Research Projects:

Partnership, Research Description, and Potential Projects:

We show some of the examples of partnership between UIC mentors and Japanese mentors for the international REU program and potential research projects. Of course, we will generate projects based on your qualifications and research interest.

Also see our mentor list

NMR and Biomolecules

Research in Prof. Ishii’s Group ¾ Prof. Ishii’s research is centered on developments of new solid-state NMR (SSNMR) methods and application of the advanced methods to biomolecules and novel materials. For example, he recently demonstrated new methods to obtain ¹³C and ¹H high-resolution SSNMR for paramagnetic systems. The work has attracted international attention because SSNMR of paramagnetic systems has been notoriously difficult due to its poor sensitivity and the difficulty in signal assignments. The new techniques solved the problems by providing ways to obtain significant sensitivity enhancement and efficient signal assignments. Another aspect of Prof. Ishii’s research is SSNMR analysis of detailed structures of insoluble neurodegenerative-disease related peptide and protein aggregates, which are associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Because of insolubility of the aggregate, SSNMR is the only known effective method to elucidate atomic-level structures of these peptides . Although his group is focused on fundamental biophysical aspects in the structures of these aggregated peptides and proteins, his research impacts areas spanning neuroscience and drug development.

In Prof. Ishii’s lab, there are research projects suitable for undergraduate students. One example is structural analysis of neurotoxic fibrillized fragments (11-residue) of a-synuclein, which is a 140-residue protein linked with Parkinson’s disease. This project will expose students to interdisciplinary research involving analytical chemistry, biophysics, and neuroscience. Other research projects suitable for undergraduate students are (1) Synthesis and SSNMR characterization of paramagnetic metal-peptides complexes. (2) Computer simulation of NMR spectra under extremely fast magic angle spinning.

Research in Prof. Takegoshi’s Group (Kyoto) ¾ Prof. Takegoshi is internationally renowned for his development of novel solid-state NMR methods and SSNMR analysis of synthetic polymer materials. Among his excellent work, his recent demonstration of hyper nuclear polarization in solids with CIDNP astonished scientists in the field for its high efficiency. About 70 % of the nuclear polarization can be attained by this method (100 % corresponds to all a or b states). The technique will be used for initialization of spin systems in quantum computation using nuclear spin. For the REU research, Prof. Takegoshi will provide hands-on research projects on these subjects. He will explain the students about what their projects mean in a big picture of the subjects. Specific projects for the students will be combinations of (1) construction of ENDOR device and (2) NMR experiments using the devices.

The research in Prof. Takegoshi’s laboratory has good overlaps with SSNMR studies conducted in Prof. Ishii’s group. Both groups develop new SSNMR methods and substantially use advanced techniques of SSNMR such as manipulation of the spin Hamiltonian using RF fields. Prof. Takegoshi’s group is oriented to physical chemistry and uses unique equipment for CIDNP using laser pumping and ENDOR. In contrast, Prof. Ishii’s group emphasizes importance of biological aspects and prepares biomolecule samples in his lab. The benefit of the exchange program is that students will be exposed to different types of advanced research using similar principles and equipment.

Surface Chemistry

Research in Prof. Trenary’s Group ¾ The research interests of Professor Trenary’s group span the areas of physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and the chemistry of inorganic materials. The structure and chemistry of solid surfaces is a theme that unites all of the different projects. Specific areas of study are related to important technological fields such as heterogeneous catalysis, semiconductor processing, growth of thin film materials, and nanotechnology. These studies are typically conducted on well-characterized single-crystal samples under carefully controlled ultra high vacuum conditions. His students use a variety of specialized surface science techniques such as Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) for their research. In a separate project, they characterize the surface structure and chemistry of a class of materials known as the boron-rich solids. In a project directly related to heterogenous catalysis, they are using diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy to characterize activated carbon powders that are used as supports for fuel cell catalysts.

Opportunities for undergraduate researchers exist in all of the areas studied by Professor Trenary’s group. The following list shows examples of the types of projects available: (1) X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy of thin films on silicon surfaces. (2) Studies of the surface properties of the boron-rich solids (3) Theoretical calculations of vibrational spectra of cluster models of molecular adsorbates.

Research in Prof. Domen’s Group (Tokyo Institute of Tech.)¾ Prof. Domen at TIT is a leading expert in the field of surface science and heterogeneous catalysis. His group’s research interests cover a broad range of surface science including surface spectroscopy, surface reaction dynamics, heterogeneous catalysis, mesoporous materials, and photocatalysis. Particularly, his recent work on surface reaction dynamics probed by nonlinear laser spectroscopy have established his international reputation. Prof. Domen plans to design hands-on experiments involving this subject to expose the REU students to the advanced research in his lab. Example projects include “ultrafast dynamics of adsorbed molecules using sum frequency generation” and “infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy study on adsorbed molecules”.

The type of research performed in Professor Domen’s laboratory has strong overlaps with the surface science research conducted in the group of Professor Trenary at UIC. Professors Domen and Trenary share an interest in using vibrational spectroscopy to characterize the structure and properties of molecular adsorbates on transition metal surfaces. Both groups use reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy in their research. In addition, Professor Domen’s group uses more advanced laser-based optical probes of surfaces such as sum frequency generation. Hence, exchanging students between the two laboratories is ideal in terms of advanced science education and research collaborations.

Laser Chemistry and Reaction Spectroscopy

Research in Prof. Gordon’s Group ¾ Prof. Gordon’s research interests include coherent control of molecular reactions, molecular optics, and laser ablation of materials. For the former project, his group employs the principle of quantum mechanical interference to control the rates and branching ratios of chemical reactions. In a typical experiment they excite hydrogen iodide molecules with three ultraviolet photons of frequency w₁ and one vacuum ultraviolet photon of frequency w₃ = 3w₁. These two paths interfere with each other, and by varying the relative phases of the two light sources they produce constructive or destructive interference between them. A key finding is that it is possible to control the branching ratio of a reaction (in this case ionization vs. dissociation) because the phase dependence of the products varies for different reaction channels. The phase lag between different product channels is a new observable that provides new information about the continuum properties of a molecule. In another project, ultrashort laser pulses are used to modify surfaces, with a special interest in biological materials.

Research opportunities for undergraduates exist in each of the areas studied by Gordon’s group. These include (1) Laser machining of biological scaffolds for cell growth, (2) Application of ultrashort laser pulses to ophthalmic surgery, (3) Tailoring of ultrashort laser pulses with a spatial light modulator and their characterization with a frequency resolved optical gate.

Research in Prof. Kawasaki’s Group (Kyoto) ¾ Prof. Kawasaki is an internationally recognized physical chemist, with expertise in spectroscopy, reaction dynamics, and environmental science. Recent Prof. Kawasaki’s research interest covers the following areas: (1) Chemical reaction dynamics with laser spectroscopy. (2) Atmospheric chemistry. (3) Surface-interface properties and photophysical chemistry of photosensitive materials. Prof. Kawasaki has supervised 150 undergraduate students in research and published about 20 articles with them. Based on his experience in undergraduate education, he will design good hands-on projects related to the above subjects, depending on the students’ qualification.

Prof. Kawasaki’s research has a perfect match with Prof. Gordon’s research. We expect a synergetic effect in the research collaboration between the two labs through undergraduate student exchange. Prof. Kawasaki has more application oriented projects, and thus students will know how techniques used in Prof. Gordon’s lab can be used in applications such as environmental chemistry.

New Organic Chemistry

Research in Prof. Gevorgyan’s Group ¾ Prof. Gevorgyan is interested in the discovery of new metal-catalyzed reactions, investigation of their mechanisms and, based on these new reactions, development of novel methodologies for synthetic organic chemistry. The area of Prof. Gevorgyan’s interest is concerned with the development of highly selective annulation and benzannulation reactions, catalyzed by late transition metals, particularly palladium. His group anticipates an application of these methodologies towards the synthesis of important multifunctional aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds. They have recently discovered a highly chemo- and regioselective palladium-catalyzed intermolecular trimerization of three different alkynes that leads to multifunctional benzenes, thus partly solving the long-standing problem of regioselective intermolecular trimerization of alkynes.

Prof. Gevorgyan has been very active in research-based undergraduate education with several undergraduate students in his labs at regular basis. Based on the experience, he will provide the REU students with research projects selected from the above-mentioned subjects.

Research in Prof. Yamamoto’s Group (Tohoku) ¾ Prof. Yamamoto’s groups has been studying the development of novel synthetic reactions using main group organometallics and transition metal catalysts, and their application to the stereoselective synthesis of natural products. The major research results of Prof. Yamamoto’s group are as follows: (1) Hemibrevetoxin B, 1-beta-methylcarbapenem, and some alkaloids have been synthesized using main group organometallics. (2) Transition metal catalyzed novel C-C bond formation reactions, such as the addition of pronucleophiles to unactivated olefines and benzannulation of conjugated enynes, have been developed. He is one of the leading scientists in the field. Prof. Yamamoto’s lab has 4 staff members, 4 posdocs, and 24 graduate and 6 undergraduate students. The projects suitable for the REU students are (1) development of new synthetic transformations with molecular catalysts and (2) their application to the synthesis of biologically active compounds.

Prof. Yamamoto and Prof. Gevorgyan worked together for a long time until recently, and their research interest overlap quite well. Hence, exchanging students between these groups is a natural selection for us. The reunion of the excellent chemists will produce beneficial collaboration in addition to significant educational effects. Prof. Yamamoto’s lab is working on a variety of projects involving medical and environmental chemistry. That would broaden the students’ views on synthetic chemistry.

More Partnership and Mentors:

We are currently enhancing connections with suitable professors in Japan. There will be an extended list of partner researchers in Japan before the program starts.

Click faculty’s name to visit the home page of your potential mentors.

Analytical Chemistry

Name	Institutes	Common interest
Yoshitaka Ishii	UIC Chemistry	Solid-state NMR (SSNMR)	SSNMR of biomolecules and materials
Takegoshi Kiyonori	Kyoto Univ.		Development of new SSNMR methods
Luke Hanley	UIC Chemistry	Surface Chemistry	Surface modification
TBA	TIT
Scott Shippy	UIC Chemistry		Neuro-analytical chemistry
TBA

Physical Chemistry

Mike Trenary	UIC Chemistry	Surface science & spectroscopy	Surface IR spectroscopy
Kazunari Domen	TIT		Surface dynamics and catalysis
Robert Gordon	UIC Chemistry	Applications in laser science	Coherent controls
Masahiro Kawasaki	Kyoto Univ.		Laser spectroscopy
Tim Keiderling	UIC Chemistry	Protein folding	Optical spectroscopy of biomolecules
TBA	Kyoto Univ.
Cynthia Jameson	UIC Chemistry	Computational chemistry	Computational Chemistry of NMR chemical shifts
TBA

Biochemistry

Wonhwa Cho	UIC Chemistry	Protein engineering	Membrane protein, protein engineering
TBA	Kyoto Univ.		Protein engineering
Gabriel Fenteany	UIC Chemistry	Biochemistry	Cell biology using small molecules
TBA

Organic Chemistry

Vladimir Gevorgyan	UIC Chemistry	Organometallic reactions	New synthesis methodologies
Yoshinori Yamamoto	Tohoku Univ.		Organic synthesis using metals
Duncan Wardrop	UIC Chemistry	Synthesis of natural products	Total synthesis of natural products
Masahiro Hirama	Tohoku Univ.		Total synthesis of natural products
Martin Newcomb	UIC Chemsitry		Radical reactions
TBA	Tohoku Univ.