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.

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.

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.

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.