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	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 23 to July 29, 2022 Schedule: M-F, 9am-5pm
Project Continuation	Fall 2022, Spring 2023
Academic Year Time Commitment	6-9 hours/week
Possible Thesis Project	No

Application

Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRP22-35. The application deadline is Monday, January 31, 2022.

This application requires a cover letter and an unofficial transcript. Reference information should be provided in the application.