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 or regional meetings sponsored by the Murdock Charitable Trust, ACS or Oregon Academy of Science. Linfield students may apply for summer research positions funded by endowed fellowship programs at Infield 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. Diamonds 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's interests are focused in experimental physical chemistry and nanotechnology, including characterization of the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles, Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman scattering. 

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'smajor 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 - 2009 - 2010

• Dylan Sorber (Chemistry, Class of 2010):  Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Characterization of Protiens.
• Michelle Wang (Class of 2012):  Characterization of Alkyl Substituted Polyoxotungstates by Langmuir-Blodgett and Electrochemical Techniques.

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, Spokanne, WA, October 2009.
• 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, Spokanne, WA, October 2009.

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 Ag_100-xAu_x 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-(dimethyl)amino 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.