Research in Chemistry
One of the greatest opportunities St. Lawrence offers its undergraduates is the chance to do original research in faculty laboratories. Participating in research allows a student to experience the joy of discovery firsthand, an opportunity to see the scientific process in action, and the chance to become better acquainted with a faculty member whom can serve as a mentor to the student.
Faculty members at St. Lawrence are actively engaged in research and enjoy mentoring undergraduates. A number of opportunities exist for students to participate in independent study with a faculty member at St. Lawrence. Here are some of the highlights of our undergraduate research programs.
Other Biochemistry and Chemistry Research Opportunities
Opportunities also exist for undergraduate students to participate in research projects & summer internships at other locations during the summer. Summer Research Opportunities contains a list of available opportunities - the list is continuously updated during late fall and winter
Also, you may want to check out this NSF guide for undergraduate researchers.
Summer Research
Summer 2025:
Emma Audi '26 | Advisor: Dr. J. Patrick Lutz
Synthesis of Guaiazulene-3-Carboxylic Acid and Oxalic Acid Derivatives.
Kaitlyn Barton '26 | Advisor: Dr. Samuel Tartakoff
Wittig and Wagner-Jauregg Reactions in the Production of Morphine Analogs.
Odessa Files '27 | Advisor: Dr. Matthew Skeels
Optimizing VOC Sampling Techniques for Improved Air Quality.
Kaitlin Hopper '26 | Advisor: Dr. J. Patrick Lutz
Design of Crosslinkable Poly(phthalaldehyde) Derivatives.
Alice Khalil '27 | Advisor: Dr. Samantha Glazier
Synthesis and Characterization of Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Sensitive Detection of Cardiac Troponin Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers.
Kathryn Pogue '26 | Advisor: Dr. Samuel Tartakoff
The Synthesis of Novel Acylated Proflavine Derivatives.
Chase Smith '27 | Advisor: Dr. Samuel Tartakoff
Exploring the Impacts of Functional Groups on Styrenes in the Wagner-Jauregg Reaction.
Carly Zack '27 | Advisor: Dr. J. Patrick Lutz
Synthesis of Guaiazulene-3-Carboxylic Acid and Oxalic Acid Derivatives.
Summer 2024:
Istvan Balogh '25 | Advisor: Dr. Amanda Oldacre
Microplastics in our environment: Concentration determination and characterization of microplastics in St. Lawrence River, native clam tissues and fecal matter.
Julia Hahne '26 | Advisor: Dr. Amanda Oldacre
Study of the sequestration and degradation of azo dye using MOF-545.
Kathryn Pogue '26 | Advisor: Dr. Samuel Tartakoff
The Synthesis of Novel Acylated Proflavine Derivatives.
Liyou Sisay '26 | Advisor: Dr. Amanda Oldacre
Azo-Dye Sequestration and Degradation Using Metal-Organic Frameworks.
Jason Stasio '25 | Advisor: Dr. Samuel Tartakoff
Investigating Solvent Effects and a Potential Application of the Wagner-Jauregg Reaction.
Summer 2023:
Leah Biwot ’24 | Advisor: Dr. Samuel Tartakoff
Synthesis of Threading Intercalators to Target DNA in Cancer Cells.
Corryn Canell ’25 | Advisor: Dr. Amanda Oldacre
Investigation of Azo Dye Degradation Using Porphyrins as Electrocatalysts.
Kanonkela Chibwe ’25 | Advisor: Dr. Amanda Oldacre
Optimizing thin film Metal-Organic frameworks to sequester and degrade azo dyes.
Emily Felton ’25 | Advisor: Dr. Amanda Oldacre
Sequestration of Azo Dyes using MOF 525.
William (Blake) Heston ’24 | Advisor: Dr. J. Patrick Lutz
Synthesis and Analysis of new Sustainable Glyoxylate Imine Polymers.
Grace Hodges ’24 | Advisor: Dr. J. Patrick Lutz
Poly(glyoxylate imines): Designing a New Class of Degradable Polymer.
Al Logan ’25 | Advisor: Dr. Amanda Oldacre
Estimating the concentration and characterizing microplastics in freshwater clams’ tissue in St. Lawrence rivers.
Nadine Manase '25 | Advisor: Dr. J. Patrick Lutz
Poly(glyoxylates) and Poly(glyoxylate imines) as Self-Immolative Polymers for Plastic Synthesis
Summer 2022:
Melinda Barath '24 | Advisor: Dr. Samuel Tartakoff
Isolation and quantification of astaxanthin pigments in Adirondack zooplankton.
Leah Biwot '24 | Advisor: Dr. Samuel Tartakoff
Design and synthesis of novel acridine-based DNA interchalators inspired by proflavine.
Leana Dickhens '24 | Advisor: Dr. Samuel Tartakoff
Exploration of oxygen-rich dienes in the Wagner-Jauregg reaction: studies towards morphine analogues.
Chidera Nwenyi ’24 | Advisor: Dr. Amanda Oldacre
Sequestration of Azo Dyes using MOF 545.
Emma Rothe '24 | Advisor: Dr. Samuel Tartakoff
Investigation of the Wagner-Jauregg: improving reaction conditions and expanding dienophile scope.
Madison Ruggiera '24 | Advisor: Dr. Samuel Tartakoff
Design and synthesis of novel, water-soluble DNA interchalators.
Martina Velasquez ’24 | Advisor: Dr. Amanda Oldacre
Estimating Microplastic Concentration in the Grasse River.
Summer 2021:
No summer research due to COVID-related changes in the academic calendar.
Summer 2020:
Aseman Bagheri Sheshdeh '22 | Advisor: Dr. Samantha Glazier
Reviewed research on several aspects of the COVID pandemic including public health policies and different approaches to vaccine development.
Stephanie Merwin '22 | Advisor: Dr. Amanda Oldacre
Wrote sections of a grant proposal for the National Science Foundation. The project proposed biologically-inspired catalysts to degrade microplastic pollutants.
Leo Romanetz '22 | Advisor: Dr. Samantha Glazier
Developed experimental and data analysis methods to study the kinetics of DNA binding by antibacterial drugs.
Rachel Siegel '22 | Advisor: Dr. Samantha Glazier
Investigated the development of sensors to detect TNT.
Chyanne Turner '22 | Advisor: Dr. Amanda Oldacre
Wrote sections of a grant proposal for the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund. The project proposed the use of modified petroleum coke as an electrode/electrocatalyst for nitrogen fixation.
Shiqi Xie '22 | Advisor: Dr. Amanda Oldacre
Wrote sections of a review paper for electrochemical proton-coupled electron transfer. Recent advances in the field of electrochemical PCET warrants a new review.
Beinan Yang '22 | Advisor: Dr. Samuel Tartakoff
Designing and proposing a total synthesis of naturally occurring organic molecules, which had recently been isolated from a Middle-Eastern herb.