Student Research
Our department boasts an active and vibrant undergraduate research program. In addition to receiving course credit for participating in independent research, our students gain invaluable experience in planning and implementing experiments, analyzing data, troubleshooting, and presenting their accomplishments in both informal and professional settings.
Involvement with research projects are not only directly applicable to successful careers in chemical research, but also in post-graduate work and other employment opportunities where critical thinking, analytical skills, and the application of theory to practice are valued.
Present your Original Research
Share your hypotheses, results, and scientific conclusions at USF's Creative Activity and Research Day (CARD). Publish your experimental results in peer-reviewed journals.
Analyze the Biochemical Mechanisms that Lead to Human Diseases
As part of the Yang Group, John Guardado studies membrane proteins that are crucial for cell survival. Malfunction of these proteins have been linked to several conditions in humans, including cystic fibrosis, liver disease, and diabetes.
Research Alternatives to Antibiotics
In the Stevenson lab, Maria Aviles-Sandoval investigates the interaction between antimicrobial peptides and metal ions as an attractive alternative to traditional antibiotics. She presented her research at the American Chemical Society National Conference in August.
Explore Quantum Tunneling
Ishika Jain, a student in Dr. Karney’s and Dr. Castro’s research group, uses computational studies to understand biochemical reaction pathways and biomimetic syntheses. She recently presented her work at the Bay Area Chemistry Symposium.
Improve Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
As part of the Evbuomwan research group, Holly Clancy and Megan Martin are developing an improved MRI contrast agent to non-invasively detect prostate cancer in humans.
Present Your Research at Regional and National Conferences
In addition to the rigorous coursework in chemistry at USF, research plays a major role in students’ training and development. Our undergraduate and masters’ students work alongside faculty mentors on projects, publish papers, and present their work at local, regional, and national conferences. Here are some of the recent presentations by USF students at scientific meetings.
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From Prof Osasere Evbuomwan’s Group
Holly Clancy ‘21 and Megan Martin ‘21
- 31st Annual ACS Northern California Undergrad Research Symposium, Santa Clara University, May 2019
- Poster: Synthesis of a Zn(II)-Responsive ParaCEST MRI Agent for Improved Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
Brooke Aloe ‘21
- 31st Annual ACS Northern California Undergrad Research Symposium, Santa Clara University, May 2019
- Poster: Impact of Quinoline Amide Substituents on the Luminescence and PARACEST MRI properties of Bimodal Europium (III) Complexes
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From Prof. William Karney and Prof. Claire Castro’s Group
Ishika Jain ‘24
- American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Francisco, August 2023
- Poster: Elucidating Factors of Tunneling Contributions in Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions of Bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-diene Motifs in Biosynthesis
Elli Carson ‘23
- American Chemical Society National Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, March 2023
- Poster: Heavy-Atom Tunneling in the Biosynthesis of Occidentalol
Joscelyn Huynh ‘23
- American Chemical Society National Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, March 2023
- Poster: Computational Study of Heavy-Atom Tunneling in the Benzene-Oxide/Oxepin Equilibrium
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From Prof. Herman Nikolayevskiy’s Group
Justin Samford ‘24
- American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, August 2023
- Poster: Decarboxylative cross-coupling of Kojic acid
Kathleen McIntyre ‘24 and Haley Roach ‘25
- American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, August 2023
- Poster: Synthesis of a model off-switchable DNA intercalator
Karina Bhavsar ‘25
- American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, August 2023
- Poster: Cleave the Way: Self-Immolative DNA Alkylators and their Selective Action
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From Prof. Michael Stevenson’s Group
Maria Aviles-Sandoval ‘24
- American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, August 2023
- Poster: Quantifying Metal Interactions with Antimicrobial Peptide Calcitermin
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From Prof. Janet Yang’s Group
John Guardado ‘23
- American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, August 2023
- Poster: Substrate Specificity in ABC Transporters Using the E. coli Methionine Import System
Kiana Keyhani ’26
In Dr. Bhattacharyya's lab we're investigating the effects of wildfires on soil properties in California, and have measured an increase in the pH of soils due to the creation of oxides that form after wildfires.”
Kiana Keyhani ’26
Receive a Summer Research Fellowship
- The Whitehead Summer Research Fellowship program supports USF student research in chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. Awardees receive $10,000 towards a summer stipend, reagents, and conference travel.
- Chemistry Department Summer Research Fellowships support students conducting research in USF chemistry department research groups. Awardees receive a $2,000 summer stipend.