Project Mentor

Dr. Ping Yan
Department of 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	Student should have taken organic chemistry and organic chemistry laboratory courses. Enthusiasm is the most important thing to bring to the laboratory.
Summer Schedule Options	Research Dates: May 24 to July 30, 2021* Schedule: M-F, 9am-5pm *This opportunity cannot be pursued virtually and may be cancelled if there are pandemic-related restrictions on research for summer 2021.
Project Continuation	Fall 2021, Spring 2022
Academic Year Time Commitment	6-9 hours/week
Possible Thesis Project	Yes

Application

Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRP21-32. The application deadline is Monday, February 1, 2021.

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