Research is one of the most rewarding parts of the undergraduate experience. Our students
work with advanced instrumentation and techniques that go beyond standard laboratory
courses, bringing concepts from lectures to life through real-world applications.
For those considering graduate studies, research offers the chance to collaborate
with graduate students, postdoctoral associates and world-class faculty while gaining firsthand experience with graduate-level work.
Many of our undergraduates coauthor peer-reviewed publications and present their findings at local, national
and international conferences.
“Managing my own research and mentoring younger students has shaped me as a scientist
and a leader. Duquesne gave me the opportunities to grow—and now I get to inspire
the next generation of researchers.”
“The class size creates an intimate learning environment where, if you do struggle,
the professors are there for you. That’s the differentiator between Duquesne and a
large school—it’s very much a one-on-one learning experience.”
These are just some of the research opportunities available to you.
Molecule Synthesis Breakthroughs
Alex Cocolas, Aiden Lane, Ben Musiak, Eric Chartier, Derek Bedillion, and Sarah Hejnosz
have developed an innovative technique for the precise and efficient synthesis of
complex molecules. Their research details a novel method for producing 43 distinct
variants of 7-azanorbornanes. This approach utilizes specialized chemical compounds
known as tertiary amine N-oxides and involves the substitution of alkenes, which are
hydrocarbons with double bonds.
Samuel Lenze and Justin Terhorst's publication,"Creation of Gas-Phase Organo-Uranium
Species by Removal of 'yl' Oxo Ligands from UO₂²⁺ Carboxylate Precursor Ions" focuses
on uranium chemistry, how uranium ions can be manipulated and studied in controlled
environments. By breaking down these ions, they're discovering new insights into uranium's
reactions and properties, contributing to advancements in nuclear science.
Rathna Veeramachaneni, Chelsee Donelan, and Kayce Tomcho developed a method to map
structural linkages in the human α1 glycine receptor (α1 GlyR), a protein essential
for nerve cell communication. Using a reactive site, chemical linkers, and UV light,
their work provides new insights into the protein's structure within cell membranes.
Caleb Frye and Caylee Cunningham's publication, "Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2
Genome 3′-Untranslated Region Interactions with Host MicroRNAs" explores how the COVID-19
virus may manipulate our cellular mechanisms to better understand how it causes illness
and how we can develop new treatments to combat it.
Our labs provide hands-on experience in experimental design, data analysis and advanced
biotechnological methodologies, with research spanning molecular biology, immunology
and drug development.
Research facilities include 400 MHz and 500 MHz NMR spectrometers, single-crystal
and powder X-ray diffractometers, scanning electron microscope Q-TOF, QQQ, TOF, and
ion-trap mass spectrometers and six computer clusters (totaling 748 CPUs, 23 GPUs,
and 34.1 TB of disk storage).
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (URP) is a 10-week summer experience where
you'll participate in community engagement projects and ethics education, present
your research findings at an on-campus symposium and connect with faculty, industry
professionals and fellow researchers.
Research strengths in the department include several centers that provide collaborative
opportunities between scientists across Duquesne’s campus with scholars from local
and national universities.
Agilent Center of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry
Center for Computational Sciences
We are grateful to the numerous Federal agencies, corporations, private foundations,
scientific societies, and individuals who have invested in our research and teaching
efforts in recent years. They include:
National Science Foundation
National Institutes of Health
Department of Energy
Department of Defense
Environmental Protection Agency
H.J. Heinz Endowment
R.K. Mellon Foundation
Bayer Foundation
Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh
Society of Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Local Section of the American Chemical Society
