Chemistry Research & Internships

Faculty-student research

You have the opportunity to work closely with Cornell faculty members on collaborative research projects during the Cornell Summer Research Institute. During the research institute, you will be part of an on-campus living and learning community, doing research using the department's cutting-edge scientific equipment and participating in career and professional development workshops.

Chemistry faculty have ongoing research projects with students on topics such as:

• Impact of human diet on ion channel function in order to predict and control drug side effects.

• Organic dyes, focusing on the relationship between structure and optical properties.

• Bacterial metabolites that inhibit plant pathogens and may serve as an alternative to agricultural pesticides.

• Room temperature ionic liquids as a means for separating and capturing carbon dioxide.

• Energy utilization in a yeast that may shed light on causes of human obesity.

You will have the opportunity to present the results of your research at the Cornell College Student Symposium or at regional or national meetings of the American Chemical Society.

Molecular research

Solvatochromic molecules

Perfecting lab experiments

NMR Studies in Solvatochromic molecules

Yeast

X-Ray fluorescence

Removing metal from water

Environmental viruses of gram positive bacteria

Lead levels

Soil microbiome

Off-campus research

You're encouraged to pursue research opportunities at other institutions, as well. The department has an ongoing relationship with the Oak Ridge Science Semester, a program that allows for a semester-long research experience and where Professor Craig Teague has twice served as resident faculty director.

Students have also done research at Rutgers University, the University of Oregon, Iowa State University, University of Nebraska, Baylor University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Arizona, the University of Minnesota, Missouri State University, and the University of Illinois.

Internships and fellowships

One Course At A Time enables you to participate in block-long internships, giving you the chance to take part in off-campus experiences tailored to your interests and earn credit toward graduation. Dimensions for Health Professions offers students access to internships related to health professions, including in physicians offices, public health offices, and research laboratories.

Students have recently completed internships or fellowships at

• Integrated DNA Technologies in Coralville, Iowa
• Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• State Hygienic Laboratory in Coralville, Iowa
• The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City
• AbbVie in Lake County, Illinois