Student-Faculty Collaborative Research
Collaborative research between undergraduates and faculty is an area of commitment for the department and Linfield College. These research experiences are extremely helpful for those intent upon pursuing a career in chemistry and other scientific disciplines. All chemistry students are encouraged to become involved in research. Some begin research projects in the laboratory as early as their first year. The chemistry department encourages interdisciplinary collaborations for interested students with Linfield's Physics, Mathematics, Art, and Biology departments and Linfield Research Institute.
The department emphasizes the role of the student in presenting the outcome of research in a professional setting. Students working on research in the department are asked to present their work at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in the undergraduate research poster session sponsored by the Division of Chemical Education. Students and faculty together have been regular participants at national ACS meetings. Students are also encouraged to present their work at a number of local and regional meetings sponsored by the Murdock Charitable Trust, ACS, and the Oregon Academy of Science. Linfield students may apply for summer research positions funded by endowed fellowship programs at Linfield or to numerous outside funded programs at other colleges, universities, companies, and national labs.
Faculty Research Interests
Dr. Elizabeth J.O. Atkinson's principal areas of interest include both analytical and organic chemistry. Her current research includes synthesis/characterization of octa-substituted phthalocyanines, decomposition of hazardous compounds using electrified micro-heterogeneous catalysis, and the study of sonoluminescence in aqueous media.
Dr. James J. Diamond's interests include physical chemistry, nonlinear dynamics in chemistry, and spectroscopy. His research interests include molecular modeling, ab initio calculations of electronic structure problems, and fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics.
Dr. Brian D. Gilbert: My research is based on developing nanoparticles for use in chemistry, medicine and solar energy. Students who work with me synthesize silver, gold and silica (glass) nanoparticles of various composition. We then use the nanoparticles to study how different molecules interact with them, using laser-based techniques (Raman and surface-enhanced Raman scattering). By doing this research, we hope to learn about how nanoparticle size and composition can affect the reactivity of molecules at the nanoparticle surfaces, track changes in drugs and biomolecules to better understand how they function, and to help build more efficient solar-cell devices. Students at any stage in their career, and from any major on campus, can (and have) participate in my research. If you want to read a more detailed description of my research, contact me directly, and I would be happy to talk with you about current research projects.
Dr. Thomas J. Reinert's major interests are focused in inorganic chemistry, including porphyrin chemistry, organometallic chemistry, and chemical applications of group theory. His current research interests include the controlled synthesis of asymmetric porphyrins, the chemistry of wine-making, molecular modeling, and the design of computer-integrated laboratories for the general chemistry curriculum.
Dr. Robert Wolcott's major interests are in biochemistry and organic chemistry. His current research interests include applications of HPLC techniques to assay biological samples and improvement of organic laboratory experiments for undergraduate education.
Current Research Activity - 2010 - 2011
- Andrew Carpenter (Chemistry, '12): Characterization of Alkyl Substituted Polyoxotungstates by Electrochemical Techniques. Andrew is working with Dr. Elizabeth Atkinson.
- Daniel Namazi (Chemistry, '15) {Theoretical Study of Rotation Barriers in Conjugated Species and Interpretation of surface-enhanced Raman spectra}. Daniel is working with Dr. Jim Diamond.
- Joell Reyes (Chemistry, '12) {Investigation of the conditions and interpretation of surface-enhanced Raman scattering of proteins specifically bovine serum albumin (BSA) with colloidal silver} and Kristina Webster (Chemistry, '12) {Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of para-nitrobenzoic acid on Ag-coated Au nanoparticle surfaces.} Joell and Kristina are working with Dr. Brian Gilbert.
- Amanda Wolf (Chemistry, '13) Investigation of the conditions of surface enhanced Raman scattering of enzymes, specifically lysozyme, with colloidal silver. Amanda is also working with Dr. Brian Gilbert.
Faculty and Student Presentations
2009 - 2010 (Linfield authors are bold-faced):
- Dylan Sorber and Brian Gilbert, Investiation of the conditions for surface-enhanced Raman scattering of proteins on colloidal silver. Presented at the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Research Conference, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, October 2009, the Oregon Academy of Science meeting at Concordia University in Portland, OR, February 2010, and the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco, CA, March 2010.
- Michelle Wong and Elizabeth Atkinson, Characterization of Three Novel, Alkyl Substituted Polyoxotungstates by Langmuir-Blodgett and Electrochemical Techniques. Presented at the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Research Conference, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, October 2009, the Oregon Academy of Science meeting at Concordia University in Portland, OR, February 2010, and the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco, CA, March 2010.
- Christopher Jennes, Yuhong Cao and James Diamond, Electronic States of Hydrogen Trapped in a Spherical Well. Presented at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco, CA, March 2010.
2008 - 2009 (Linfield authors are bold-faced):
- Yuhong Cao and Brian Gilbert, Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of p-nitrobenzoic acid on Ag-Au alloy nanoparticle surfaces. Presented at the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Research Conference, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, November 2008.
- Victoria Treadaway and Brian Gilbert, Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of p-aminothiophenol on Ag100-xAux alloy nanoparticles. Presented at the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Research Conference, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, November 2008; Oregon Academy of Sciences Meeting, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR, February 2009; and the national meeting of the American Chemical Society, Salt Lake City, UT, March 2009.
- Katherine Sours, Elizabeth Atkinson and Brian Gilbert, Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid-functionalized silver-gold sol-gels. Presented at the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Research Conference, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, November 2008; Oregon Academy of Sciences Meeting, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR, February 2009; and the national meeting of the American Chemical Society, Salt Lake City, UT, March 2009.
- Diane Morgan and Brian Gilbert, Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of p-(dimethylamino)cinnamaldehyde on colloidal silver. Presented at the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Research Conference, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, November 2008; Oregon Academy of Sciences Meeting, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR, February 2009; and the national meeting of the American Chemical Society, Salt Lake City, UT, March 2009.