Department of Chemistry
Loyola University New Orleans
Undergraduate research plays a vital role in the chemistry curriculum at Loyola University. All majors are encouraged to join a research group early in their academic studies. It is in the laboratory where students have the opportunity to apply ideas learned in the classroom to real-world research problems for which there are no solutions in the back of a book. Students receive academic credit for participation in a research project during the academic year or over the summer. During the summer, students may receive stipends to continue their studies at Loyola . We encouraged chemistry majors to contact faculty members to discuss research opportunities in their laboratories
Kurt Birdwhistell, Ph.D., (504)865-3272, birdwhis@loyno.edu
Dr. Birdwhistell's group applies the principles of "Green Chemistry" to design new environmentally benign synthetic pathways to inorganic and organic molecules. Green chemistry involves the application of a set of principles to reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous materials in the synthesis of chemical products.
His group's current projects in "Green Chemistry" involve the application of four synthetic strategies: (1) Reducing the energy requirements of reactions by applying Microwave Assisted Synthesis (MAS); (2) Eliminating organic solvents in synthetic reactions by using an environmentally benign solvent such as water or no solvent; (3) Replacing hazardous mineral acids such as sulfuric or phosphoric acid with safer solid acid alternatives; and (4) Designing new water-soluble catalysts for the replacement of catalysts normally used in organic solvents; thus reducing the need for organic solvents in various catalytic processes. Check out Dr. Birdwhistell's website for more information.
Lynn Vogel Koplitz, Ph.D., (504)865-3274, koplitz@loyno.edu
Dr. Koplitz's group does research in a number of areas of physical chemistry, especially spectroscopy, with applications to materials science, environmental studies, geochemistry, and photochemistry. Other interests include hydrogen bonding in cyanomethylpyridinium salts; computational chemistry; copper/zinc oxide surface science; sediments and aqueous solutions of environmental and geochemical interest. More information is available at Dr. Koplitz's website.
Thomas Spence, Ph.D., (504)865-2266, tgspence@loyno.edu
Dr. Spence is a physical chemisty with extensive experience in design and construction of spectroscopic instrumentation. Research interests include laser-based trace-gas detection using cavity ring-down spectroscopy. His research group is currently developing a system to determine isotopic abundances using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Check out Dr. Spence's website for more information.
Joelle S. Underwood, Ph.D., (504)865-3275, jsunderw@loyno.edu
Dr. Underwood is an atmospheric physical and analytical chemist with research interests in two main areas: water uptake processes and chemical reactions of atmospherically relevant aerosol, and development of analytical techniques for studying the physical and chemical properties of atmospheric aerosol. Visit her Research Group Website for more information.
William Walkenhorst, Ph.D., (504)865-3270, walken@loyno.edu
Dr. Walkenhorst is a physical biochemist with research interests in the areas of molecular recognition, ligand binding, and protein folding and design. His research group frequently studies the secondary structure of large biomolecules using circular dichroisum spectroscopy. Check out Dr. Walkenhorst's website for more information.
