Wei Chen’s group works on research projects in the areas of materials engineering and surface chemistry. We use multidisciplinary tools from physical, analytical, and organic chemistry to address relevant issues, such as wetting, adhesion and biocompatibility.
Interested in learning more or joining the lab?
We welcome committed and capable (bio)chemistry majors in their sophomore years to join the research team.
Interested first and second year students are encouraged to visit the research group webpage https://sites.google.com/mtholyoke.edu/weichen/ and to email Professor Chen (weichen@mtholyoke.edu).
Katie Berry’s research group asks questions at the interface of biochemistry and bacterial molecular genetics. We study the molecular mechanisms of bacterial regulatory RNAs and their protein chaperones. With a newly developed genetic assay to detect protein-RNA interactions inside of living bacterial cells, we can study the effects of point mutations on RNA-protein interactions and conduct unbiased screens to find mutations that alter RNA-protein binding, or even to identify novel RNA chaperone proteins!
Interested in learning more or joining the lab?
Visit tinyurl.com/berrylab to read more about our work.
You can fill out the google form there to share your interest in research and follow up by email (kberry@mtholyoke.edu) for a time to meet.
Students often join the lab in their sophomore year (typically as they take Bio 230) and spend at least one summer at MHC in the lab. It’s never too early to be in touch about your interest!
Katie McMenimen’s research group is interested in questions broadly related to protein-protein interactions. We use many tools from biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, and materials chemistry to probe fundamental questions about the structure and function of proteins, focusing on proteins involved in aggregation diseases. Students in our research group have backgrounds in chemistry, biochemistry, and neuroscience.
Interested in learning more or joining the lab?
We welcome interested students to contact Katie via email (kamcmeni@mtholyoke.edu) to get more information about the group
Students often join during their sophomore year and plan to stay for at least one summer during their time at MHC
Get in touch sooner rather than later! We welcome all experience levels and interests!
Alan van Giessen’s research group focuses on using molecular simulation to determine the factors that affect the stability of proteins in the dense cellular environment. We have two main directions to our work. Firstly, we are interested in how protein-protein interactions, both through direct intermolecular interactions and through excluded volume effects, affect the thermal and thermodynamic stability of a given protein. Secondly, we are concerned with the phenomenon of cold denaturation, when a protein spontaneously denatures at cold temperatures, and how the crowded cellular environment prevents this from happening in living organisms.
Interested in learning more or joining the lab?
Contact Alan at vangiess@mtholyoke.edu
Students only need Chem 201 as a requirement for joining the lab.
Coding skills are a plus, but not mandatory.
Kyle Broaders’ research group is focused on the design and synthesis of responsive polymeric biomaterials. He and his group use techniques from organic, polymer, and materials chemistry to make biologically derived materials that respond to or influence the behavior of biological entities. Applications of our work include immunotherapy, drug delivery, biosensors, and bioplastics.
Interested in learning more or joining the lab?
Visit https://broaders.science/ to read more about our work
Contact Kyle by email (broaders@mtholyoke.edu) to learn more.
Students at all levels are invited to apply, but experience with organic chemistry is preferred.
Rachel Hems’ research group focuses on the chemical reactions and fate of molecules in the atmosphere, both in indoor and outdoor environments. This research is motivated by the need to understand the impact of atmospheric chemistry on air quality and the climate. We develop and apply analytical techniques, such as chromatography and mass spectrometry, to identify and monitor atmospherically relevant chemical reactions.
Interested in learning more or joining the lab?
Interested students should contact Rachel via email (rhems@mtholyoke.edu) to get more information about the group and potential research projects. You're also encouraged to visit https://sites.google.com/view/hems-lab/ to read more about their work.
It is recommended that students have completed analytical chemistry (CHEM-223) prior to joining the lab.