Progress in lower bounds to eigenvalues

Professor Marmorino has long been working on ways to calculate lower bounds to atomic and molecular energies which are the eigenvalues in the famous Schrodinger equation.  When these elusive lower bounds are combined with straightforward upper bounds, error bars result which contain the true energies of the chemical system.

Marmorino's most recent work in this area has just been published in the obviously early release of the September issue Journal of Mathematical Chemistry as Eigenvalue lower bounds with Bazley's special choice of an infinite-dimensional subspace. 

Gretchen Anderson becomes department chairperson

Professor Gretchen Anderson is taking the reins as head of the department as Bill Feighery steps down after eight years.  She is the department's only biochemist and was instrumental in introducing the biochemistry major which typically graduates as many majors each year as the chemistry major (sometimes more!).

Anderson routinely has students researching in her laboratory, has won many teaching awards (from this campus and from the entire IU system), and plays an active role in faculty governance.  To see just how impressive Anderson is, click here for an explanation of why she received the 2005 Herman Lieber Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence, or click here to read a profile about her posted on the IU South Bend website.  The entire department welcomes her as chairperson and can expect much under her leadership.

SMART Students!

Congratulations to biochemistry major Ashley Compton (pictured) and chemistry student Morgan Holbrook.  Both were awarded summer SMART grants from the university - that's Student Mentor Academic Research Team.   While SMART grants recipients are not uncommon in our department, two in one summer is something else!

Ashley is working with biochemist Gretchen Anderson on a project titled Isolation of Arsenite Oxidase Enzyme: Furthering Research in Decontamination Methods for Arsenic.  Just down the hall, Morgan is researching in the laboratory of organic chemist Doug McMillen on a project called Utilizing Green Chemistry Techniques for NIS Allylic Oxidation of Alcohols.

Summer Research Begins

Summer vacation may give our students a break from the classroom, but several of them are continuing their studies in the lab.   While research is not required for either the biochemistry or chemistry degree, more than half of our graduates have had at least one semester of research experience.

Two undergraduate students are performing electrochemistry with the department's newest faculty member, Professor Grace Muna.  Under her guidance they are  modifying the surface of electrodes to enhance selectivity and sensitivity for the detection of priority environmental pollutants and important biological metabolites.  Other students (including a Mathematics major) are calculating bounds to observables of quantum systems with Professor Marmorino, cloning arsenite oxidase and a specific cytochrome c under the direction of Professor Anderson, and synthesizing iodinated hydrocarbons with Professor McMillen ultimately to be used in investigations for WIMPS (weakly interacting massive particles).  With all these hardworking students, you can be sure you won't find any wimps in our department.

Awards and Graduates

Once again we have had an excellent group of students, from freshman to graduates.  The latter presented a host of impressive seminars in their capstone course.  Including our December graduates, the department awarded 6 Chemistry degrees, 5 Biochemistry degrees, and 14 Chemistry minors.  

Several of our graduates are continuing their studies at graduate schools such as the University of Notre Dame, Michigan State University, and the University of Arizona.  We would like to recognize several outstanding performances:

Chemical Rubber Company Chemistry Achievement Award
   Maribel Navarrete

George V. Nazaroff Scholarship
   Adam Grandison 

Joseph H. Ross Seminar Award

   Calvin Streeter

Student Excellence Award in Chemistry
   Kasey Clear
   Brittany Kubal

Student Excellence Award in Biochemistry

   Celeste Warrell
Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry
   Kasey Clear     

New instruments for the lab

Internal grants obtained by Professors Bill Feighery and Gretchen Anderson were used in part to purchase a new liquid chromatography system (right).  Agilent Technologies installed the 1220 Infinity LC system today.  This instrument will be used for student laboratories and research. 

This semester also marked the introduction of Raman spectroscopy to the student labs.  Both Professors Grace Muna and Matt Marmorino prepared experiments for students of Instrumental Analysis (CHEM C410) and Physical Chemistry (CHEM C362) using the Advantage 200A system (left) from DeltaNu.  Raman spectroscopy uses scattering to complement information obtained from IR absorption spectroscopy.

Chemistry Olympiad

Today IU South Bend once again hosts the Chemistry Olympiad, allowing students from local high schools to compete in this event sponsored by the American Chemical Society.  Winners may continue on to the US National Chemistry Olympiad and perhaps even to the International Chemistry Olympiad (and win a medal like the one pictured).