Faculty Research Topics

 

The research projects in Dr. Heagy’s lab involve synthetic organic chemistry as a fundamental technique for new dye synthesis. Theory and photophysics play an important role in this research as the group employs various spectroscopies, i.e. UV-Vis, fluorescence as well as quantum computational studies for the rational design of functional dyes.  

The applications of this research lead to fluorescent biomarkers, white-organic light emitting devices as well as dye-doped nanocomposites for solar energy conversion.

Dr. Altig's work involves the development of curricula for the chemistry laboratory and computational chemical modeling. In the former case, construction of laboratory curricula that are modern, novel and cross-divisional is the goal.

In the second case, construction of computational models involving quantum chemical and biophysical calculations using commercial software such as Gaussian or Autodock, as well as software developed in-house, is the goal.

Preserving the structural and functional integrity of genetic information is critical for all organisms. DNA is susceptible to various kinds of damage from exposure to endogenous (e.g., reactive oxygen species) and exogenous factors (e.g., radiation). All the organisms have evolved intricate mechanisms involving numerous DNA repair proteins to detect and repair multitude of DNA lesions. Mutations in genes encoding DNA repair proteins lead to genomic instability that is a hallmark of several debilitating diseases including cancer. Complex processes of DNA repair are regulated by interplay of protein-protein/DNA-protein interactions and are required for preserving genomic integrity and avoiding carcinogenesis. Identifying, characterizing and understanding biological significance of such interactions are essential steps for developing potential anti-cancer therapy.

The research team is broadly interested in understanding the mammalian DNA damage and repair response with emphasis on delineating the molecular functions of novel DNA repair proteins, and seek translational research avenues to utilize these findings. The team is also interested in developing anti-cancer drugs that create DNA damage and trigger cell death exclusively in cancer cells. Interdisciplinary approaches including protein biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, cancer biology, genomics, and proteomics are routinely employed to drive current research projects.

Dr. Piyasena leads a multidisciplinary research group focused on developing novel bioanalytical and biomedical techniques important for disease diagnosis, pathogen detection, and analysis of bio-molecular interaction. His group is also interested in new instrument development using microfluidic and acoustic techniques.

Dr. Piyasena’s group has active collaborations with the Center for Biomedical Engineering at the University of New Mexico, and a startup company to build inexpensive microfluidic systems for BioMEMS applications. His research team is also working on promoting science and technology among local middle and high school students.

Dr. Pias' research group uses high-performance computing to investigate mechanisms of biomolecular function through simulations of structural dynamics (with AMBER software, primarily). Current projects are biomedically related, focusing on the significance of lipids as modulators of cellular-level oxygen diffusion and, therefore, of aerobic metabolism. Her group is specifically interested in clarifying the role of high membrane cholesterol in cancer pathology as well as explaining the well-known connection between insulin resistance and saturated fat accumulation in skeletal muscle. 

Dr. Rubasinghege’s research revolves around nanomaterial, polymer composite and environmental chemistry, studying hidden reaction pathways and mechanisms in environmental processes to better understand the impact of mineral oxides and engineered nanoparticles on poorly understood environmental process. One of his projects focuses on (i) how and why different metal oxides and engineered nanoparticles behave differently during their environmental processing under various environmentally relevant conditions and (ii) the potential impacts of these processes on aquatic life and human health. These interdisciplinary studies specifically focus on effects of particle size (nano vs. micro), ionic strength, organic and inorganic pollutants and solar radiation on chemical reactivity and environmental processing of metal oxides in mineral dust as a source of trace metals to aquatic life, and their follow up aqueous phase behaviors.

In another research project Dr. Rubasinghege will combine molecular level insight from above aqueous phased studies to develop inorganic polymer and carbon nanotube based catalytic systems to address various environmental issues in open water bodies, including increasing amounts of wastewater pollutants. His research involves cutting-edged-technologies in spectroscopy (FTIR, XPS, ICP & AAS, UV-VIS, DLS), microscopy (SEM, TEM) and chromatography (GC-MS, HPLC).

On going Projects:

1. Chemistry and Photochemistry of Mineral Oxides and Engineered Nanoparticles in Atmospheric Aerosol.

2. Linking Biological Activity of Ocean Diatoms to Atmospheric Processing of Fe-containing Minerals.

3. Implications of “Mineral Aging” in the Presence of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products.

4. Development of Nanoparticle based Catalytic Systems / Polymer Composites for Wastewater