Project Mentor

Dr. Ping Yan
Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description

Project Description	There is a research opportunity on developing new voltage sensitive dyes, which are used for imaging membrane potentials. The student will have broad hands-on experience on the synthesis of organic compounds, and test the newly developed voltage sensitive dyes using spectroscopic and microscopic methods, on model cell membrane, and even on real cells (in collaboration with Dr. Loew).
Project Direction	The broader direction is to make better voltage sensitive dyes for fluorescence imaging of functions in brains and hearts. This is in collaboration with Dr. Loew and the student may get involved in microscopic imaging.
Mentorship and Supervision	For the first 1-2 weeks, I will train the student on basic safety, synthetic skills, and various instruments such as NMR. Later on, I will monitor progress and provide feedback at least once every other day.
Student Qualifications	The incoming student should have completed at least one semester of organic chemistry and one semester of organic chemistry laboratory. Enthusiasm is the most important thing to bring to the laboratory.
Summer Schedule Options	Research Dates: May 28 to August 2, 2019 Schedule: M-F, 9am-4pm or 9am-5pm
Project Continuation	Fall 2019, Spring 2020
Academic Year Time Commitment	6 hours/week
Possible Thesis Project	Yes

Application

The application deadline was Monday, February 4, 2019.

This application requires a cover letter, a resume or CV, an unofficial transcript, and contact information for references.