Research Opportunities
Research Opportunities are available to undergraduates, graduates, and advanced high school students. Numerous high school students from 11 school districts have participated in the Chemistry in Action Research Program, and have presented their work locally and nationally. It is an outstanding opportunity for students to discover the excitement of making new discoveries.
The following instrumentation is available for use in student research:
- Gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer
- Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer
- Infrared Spectrophotometer
- UV/vis Spectrophotometer
- High Pressure Liquid Chromatograph
- Technicon Autoanalyzer
Selected Research Projects:
I. Marine Studies:
- Analysis of water, sediment, and tissue samples for heavy metals and organic contaminants.
- Analysis of nutrients in water.
- Effects of pollutants on physiological processes such as reproduction and metabolism.
- Development of resistance to pollutants and effects on the ecosystem.
- Comparative study of estuaries.
- Coral Reef studies in Dowling.s coral reef lab and in the field (Jan. 18-25, 2003: Virgin Islands Coral Reef Course, 3 credits, call (631) 244-3394 for more info.)
II. Natural Product Chemistry:
- Natural product extraction, purification and identification.
- Screening for anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-cancer activity.
- Examination of natural products as a tool to trace evolutionary relationships.