REU Site: Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Chemical Assembly at the University of Nebraska

化学系颁发的这一奖项支持内布拉斯加州大学本科生研究体验(REU)网站，该网站由Andrzej Rajca、Mark Griep和Marilyne Stains领导，从2012年开始，为期三个夏天。该网站将在为期10周的计划中，每年夏天为9名学生提供支持。这些项目的重点是化学组装，并专门为激发学生的好奇心而量身定做，鼓励学生问：“为什么？”以及“如何做到？”关于他们的研究。项目样本包括：(1)组装纳米簇催化剂；(2)在类药物分子中引入氟的后期阶段；(3)用于纳米杂化材料的共轭/连接元素的合成；(4)药物-蛋白质相互作用的快速分析；(5)使用生物分子的电化学传感器；(6)用于有机磁体的有机自由基、自旋标记和磁共振造影剂；(7)用于骨移植的复合生物材料；(8)具有半导体特性的石墨烯纳米结构的组装；(9)作为蛋白质功能开关的大分子组装；(10)具有高指数面的贵金属纳米晶体。此外，学生将培养与科学家(会议摘要、海报和口头演示)和科学学习者(开发和实施迷你课程)交流他们的研究的技能，他们将了解工业(通过实地考察)和学术界的职业，他们将接受最先进的工具和伦理方面的培训。通过一项竞赛，每年有五名学生将获得旅行津贴，并在美国化学学会的地区或全国会议上展示他们的研究成果。年轻科学家需要接触现代研究方法和工具，作为他们培训的一部分。这个REU网站旨在提供与信息技术、靶向药物、功能材料、能源储存等领域的创新相关的化学组装方面的尖端研究培训。该网站将为大量原本可能无法接触到的学生提供研究机会。参与该网站研究的不同学生群体将为进入研究生院并最终成为该国技术劳动力的一部分做好充分准备。

This award from the Division of Chemistry supports a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site at the University of Nebraska led by Andrzej Rajca, Mark Griep, and Marilyne Stains for three summers, commencing in 2012. The site will support nine students per summer in a ten week program. The projects focus on chemical assembly and are specifically tailored to stimulate student curiosity by provoking students to ask, "Why?" and "How?" about their research. Sample projects include: (1) assembling nanocluster catalysts; (2) late stage introduction of fluorine into drug-like molecules; (3) synthesis of conjugation/linking elements for nanohybrid materials; (4) rapid analysis of drug-protein interactions; (5) electrochemical sensors using biomolecules; (6) organic radicals for organic magnets, spin labels, and MRI contrast agents; (7) composite biomaterials for bone grafts; (8) assembly of graphene nanostructures with semiconductive properties; (9) macromolecular assembly as a switch for protein function; (10) noble metal nanocrystals with high index facets. In addition, students will develop skills in communicating their research to scientists (meeting abstract, poster and oral presentations) and science learners (development and enactment of a mini-lesson), they will learn about careers in both industry (through field trips) and academia, and they will be trained on state of the art instruments and in ethics. Through a competition, five students each year will receive a travel grant to travel and to present their research at a regional or national meeting of the American Chemical Society.Young scientists need exposure to modern research methods and tools as part of their training. This REU site aims to provide cutting-edge research training in chemical assembly of relevance to innovations in the areas of information technology, targeted medicines, functional materials, energy storage, and beyond. The site will provide opportunities for research to a significant number of students who might not otherwise be reached. The diverse student cohort participating in research at this site will be well-prepared for graduate school, and eventual employment as part of the country's technical workforce.