Undergraduate research plays a vital role in the chemistry curriculum at Loyola University. All majors are encouraged to join a research group early in their academic studies. It is in the research lab where students have the opportunity to apply ideas learned in the classroom to real-world problems for which there are no solutions in the back of a book.

Students receive academic credit for participation in research projects during the academic year and over the summer. Students may also have the opportunity to receive stipends for their research activities. We encourage chemistry majors to contact faculty members to discuss research opportunities in their laboratories.

Kurt Birdwhistell, Ph.D.
Dr. Birdwhistell’s group applies the principles of “Green Chemistry” to design new environmentally benign synthetic pathways to inorganic and organic molecules. Green chemistry involves the application of a set of principles to reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous materials in the synthesis of chemical products. His group’s current projects in “Green Chemistry” involve the application of four synthetic strategies: (1) Reducing energy requirements of reactions by applying Microwave Assisted Synthesis (MAS); (2) Eliminating organic solvents in synthetic reactions by using an environmentally beneign solvent such as water, or no solvent; (3) Replacing hazardous mineral acids such as sulfuric or phosphoric acid with safer solid acid alternatives; and (4) designing new water-soluble catalysts for the replacement of catalysts normally used in organic solvents.  Check out Dr. Birdwhistell's website for more information.  

Lynn Vogel Koplitz, Ph.D.
Dr. Koplitz’s group does research in a number of areas of physical chemistry, especially spectroscopy, with applications to materials science, environmental studies, geochemistry, and photochemistry. Other interests include hydrogen bonding in cyanomethylpyridinium salts; computational chemistry; copper/zinc oxide surface science; sediments and aqueous solutions of environmental and geochemical interest.

Jai Shanata, Ph.D.
Dr. Shanata is an organic chemist who specializes in chemical biology. Dr. Shanata’s research employs several techniques, including patch clamp electrophysiology, which allows for single-molecule studies of proteins in real time. His lab’s research focuses on the application of organic chemistry to advance understanding in several fields: (1) the role that cell membranes play in modulating how drugs work, (2) how specific lipids and cholesterol impact the distribution and function of membrane proteins, (3) the distribution of a class of carcinogens (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in the environment and biological systems, (4) separation (partitioning) of cellular components including enzymes. Current research projects include studies of the mechanism of action of a potential therapeutic treatment for Essential Tremors, the relationship between molecular properties and the water solubility of carcinogens, and the role of amphiphilic molecules in the development of lipid rafts and the origin of self-replicating systems.

Thomas Spence, Ph.D.
Dr. Spence is a physical chemist with extensive experience in design and construction of spectroscopic instrumentation. Research interests include laser-based trace-gas detection using cavity ring-down spectroscopy. His research group is currently developing a system to determine isotopic abundances using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Check out Dr. Spence’s website for more information.

Joelle S. Underwood, Ph.D.
Dr. Underwood is an atmospheric physical chemist with research interests in two main areas. Undergraduate research students work with her to study the water uptake processes and chemical reactions of atmospherically relevant aerosol. Students are also involved in the development of analytical techniques for studying the physical and chemical properties of atmospheric aerosol.  Check out Dr. Underwood's website for more information. 

William Walkenhorst, Ph.D.
Dr. Walkenhorst is a physical biochemist with research interests in the areas of molecular recognition, ligand binding, and protein folding and design. His research group frequently studies the secondary structure of large biomolecules using circular dichroism spectroscopy.