Month: March 2014

Applications Now Being Accepted for 2014 Beckman Scholars Program

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

Beckman Foundation imageThe UO Chemistry and Biochemistry Department is currently accepting applications for the prestigious Beckman Research Scholarships for qualifying undergraduate research students. 

The scholarship is awarded to outstanding undergraduates in sophomore or junior standing to pursue extensive undergraduate research projects in chemistry. The Beckman Research Scholarship awards a total $19,300.00 in scholarship funds.

In order to qualify, students must maintain a 3.7 GPA or higher, be able to work continuously the summer of 2014 (full time), part time through the 2014-15 academic year, and full time again through the summer of 2015 in one of the participating faculty research labs.

Strong preference will be given to those students planning on pursuing a PhD in Chemistry or a related field, and who show potential to be future leaders of their field. Finalists will be interviewed by the Beckman Scholars Board.

For more information and application instructions, visit http://pages.uoregon.edu/swb/Beckman.html

The application deadline is April 25th, 2014 at 5:00PM in the Chemistry Office (91 Klamath).

 

UO Connection for New Publication – Environmental Science: Nano

Posted on by Leah O'Brien
Cover - Vol 1, Num 1, February 2014
Vol 1, Num 1, February 2014

 

photo - Jim Hutchison
Jim Hutchison

Environmental Science: Nano launched their inaugural issue in February, 2014.  UO Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty Jim Hutchison serves as an Associate Editor for this new journal published by the UK’s Royal Society of Chemistry –  the first societal journal to focus solely on environmental nanoscience and nanotechnology.

This first and subsequent issues are accessible online at: http://rsc.li/1jn0Fqm

 

Visiting Professor, Thomas Greenbowe, Receives ACS 2014 National Award

Posted on by Leah O'Brien
Thomas Greenbow
Thomas Greenbowe

Thomas Greenbowe was among the recipients honored at the American Chemical Society’s Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in conjunction with the 247th ACS National Meeting in Dallas, TX.

He was awarded the George C. Pimentel Award in Chemical Education for his “excellent teaching, contributions, and collaborative endeavors toward the advancement and recognition of chemistry education, nationally and internationally, as a discipline.”

Professor Greenbowe is currently a visiting professor with the UO Chemistry and Biochemistry department, collaborating with Senior Instructor Deborah Exton in our General Chemistry courses.   You can read more about his award and guided-inquiry approach to chemistry education in the January 27th issue of C&EN magazine.

 

 

Biochem & MolBio Graduate Rotation Talks – Wednesday, March 19th

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Rotation Talks

331 Klamath Hall
Wednesday, March 19th

TIME SPEAKER LAB
10:00 AM Keats Conley Sutherland
10:15 Anya Hopple Roy
10:30 Abigail Duffy Bridgham
BREAK
11:00 Robert Steury Guillemin
11:15 Alexander Weimer Cresko
11:30 Heather Archer Cresko
LUNCH
1:00 PM Andrea Loes DeRose
1:15 Jarrett Lebov Prehoda
1:30 James McDermott Prehoda
1:45 William Storck Stankunas
2:00 Kimberly Jones Stankunas
BREAK
2:30 Sunny Ketchum Harms
2:45 Kevin McNaught Harms
3:00 Sean Naughton Pluth
3:15 Gabriel Yette Doe

UO Alum Calden Carroll in the News, along with Chemistry and Biochemistry Professors Darren Johnson and Mike Haley

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

 SupraSensor Technologies company, whose sensors detect nitrate levels in soil, got its start in a UO Chemistry and Biochemistry research lab.

“Carroll discovered the molecule now used in the sensor when he was a graduate student studying supramolecular chemistry — the interactions between molecules — with UO chemistry professors Darren Johnson and Mike Haley. The three researchers are the company’s co-founders.

Read more in the following articles:

UO startup’s sensor could slash pollution, save billions –http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2014/03/uo-startups-sensor-could-slash.html

UO technology spinout gets Oregon BEST award for field testing –
http://around.uoregon.edu/content/uo-technology-spinout-gets-oregon-best-award-field-testing

From Lab to Field – http://projects.registerguard.com/apf/region/from-lab-to-field/ 

 

Physical Chemistry Seminar ~ Wednesday, March 12th

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

photo of Joseph Francisco
Joseph S. Francisco

Professor Joseph Francisco
Purdue University

3:30PM in 331 Klamath Hall

“Challenging What We Think We Know: The Influence of Hydrogen Bonding Interactions on Atmospheric Chemical Processes”

Abstract:
This presentation provides an overview of research developments in atmospheric chemistry and how the interplay between experiment and theory are providing unprecedented detail of the underpinning chemistry. A particular focus will be on HOx species, and in turn how these species plays an important role in maintaining the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere. The intimate details of the HOx chemistry will be discussed, in the context of recent findings which show how water and atmospheric acid catalysis play a significant role in altering the reactivity and reaction pathways for HOx species. The role of hydrogen bonding in these reactions will be highlighted.

Professor Francisco is an accomplished theoretical physical chemist who has received numerous awards and accolades. He has served as past president of the American Chemical Society and the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, and serves on many scientific advisory boards. He was recently elected as a member of the National Academy of Science.

Refreshments will be served in 377 Klamath Hall at 3:10 p.m.

Website http://www.chem.purdue.edu/people/faculty/faculty.asp?itemID=32

UO Chemistry and Biochemistry Welcomes Young Scientists from Japan

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

 

Our Japanese guests demonstrate the Oregon "O" with their UO undergraduate tour guide.
Our Japanese visitors demonstrate the Oregon “O” with their undergraduate guide during their tour of the university.

A group of Japanese students visiting Eugene’s Churchill High School got to spend a day talking science at the University of Oregon on Tuesday, March 4th.

The UO Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry along with the Nanoscience Open Research Initiative (NORI) hosted students Ayaka Hikitawho, Hiroki Suyama, and Haruka Oda along with their teacher, Mr. Ryosuke Yamashita, from Miyazaki Kita High School, a science high school in Japan.

Assistant department head Julie Haack served as their guide, arranging a full day of activities. In addition to touring the university, the group spent time in the Lokey Laboratories where they had the opportunity for some hands on experience with the instrumentation in the CAMCOR facility. The visitors also gave presentations about their own research projects to UO Chemistry and Biochemistry graduate students, followed by tours of the laboratories of Jim Hutchison, Darren Johnson, Ken Prehoda.

More photos of their visit are posted on our Facebook page.

Thanks to the following UO chemistry community members who assisted Julie Haack in welcoming our guests: Motoaki Honda and Dr. Ryuichiro Maruyama (NORI), Kurt Langworthy (CAMCOR), Ed Elliott (Hutch Lab), Kara Nell (Darren Johnson Lab), Emma Downs (David Tyler Lab), Romano (Guenza Lab), and Lyle McPherson (Prehoda Lab).

Organic/Inorganic Seminar ~ Friday, March 7, 2014

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

Photo Scott Phillips
 

Professor Scott Phillips
Penn State University

Friday, March 7, 2014
2:30 pm, 331 Klamath Hall

“New Organic Strategies in Reagent Design for Point-of-Care Diagnostics”

Abstract:
The talk will describe the design of small molecules and polymers that enable selective detection and signal amplification in the context of point-of-care diagnostics.

Website: http://www.chem.psu.edu/directory/stp12

Coffee Reception 2:00PM in Klamath 377

Dissertation Defense – Lena Trotochaud – March 17th

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

Photo of Lena Trotochauad
Good luck to Lena Trotochaud as she defends her PhD in Chemistry!

Monday, March 17th
9:00 a.m. ~ 107 Klamath

The title of her thesis is “Structure-Composition-Activity Relationships in Transition-Metal Oxide and Oxyhydroxide Oxygen-Evolution Electrocatalysts”

Remote access for Lena’s defense will also be made available via GoToMeeting – instructions below:

1. Please join the meeting, Mar 17, 2014 at 9:00 AM PST.
https://www4.gotomeeting.com/join/365891999

2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) – a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.

Dial +1 (213) 289-0016
Access Code: 365-891-999
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

Meeting ID: 365-891-999

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