Graduate Student Research Opportunities in Chemistry
The Chemistry & Biochemistry Department at Ohio University has an outstanding faculty with research interests across a wide range of areas. Interdisciplinary programs in cross-cutting research themes complement more traditional areas of study in organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, and biochemistry. The department's mission is to provide a quality education to graduate students while pursuing state-of-the art research in chemistry.
Prospective students can learn more about our research areas and discuss faculty research that interests them in the Statement of Purpose on the application for admission.
Faculty Research Areas
Core Research Clusters
- Analytical & Forensic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical and Computational Chemistry
- Chemical Education
Cross-Cutting Research Themes
Recent News about Graduate Student Research
Three Graduate Students Chosen for Research Funding
Three Chemistry graduate students were chosen for Ohio University Student Enhancement Awards in 2025:
- Deborah Amesaki Korkor, graduate student in Chemistry and Biochemistry, “Identification of Novel Fragments Targeting T-box Riboswitch Anti-terminator.” $6,000, mentor: Jennifer Hines
- Ramasinghege Lumbini Paramitha Ramasinghe, graduate student in Chemistry and Biochemistry, “Exploring Solvent-mediated Control of Ceiling Temperature for Developing Chemically Recyclable Polyesters.” $5,970, mentor: Katherine Cimatu
- Lasantha Rangika Sendanayake, graduate student in Chemistry and Biochemistry, “Surveying H12 Dynamics within Type 1 Nuclear Receptors using a Bipartite Tetracysteine Display.” $6,000, mentor: Justin Holub
Two Chemistry Students Win Awards for Research Funding
The 2024 Ohio University Student Enhancement Awards (SEA) program provided 30 students with a total of $143,490 in funding for their original research, scholarship and creative work this spring.
- Dhanushka Amarasiri, graduate student in Chemistry & Biochemistry, “Probing BCL2 Protein Interations using Scyllatoxin-based BH3 Domain Mimetics,” $6,000; mentor: Justin Holub
- Josie Franks and Gwen Minute, graduate students in Chemistry & Biocheminstry, “Synthesis and Characterization of Two Enantioselective Molecules,” $6,000; mentor: Eric Masson
Plastic from plants? NSF Grant Helps Researchers Explore Plant Polymer Scaffolding
Drs. Mick Held and Katherine Cimatu and graduate students Abdul-Hakeem Al Bulushi, Allan K. Regunton, and Tharushi Ambagaspitiya are working on a project to develop plant-based polymers through a multi-year National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. Dr. Held, an associate professor and graduate chair of the Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, and Dr. Cimatu, professor, graduate chair, and Roenigk Chair in Chemistry, are experts in chemistry, biochemistry, and materials science, and have come together to investigate the polymerization of plant-based biopolymers known as extensins.