Faculty and Undergraduate Student Research Database

Join a fast-paced, research-active neuroscience lab investigating how the human brain supports communication during language learning. Using cutting-edge EEG hyperscanning, we study brain activity while participants (including kids) have structured conversations. This work bridges neuroscience, linguistics, and clinical research—and produces results that have taken past students to publications, conference presentations, and competitive fellowships. You will be directly involved in human neuroscience data collection, working with children and trained speech-language pathology researchers. You’ll learn: - Good Laboratory Practices for neuroscience research - Ethics and safety in working with human participants - EEG setup, calibratio...

The project explores the cutting edge Agentic AI technology based on Large Language Models (LLMs) to assist scientific discoveries in materials science. Students will learn cutting edge Agentic AI tools and LLMs to apply them for automating and/or assisting materials design and discoveries. It's preferred students have Python programming experience and are willing to learn new skills....

Use electronics circuit simulation software to design a dedicated low noise amplifier for novel detectors of elementary particles. Requires familiarity with relevant hardware (e.g., transimpedance amplifier) and software (e.g., LTspice)...

Elucidation of the structure, function, and mode of action of metallobiomolecules.The elucidation of the structure, function, and mode of action of metallobiomolecules via: 1) spectroscopic, magnetic, kinetic and biochemical studies of the natural systems and 2) the synthesis and characterization of biomimetic inorganic complexes. Our research applies biochemical and synthetic and physical inorganic methods to characterize the function and properties of metallobiomolecules (naturally occurring molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, sugars, etc. that contain tightly bound metal ions). The presence of the metal ions gives these species unique magnetic and spectroscopic properties (such as color) that provide avenues (not available to t...

The Summers research lab is always looking for motivated undergraduate students who are interested in performing research at the interface of engineering, microbiology, and biochemistry. Students will work on one of several projects related to genetic engineering of bacteria and yeast, including: (1) Elucidation of how bacteria recognize and respond to caffeine in their environment (2) Development of tools to engineer bacteria and yeast (3) Engineering bacteria to create high-value chemicals (4) Engineering yeast cells to produce high-value chemicals Students should expect to spend 6-10 hours per week in the lab. A commitment of at least one academic year is requested, but ideally students will continue to perform research in the l...

Advanced computational electronic structure methods will be used to calculate the geometries, vibrational frequencies, energetics, and excited state properties of important compounds of biological interest. Both correlated molecular orbital theory and density functional theory will be used. The focus of the work is on charging of peptides for explaining mass spectrometry results for both cationic and anionic peptides. The cationic work will focus on transition metal ion charging. Both types of studies are relevant to the study of the Human proteome....

We are interested in developing a fundamental and predictive understanding of actinide chemistry in aqueous solution under conditions relevant to nuclear-waste storage and reprocessing of spent fuel to address aggregate and colloid formation. Intractable, small aggregates in nuclear-waste streams can impair clean-up, forcing a low-level waste stream to be treated as high-level waste, thereby increasing treatment costs. Metal oligomers, aggregates, clusters, nanophases and colloids are ubiquitous in aqueous chemistry. Thought to form via the condensation reactions of hydrolyzed metal ions, intrinsic dissolved aggregates or colloids are generally described as poly-dispersed hydroxides or hydrous oxides with varying stoichiometry and no well-d...