Project Mentor
Dr. Alix Deymier
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description
| Project Description | This summer project focuses on understanding the role of hydrogen phosphate and carbonate in bone-like mineral and how it can be used as a buffer for the acid in degradable polymers. That's a mouthful! Essentially you will be making mineral nanocrystals with a varying compositions and then measuring their composition, enthalpy of dissolution, and pKa. In the day to day you will be doing hands on chemistry, using a calorimeter, and possibly X-ray techniques like XRD and XRF depending on timing. |
| Project Direction | Many modern scaffolds for tissue regeneration are made of degradable polymers. However, when these polymers degrade they release a large amount of acid which can actually damage the surrounding tissue. Bone mineral has a complex composition and structure that allows it to release buffering ions when it is exposed to acid returning the tissue to pH homeostasis. We are trying to determine which parts of bone mineral are most critical for buffering so that we can use it to minimize acid release from degradable scaffolds. This work will continue beyond the summer to explore buffering capacity and structural parameters. |
| Mentorship and Supervision | The student will be directly mentored by Dr. Alix Deymier. Other qualified students and trainees will also be available for questions. Early in the summer, the student will be trained by in all of the necessary techniques until they are able to use the equipment independently. After that the student will be able to run experiments on their own. Official 1-on-1 meetings will occur weekly but students are welcome to stop by the office anytime. Ongoing work will also be presented every other week at lab meeting with the other lab trainees. The student will be expected to maintain a lab notebook. |
| Student Qualifications | The primary qualification is that the student be passionate about the work. If you are doing this to check the research box on your application then this is the wrong lab. If you are passionate about materials, chemistry, biology or just curious about how things work, please apply. A basic understanding of chemistry is useful. |
| Summer Schedule Options | Monday-Friday 9-5 pm |
| Project Continuation | Fall 2026, Spring 2027 |
| Academic Year Time Commitment | 6, 9hours/week |
| Possible Thesis Project | Yes |
Application
Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRPSU26-9. The application deadline is Monday, February 16, 2026.
This application requires a resume or CV, unofficial transcript, a brief statement of research interests, and a brief statement of career interests. References should be available upon request.