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Welch-sponsored Research

The Welch Foundation, based in Houston, Texas, is one of the United States’ largest private funding sources for basic chemical research. Since its founding in 1954, the organization has contributed to the advancement of chemistry through research grants, departmental programs, endowed chairs and other special projects at educational institutions in Texas.

The Robert A. Welch Foundation Departmental Grant supports chemical research by faculty members of Angelo State University’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and provides an opportunity for students to critically investigate chemical systems using state-of-the-art equipment. The program provides students with the tools they need to gain and develop an interest in pursuing a career in chemistry. This funding supports students with scholarships, lab equipment, and chemicals as well as travel to professional meetings and conferences.

Student Research Courses (CHEM 4191, 4291, 4391)

The department makes available various opportunities for students to participate in research, or independent study projects. These are usually most appropriate for junior- or senior-level students, although advanced and proactive underclassmen are encouraged to participate.

The simplest and most common way to start such a project is by contacting a faculty member to see whether he/she is able to supervise a CHEM 4191 (required for all Chemistry & Biochemistry majors), 4291 or 4391 (research) course.

The course may entail a specific research project or may be conducted as either an independent study project or a traditional course, but only on a topic that is not covered in the standard curriculum.

These are some of our faculty members who are interested in offering a research course, along with some of the topics that have been pursued in the past or may be considered in the future:

Dr. Kyle A. Beran: Application of molecular modeling methodology to novel chemical systems, such as fullerene derivatives.

Dr. David Carter: Analytical chemistry, trace environmental analysis and speciation of environmentally important elements.

Dr. Janet Maxwell: Organic synthesis, enolate chemistry and spectroscopic analysis of organic compounds.

Dr. Edith Osborne: Focus is on solving biochemical problems, including incorporation of nonstandard amino acids into proteins and using phage display to explore interactions between proteins.

Dr. Saravanan Ramasamy: Synthesis of organic macro molecules, gold nanoparticles and functional materials for surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based fluorescence sensors.

Dr. Gregory Smith: Investigation and development of nanostructured surfaces and interfaces with applications such as energy harvesting and storage.

Dr. Ralph Zehnder: Synthesis and design of lanthanide and actinide compounds that have relevance in nuclear fuel reprocessing as well as in nuclear waste disposal. Design of lanthanide and actinide metal organic frameworks (MOFs).

More Opportunities for Research

Check out these Career and Internship Opportunities to learn about other programs available to ASU students.

Student Resources

Choose from a list of helpful links for students.