Collaborative Research

Welcome to a collaborative scientific community.

Collaborative research between undergraduates and faculty is strongly supported in the chemistry department. You are encouraged to become involved in research with many beginning research projects as early as your first year!

• Research opportunities are available during the summer months as well as during the academic year
• You may be asked to present your work at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), as well as other local and regional scientific conferences
• Great experience for student’s post-graduate plans including industry, graduate schools, and other professional schools like medical, dental, and veterinary

Faculty and student presentations

Brenna Gomez (Chemistry, Class of 2016) was interviewed about her beer research at the 2016 National Meeting of the American Chemical Society!

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. Andrew Baggett’s research interests are primarily in the area of organic synthesis. Students in his lab work on two main projects: performing the synthesis and biochemical testing portions of a collaborative computational drug design project, and investigating new carbon-carbon bond forming reactions involving alkyl and aryl boronates and oxidative copper catalysis.
• Dr. Megan L. Bestwick’s research interests focus on biochemical processes within the mitochondria of cells. Currently she is interested in determining how transcription factor proteins within the organelle stimulate or repress transcription of mitochondrial DNA using an in vitro transcription system. 
• Dr. Brian D. Gilbert’s research interests are in the area of molecular spectroscopy, nanotechnology, and brewing science. Current students in his research group are developing gold nanoparticle based probes for cellular sensing and drug delivery.  He is also working with students and local breweries to develop analytical methods to support the growth of the brewers in Yamhill county. 
• 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.