Research Opportunities

Matthew Hurst

My research interests lie in two areas: (1) the development of analytical methods for the determination of trace metals in aquatic systems, and (2) the study of trace metal and nutrient cycling in natural systems with a particular interest in determining the toxicity and/or bioavailability of elemental species. Currently, the study sites used in my undergraduate research program include Humboldt Bay, Arcata Marsh, Smith River watershed, and California coastal waters.

Claire P. Till

My research focuses on measuring trace concentrations of metals in the marine environment and investigating how these trace metals impact or provide insights into biological, chemical and physical systems. Many trace metals are key micronutrients for phytoplankton; others (at sufficient concentration) are toxic; others are “tracers” that allow us to follow chemical and physical processes in the ocean.

Chris W. Harmon

My research interests are around heterogenous atmospheric chemistry. I’m interested in how small molecules adsorb to the surface of atmospheric aerosols and change their physical and chemical properties. Specifically, I am most interested in how volatile organic compounds (VOC) alter the ability of an aerosol to act as a cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) by forming an organic layer on the surface of an inorganic particle.

Jenny Cappuccio

Dr. Cappuccio is interested in how membrane and surface proteins interface on the nanoscale. The research encompasses the biochemical and biotechnology aspects of these two classes of proteins, focusing on understanding their interactions with lipids and other proteins. Student use nanotechnology tools to enable studies of GPCRs such as the CB2 receptor and other membrane proteins in lipid nanodiscs. New areas of research include investigations of novel cellulases in partership with CSUPERB and the Joint Genome Institute and applications of membrane proteins in stem cell biology.

Jeffrey B. Schineller

My research interests encompass enzymology and design of enzyme inhibitors, bioluminescence, proteomics and identification of biomarkers, interspecies signaling mechanisms, and bacterial secondary metabolites. Current work includes the identification of proteins that bind bacterial quorum sensing signals, the use of proteomics techniques to identify biomarkers for exposure to environmental toxins.

Jenny Cappuccio

Dr. Cappuccio is interested in how membrane and surface proteins interface on the nanoscale. The research encompasses the biochemical and biotechnology aspects of these two classes of proteins, focusing on understanding their interactions with lipids and other proteins. Student use nanotechnology tools to enable studies of GPCRs such as the CB2 receptor and other membrane proteins in lipid nanodiscs. New areas of research include investigations of novel cellulases in partership with CSUPERB and the Joint Genome Institute and applications of membrane proteins in stem cell biology.

Matthew Hurst

My research interests lie in two areas: (1) the development of analytical methods for the determination of trace metals in aquatic systems, and (2) the study of trace metal and nutrient cycling in natural systems with a particular interest in determining the toxicity and/or bioavailability of elemental species. Currently, the study sites used in my undergraduate research program include Humboldt Bay, Arcata Marsh, Smith River watershed, and California coastal waters.

Claire P. Till

My research focuses on measuring trace concentrations of metals in the marine environment and investigating how these trace metals impact or provide insights into biological, chemical and physical systems. Many trace metals are key micronutrients for phytoplankton; others (at sufficient concentration) are toxic; others are “tracers” that allow us to follow chemical and physical processes in the ocean.

Jenny Cappuccio

Dr. Cappuccio is interested in how membrane and surface proteins interface on the nanoscale. The research encompasses the biochemical and biotechnology aspects of these two classes of proteins, focusing on understanding their interactions with lipids and other proteins. Student use nanotechnology tools to enable studies of GPCRs such as the CB2 receptor and other membrane proteins in lipid nanodiscs. New areas of research include investigations of novel cellulases in partership with CSUPERB and the Joint Genome Institute and applications of membrane proteins in stem cell biology.

Jorge Monteiro

Luminescence is used in cell imaging to unravel cellular processes, or in disease diagnosis. Some systems can be modified to add extra functionality, such as generating reactive oxygen species that are cytotoxic and can be used for treatment. Commonly used luminescent compounds such as organic dyes and nanoparticles have limitations from photobleaching, short emission lifetimes, excitation/emission bands outside of the biological window and cell damage due to high power excitation sources.

Matthew Hurst

My research interests lie in two areas: (1) the development of analytical methods for the determination of trace metals in aquatic systems, and (2) the study of trace metal and nutrient cycling in natural systems with a particular interest in determining the toxicity and/or bioavailability of elemental species. Currently, the study sites used in my undergraduate research program include Humboldt Bay, Arcata Marsh, Smith River watershed, and California coastal waters.

Claire P. Till

My research focuses on measuring trace concentrations of metals in the marine environment and investigating how these trace metals impact or provide insights into biological, chemical and physical systems. Many trace metals are key micronutrients for phytoplankton; others (at sufficient concentration) are toxic; others are “tracers” that allow us to follow chemical and physical processes in the ocean.

Joshua Smith

Computational chemistry is used to explore compounds that are candidates for active layers in solar photovoltaic cells. These compounds include fused polyaromatic conjugated systems that are either typical light absorbing compounds to more exotic singlet fission compounds. These are studied using local and off-site supercomputer systems supported by the NSF

Jorge Monteiro

Luminescence is used in cell imaging to unravel cellular processes, or in disease diagnosis. Some systems can be modified to add extra functionality, such as generating reactive oxygen species that are cytotoxic and can be used for treatment. Commonly used luminescent compounds such as organic dyes and nanoparticles have limitations from photobleaching, short emission lifetimes, excitation/emission bands outside of the biological window and cell damage due to high power excitation sources.

Jenny Cappuccio

Dr. Cappuccio is interested in how membrane and surface proteins interface on the nanoscale. The research encompasses the biochemical and biotechnology aspects of these two classes of proteins, focusing on understanding their interactions with lipids and other proteins. Student use nanotechnology tools to enable studies of GPCRs such as the CB2 receptor and other membrane proteins in lipid nanodiscs. New areas of research include investigations of novel cellulases in partership with CSUPERB and the Joint Genome Institute and applications of membrane proteins in stem cell biology.

Jorge Monteiro

Luminescence is used in cell imaging to unravel cellular processes, or in disease diagnosis. Some systems can be modified to add extra functionality, such as generating reactive oxygen species that are cytotoxic and can be used for treatment. Commonly used luminescent compounds such as organic dyes and nanoparticles have limitations from photobleaching, short emission lifetimes, excitation/emission bands outside of the biological window and cell damage due to high power excitation sources.

Kjirsten A. Wayman

My research focuses on plant secondary compounds to study chemotaxonomy and hybridization among related plant species. A current project uses gas chromatography – mass spectrometry to characterize the floral scent composition of western North American Trillium species. The composition of floral volatiles in Trillium is used to gain insight into their taxonomic relationships, hybridization, and pollination biology. Long-term studies of floral volatiles from select populations of Trilllium may also allow us to see how the plants respond to a changing climate and its effects.

Jeffrey B. Schineller

My research interests encompass enzymology and design of enzyme inhibitors, bioluminescence, proteomics and identification of biomarkers, interspecies signaling mechanisms, and bacterial secondary metabolites. Current work includes the identification of proteins that bind bacterial quorum sensing signals, the use of proteomics techniques to identify biomarkers for exposure to environmental toxins.

Joshua Smith

Solar cells manufactured using organic photovoltaic (OPV) compounds are less expensive to produce and can be made on a flexible plastic sheet. They have not yet been found to be as efficient and robust as inorganic PVs, but these differences are being reduced every year. The efficiency of a solar cell becomes less important when one considers the cost of manufacturing and the versatility of having a flexible solar cell. Currently we are attempting to synthesize an acceptor molecule that may be used in an OPV cell. Once synthesized a cell will be fabricated and tested

Kjirsten A. Wayman

My research focuses on plant secondary compounds to study chemotaxonomy and hybridization among related plant species. A current project uses gas chromatography – mass spectrometry to characterize the floral scent composition of western North American Trillium species. The composition of floral volatiles in Trillium is used to gain insight into their taxonomic relationships, hybridization, and pollination biology. Long-term studies of floral volatiles from select populations of Trilllium may also allow us to see how the plants respond to a changing climate and its effects.

Joshua Smith

Organometallic Aryne Chemistry

Attempts are being made to synthesize, and, perhaps, directly observe small aryns (e.g., benzyne) bound to the metals facially. These complexes are expected to open new routes to a new class of substituted aromatic metal complexes by reactions with nucleophiles and to allow novel entries into the synthesis of new and interesting bicyclic ring systems after trapping with dienes in situ.

Molecular Electronics

Jorge Monteiro

Luminescence is used in cell imaging to unravel cellular processes, or in disease diagnosis. Some systems can be modified to add extra functionality, such as generating reactive oxygen species that are cytotoxic and can be used for treatment. Commonly used luminescent compounds such as organic dyes and nanoparticles have limitations from photobleaching, short emission lifetimes, excitation/emission bands outside of the biological window and cell damage due to high power excitation sources.

Joshua Smith

Organometallic Aryne Chemistry

Attempts are being made to synthesize, and, perhaps, directly observe small aryns (e.g., benzyne) bound to the metals facially. These complexes are expected to open new routes to a new class of substituted aromatic metal complexes by reactions with nucleophiles and to allow novel entries into the synthesis of new and interesting bicyclic ring systems after trapping with dienes in situ.

Chris W. Harmon

My research interests are around heterogenous atmospheric chemistry. I’m interested in how small molecules adsorb to the surface of atmospheric aerosols and change their physical and chemical properties. Specifically, I am most interested in how volatile organic compounds (VOC) alter the ability of an aerosol to act as a cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) by forming an organic layer on the surface of an inorganic particle.

Kjirsten A. Wayman

My research focuses on plant secondary compounds to study chemotaxonomy and hybridization among related plant species. A current project uses gas chromatography – mass spectrometry to characterize the floral scent composition of western North American Trillium species. The composition of floral volatiles in Trillium is used to gain insight into their taxonomic relationships, hybridization, and pollination biology. Long-term studies of floral volatiles from select populations of Trilllium may also allow us to see how the plants respond to a changing climate and its effects.

Jeffrey B. Schineller

My research interests encompass enzymology and design of enzyme inhibitors, bioluminescence, proteomics and identification of biomarkers, interspecies signaling mechanisms, and bacterial secondary metabolites. Current work includes the identification of proteins that bind bacterial quorum sensing signals, the use of proteomics techniques to identify biomarkers for exposure to environmental toxins.

Matthew Hurst

My research interests lie in two areas: (1) the development of analytical methods for the determination of trace metals in aquatic systems, and (2) the study of trace metal and nutrient cycling in natural systems with a particular interest in determining the toxicity and/or bioavailability of elemental species. Currently, the study sites used in my undergraduate research program include Humboldt Bay, Arcata Marsh, Smith River watershed, and California coastal waters.