TUSCALOOSA, Ala -- The department of chemistry at The University of Alabama recently hosted the Research Experience for Undergraduates program, funded by the National Science Foundation, under the direction of Dr. John Vincent, UA professor of chemistry, and Dr. Stephen Woski, UA associate professor of chemistry.

Visiting undergraduate students with strong backgrounds in chemistry came to the UA campus for 10 weeks this summer to work with faculty in their research group and to take part in informal seminars and educational activities.

The 2006 participants included:

Kimberly Smith, a University of North Alabama student from Muscle Shoals, worked with Dr. Shane Street, UA associate professor of chemistry, to examine methods of binding metal ions to a class of chemical compounds called dendrimers. This research is attempting to use these metal-dendrimer complexes to make nanoparticles used in magnetic recording and other industrial process.

Bryan Wiggins, an Alabama A&M student from Decatur, worked with Dr. Greg Szulczewski, UA associate professor of chemistry, to combine techniques of scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy to study the chemistry of organic molecules on surfaces.

Allison Arrendale, a Berry College student from Acworth, Ga., worked with Dr. Carolyn Cassady, UA associate professor of chemistry, to use mass spectrometry to examine how metal ions, specifically chromium ions, can attach to proteins. Understanding how chromium ions attach to proteins could have major implications on how diabetes is treated.

Ashley Hunter, a Shelton State Community College student from Northport, worked with Dr. Anthony Arduengo, UA Saxon Professor of Chemistry, to develop a new method of hydrogen storage. They were trying to create a material that can store and release hydrogen easily. The purpose of this material would be for use in fuel cells and other energy storing components to help the developing 'hydrogen economy.'

Joanna Smith, a UA student from Birmingham (zip code 35223), worked with Dr. Kevin Shaughnessy, UA assistant professor of chemistry, to study the properties of catalysts used in manufacturing pharmaceutical drugs. Their goal was to make pharmaceutical drug creation more environmentally friendly.

Michelle Harris, an Alabama A&M student from Eutaw, worked with Dr. Kevin Redding, UA associate professor of chemistry, to try using the photosynthetic apparatus of plants and algae to destroy long-lived environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).