Students, Teachers Participate in Chemistry Summer Program at UA

July 23, 2004 - Filed under: Uncategorized

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The 2004 Summer Undergraduate Research Participation (SURP) Program in the chemistry department at The University of Alabama gives students an individual project to work on for 10 weeks with UA faculty, staff and graduate students. The National Science Foundation and the UA chemistry department sponsor this program.

This year’s participants are:

Teachers Felecia Briggins (left) of Newbern, Janis Mabry (center) of Northport, and Tameka Shamery (right) of Tuscaloosa participated in the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for High School Teachers (RET) program at UA. Briggins, a science teacher at Greensboro East High School, is working on a photosystem project; Mabry, a teacher at Tuscaloosa County High School, is working on a magnetic nanoparticles project; and Shamery, a teacher at Hale County High School, is working on a project to design a “green lab” activity that uses non-toxic chemicals.
Teachers Felecia Briggins (left) of Newbern, Janis Mabry (center) of Northport, and Tameka Shamery (right) of Tuscaloosa participated in the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for High School Teachers (RET) program at UA. Briggins, a science teacher at Greensboro East High School, is working on a photosystem project; Mabry, a teacher at Tuscaloosa County High School, is working on a magnetic nanoparticles project; and Shamery, a teacher at Hale County High School, is working on a project to design a “green lab” activity that uses non-toxic chemicals.
Lipscomb University student Meredith Hannah (right) of Nashville, Tenn., is investigating the toxic effects of chromium picolinate commonly found in nutritional supplements. Andrew Bernard (left), a University of Tennessee student from Germantown, Tenn., is researching a microorganism, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, to hopefully modify it to break down Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).
Lipscomb University student Meredith Hannah (right) of Nashville, Tenn., is investigating the toxic effects of chromium picolinate commonly found in nutritional supplements. Andrew Bernard (left), a University of Tennessee student from Germantown, Tenn., is researching a microorganism, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, to hopefully modify it to break down Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).


Washington & Jefferson College student John Rohanna (left) of Waynesburg, Penn., is studying synthesizing diterpines that are endogenous to the species Xenia Umbelleta. The diterpines are considered to be cytotoxic agents and aid in cancer research. Mt. Holyoke College student Kate Vigour (center) of Winona, Miss., is researching and developing new techniques to crystallize ionic liquids. Georgetown College student Patrick Purcell (right) of Louisville, Ky., is researching what happens when a monolayer of Hg atoms are placed on sulfide nanoparticles cadium.
Washington & Jefferson College student John Rohanna (left) of Waynesburg, Penn., is studying synthesizing diterpines that are endogenous to the species Xenia Umbelleta. The diterpines are considered to be cytotoxic agents and aid in cancer research. Mt. Holyoke College student Kate Vigour (center) of Winona, Miss., is researching and developing new techniques to crystallize ionic liquids. Georgetown College student Patrick Purcell (right) of Louisville, Ky., is researching what happens when a monolayer of Hg atoms are placed on sulfide nanoparticles cadium.
University of Montevallo student Nikolaus Cordes (left) of Pell City is investigating use of a phospholipid bilayer to develop nanowires, which could be used for information technology in the future. Lambuth University student Amanda Mueller (right) of Decatur is researching a more efficient reaction to produce Lasonolide A, which is used to help cure leukemia and breast cancer.
University of Montevallo student Nikolaus Cordes (left) of Pell City is investigating use of a phospholipid bilayer to develop nanowires, which could be used for information technology in the future. Lambuth University student Amanda Mueller (right) of Decatur is researching a more efficient reaction to produce Lasonolide A, which is used to help cure leukemia and breast cancer.


University of Alabama student Timothy Kucharski (right) of Aiken, S.C., is examining new intramolecular interactions as ways to selectively control crystal structure formation based on functional groups. Tuskegee University student Sherrita Cooks (center) of Bessemer is researching synthesis of new water soluble ligands for Pd-catalyzed coupling. Chris Redden (left), a Jacksonville State University student from Gadsden is researching new ways of making fuel cells more efficient.
University of Alabama student Timothy Kucharski (right) of Aiken, S.C., is examining new intramolecular interactions as ways to selectively control crystal structure formation based on functional groups. Tuskegee University student Sherrita Cooks (center) of Bessemer is researching synthesis of new water soluble ligands for Pd-catalyzed coupling. Chris Redden (left), a Jacksonville State University student from Gadsden is researching new ways of making fuel cells more efficient.
Georgia Southern University student Kevin Hand (left) of Augusta, Ga., is researching and designing the next generation of data storage devices with memory storage of one Terabyte per square inch. Albany State University student Daniel Grant (right) of Belize is investigating the interaction of a PNA hairpin with DNA.
Georgia Southern University student Kevin Hand (left) of Augusta, Ga., is researching and designing the next generation of data storage devices with memory storage of one Terabyte per square inch. Albany State University student Daniel Grant (right) of Belize is investigating the interaction of a PNA hairpin with DNA.




The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is experiencing significant growth in both enrollment and academic quality. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.

CONTACT: Katie McCrory or Meghan King, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325, lhill@ur.ua.edu
SOURCE: Dr. Lowell Kispert, 205/348-5954, lkispert@bama.ua.edu

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