr. Battistuzzi is a fully computational, dry lab with a focus on the evolution of microbes (prokaryotes and eukaryotes). Projects include: (i) evolution of early life, which provides students with the opportunity to work on high-end phylogenetics and molecular timing of early evolution of prokaryotes; (ii) evolution of genome complexity, with a focus on pathogens and their comparison to non-pathogenic species; (iii) software optimization for molecular clock methods carried out via large-scale simulation studies. Basic programming skills are not required to join the lab but can be helpful. 

Rasul Chaudhry

Research focuses on the molecular regulation of genes involved in stemness, potency, and differentiation of embryonic and adult stem cells. He is also interested in tissue bioengineering, stem cell-based therapies to treat degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, MS, and MD.

 Chhabi Govind

The project will involve studying transcriptional regulation in S. cerevisiae. The research focus is to understand how is RNA polymerase II responsible for transcription of all protein-coding genes, counteracts the barrier imposed by nucleosomes. Our published work indicates that a combination of factors (ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers, histone modifying complexes and histone chaperones) work together to dynamically disassemble nucleosome from the path of elongating Pol II, and reassemble in its wake.

Mary Jamieson

Research will focus on plant ecology. Potential projects may involve the study of plant pollinators, habitat restoration, and/or plant chemical defenses and signaling.

Mi Hye Song

Molecular and genetic mechanisms of centrosome assembly; Mitotic spindle assembly and function; Cell cycle regulation using the nematode C. elegans.

Scott Tiegs

Geographically separate ecosystems are often ecologically connected by flows of carbon and nutrients. Dr. Tiegs' research employs field-based experimental and observational approaches — usually in aquatic ecosystems — with the aim of better understanding how human activities impact aquatic ecosystems, and how undesired effects can be ameliorated through ecological restoration

Luis Villa-Diaz

The Villa-Diaz lab focus in investigating the role of integrin alpha6 in stem cells. Integrin alhpa6 is a transmembrane receptor, that we have identified as the only common protein translated in all stem cell populations, from pluripotent stem cells to cancer stem cells. In our laboratory we use human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells to generate other stem cell populations such as neuronal stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and cardiac stem cells, to investigate the role(s) that integrin alpha 6 plays on their development, self-renewal, connection with their stem cell niche, and differentiation.

Doug Wendell

Use of environmental DNA and DNA fingerprinting to monitor for invasive species in Michigan.

Randal Westrick

Pathologic blood clotting (thrombosis) leading to heart attacks, strokes and venous thromboembolism is the leading cause of death in the USA. While the risk of developing thrombosis is known to be 60% heritable, only a few of the responsible genes have been identified. Our laboratory in using mouse heart attack and venous thromboembolism models to identify the genes involved in thrombosis.

Faculty Name

Research Areas

Adam Avery

The research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that control morphogenesis and maintenance of intricate neuronal structures, and how these mechanisms are disrupted to cause neurological disease.  The lab employs protein biochemical, and genetic and live imaging approaches using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly).   Students in the lab have the unique opportunity to explore questions in neurobiology at both the single molecule and whole organism level.

Kodiah Beyeh

It is very challenging to develop new materials with well-defined properties based on specially designed properties of the molecular constituents for the translation of the intrinsic properties of molecules into material properties. It is therefore essential to have control over the molecular interactions and orientation to create function in the material. In our group, we work on designing supramolecular materials through high-affinity and selective binding of several bioanalytes with synthetic supramolecular receptors possessing defined cavities.

As a Summer Student in our group, you would perform cutting-edge experiments in a dynamic research environment. You would learn how to prepare different receptor-substrate assemblies and investigate their chemical and physical properties with the use of novel experimental techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Mass spectrometry, Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) etc).

Ferman Chavez

In animals, carotenoids yield essential precursors for vision, embryonic development, cellular homeostasis, and immunity (Vitamin A). Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenases (CCDs) are enzymes capable of producing carotenoid derivatives. They generally catalyze the cleavage of carotenoid carbon-carbon double bonds. The ferrous ion is coordinated to 4 histidine nitrogens. In this work, we aim to probe the structure-reactivity relationship for the CCD active sites using small molecule model compounds. 

Roman Dembinski

Novel Synthetic Methods

Nucleoside (DNA/RNA) Analogs

Bioorganic and Organometallic Chemistry

Fluorous Chemistry

Michael Sevilla

Mechanisms of Radiation Damage to DNA

Electron Spin Resonance Analysis for Free Radicals

Quantum Chemistry Calculations of Free Radical Properties and Structure

David Szlag

Specific problems that we are investigating utilize qPCR to quantify and identify changes in aquatic microbial communities.  These methods can be applied to recreational water quality, invasive species, and the problems experienced by Toledo and other Lake Erie Water Treatment Plants.  We are also developing new mass spec methods for endocrine disrupting chemicals and cyanobacterial toxins.

Evan Trivedi

Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry

Tetrapyrrole and lanthanide coordination chemistry; synthetic methods

Luminescence spectroscopy; solid state and near-infrared

Therapeutic development in vitro; tissue culture and fluorescence microscopy

Drug development in vivo; molecular imaging in small animal models

Colin Wu

The primary research focus is to dissect the molecular mechanisms by which DNA repair enzymes function and to investigate how their defects contribute to the early onset of genetic disorders. In particular, how the FANCJ DNA helicase and the BRCA1 tumor suppressor carry out their DNA repair activities. Mutations in FANCJ and BRCA1 are strongly linked to the onset of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and Fanconi anemia. A combination of biochemistry, single-molecule biophysics, and structural approaches to use to gain a detailed understanding of the macromolecular interactions involved in this DNA repair network.  Work in the lab involves:

·       Protein-DNA interactions

·       Enzyme mechanisms

·       DNA repair

·       Cancer metabolism

Ziming Yang

·       Biogeochemical transformation of organic carbon in soils, rivers, and lakes

·       Organic-mineral/metal interactions in the environment

·       Kinetics, mechanisms, and thermodynamics of organic reactions in hydrothermal systems

·       Mineral-catalyzed reactions in green chemistry

Xiangqun Zeng

The research focus is the study of fundamental and applied interfacial phenomena, particularly the design and control of molecular characters and characterizations of the dynamic reactions at electrode interfaces. Current projects in my lab are: (1) Understanding the interfacial composition, structure and properties of ionic liquids and conductive polymers for sensor, electrocatalysis and energy storage applications; (2) Applying principles from chemistry and biology for directed assembly or synthesis of thin films of conductive polymers, biological molecules (peptides, proteins and carbohydrates), cells and inorganics on electrode surfaces; (3) Developing miniaturized analysis platforms that combines high performance, miniaturized electrodes and instrumentation electronics with multi-transduction-mode sensor array devices by collaboration with engineers. All these projects are interdisciplinary in nature that involves the use of multiple electrochemical, spectroscopic and microscopic techniques in order to determine the composition, structure and dynamic interfacial reactions and/or properties at electrode interfaces