Chemistry and Biochemistry Research Opportunities

Research is the cornerstone of our chemistry and biochemistry undergraduate programs at Central Michigan University. For over 50 years, every chemistry and biochemistry major has completed a faculty-mentored, thesis-based capstone research experience. We also offer a chemistry MS graduate program, and collaborate with other departments in offering interdisciplinary PhD programs, including the PhD in Science of Advanced Materials and the MS or PhD in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology.

As a Chemistry graduate and undergraduate student, you'll conduct cutting-edge research, present your findings at scientific conferences, and publish papers in high-impact journals. You will also work along side nationally and internationally recognized faculty members on a variety of research projects, many of which are supported by external grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Our faculty members have also received national and regional recognition for their outstanding contributions to their research fields. Drs. Gabriel Caruntu and Benjamin Swarts have each received the prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award. Dr. Ben Swarts was also honored with the Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award. Dr. Brad Fahlman recently received the Outstanding Achievement and Promotion of the Chemical Sciences Award from the Midland Section of American Chemical Society.

Below, explore the different research topics below that are currently being pursued by our faculty members and students. If you are an undergraduate or graduate student interested in learning more about getting involved in a faculty member's research, please feel free to contact them directly.

• Analytical Chemistry | Determine the chemical identity and quantity of unknown materials
• Biochemistry & Chemical Biology | Understand and manipulate the chemistry of biological systems
• Inorganic Chemistry  | Examine the properties, behavior, and creation of metals, minerals, and organometallic compounds
  
• Materials & Nanoscience | Produce and study polymers and nanoscale architectures with specific chemical, biological, and physical properties
• Organic Chemistry | Study the structure, reactivity, and synthesis of natural and man-made carbon-containing compounds
• Physical Chemistry | Investigate how matter behaves on a molecular and atomic level and how chemical reactions occur