Undergraduate Research

UNC Asheville Chemistry students are leaders in undergraduate research

Undergraduate Research: Engaged Learning & Problem Solving

UNC Asheville’s nationally recognized undergraduate research program and the Chemistry Department’s longstanding tradition of undergraduate research is one of the strengths of the chemistry major.  Undergraduate research is one of the best educational tools to transform students into chemists.

• Provides hands-on experience using chemical equipment, instrumentation, and theoretical software
• Solidifies foundational curriculum through use and practice
• Expands students’ critical thinking and scientific writing skills to a very high level

Students “learn through research” in many courses starting from the beginning of the freshman year.  And, all chemistry majors conduct at least four semesters of undergraduate research. 

Undergraduate research areas include:

• synthesis of molecules to treat cancer
• atmospheric chemical reactions and the breakdown of small molecules
• materials science, nanomaterials and nanotechnology
• protein-protein and protein-drug interactions relevant to cancer and human disease
• sustainable energy generation
• environmental and food chemistry

I actually started taking classes at UNC Asheville while in high school, and my experience within the chemistry department during that time played a strong role in my eventual decision to attend the university. This chemistry department at UNC Asheville is unique among chemistry departments in that it, like so many other departments here at the university, strongly emphasizes personal relationships between instructors and students. Professors are extremely accessible, allowing for various opportunities that may otherwise be few and far between at other universities. Not only this, but the program is extremely rigorous and places a strong emphasis on undergraduate research, adding a wonderfully fascinating dimension to the college experience. Kyle Cavagnini, Class of 2014

2011 Spring Symposium on Undergraduate Research

UNC Asheville Chemistry students presented 8 oral presentations and 12 posters at the 2011 Spring Symposium on Undergraduate Research.

Congratulations to our oral presenters.

• Nigel McCourry
• Dana Clark
• Kyle Cavagnini
• Phillip Montgomery
• Virginia Porden
• Ryan Oliver
• Britt Tyler
• David Ricker

And to our poster presenters

• Daniel Moore
• Charlotte Bissette
• Brittany Funderbunke
• Kenneth Huang
• Lyle Lawrence
• Ben McDonald
• Justin Thompson
• Mary Kate Tucker
• Arielle Vertuoso
• Josh Hall
• Logan Stagg
• Zachary Stoker

Following the presentations, the Deparment of Chemistry hosted a celebration picnic at W.T. Weaver Park.