Research is an integral (and required) part of the ACS-certified degree programs. It is also often the most rewarding and exciting component of an undergraduates’ experience. Faculty in the Department of Chemistry offer laboratories in all areas of chemistry (analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic, or physical), and many projects bridge multiple aspects of the chemical sciences. Investigate the opportunities by reading faculty research descriptions.
How do I join a research lab?
Research is a requirement for all chemistry majors. During your fourth semester, you should begin reading faculty webpages to find research that appeals to your interests. Form a short-list and email each faculty individually. Introduce yourself and explain your interest in their research. Ask to join their lab. Each faculty member has a different approach to new students, but all are open to brining new students into their labs. Students conducting research during the academic year with chemistry faculty may receive credit for CHM 391/392.
Summer Research Opportunities for Undergraduates
The Wake Forest URECA program sponsors students to work in research laboratories here over the summer. Students apply to the program through their research mentor, so getting involved in research during the school year as part of CHM 391/392 can be important to putting together a competitive application.
The National Science Foundation and the Wake Forest Center for Translational Sciences provide stipends for opportunities for mentored research. Through an NSF-sponsored grant administered by the Center for Translational Sciences, Wake Forest Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are eligible to apply for this program. Follow this link to learn Summer Research Opportunities for Undergraduates
Research Outside the Department of Chemistry
While the majority of chemistry majors complete research with faculty in the department, many students complete their research requirement elsewhere. Options include research with WFU School of Medicine faculty, interdisciplinary research in other WFU departments and research labs at other academic institutions or summer industry experiences. Students interested in completing their research requirement outside the department must complete the CHM 390 Approval Form and submit it to Dr. Angela King (kingag@wfu.edu). A list of WFU School of Medicine faculty who have previously supervised CHM 390 research can be found here. If you would like to work in a research lab in another WFU science department doing chemical research, please send Angela King an email with a brief project description and the contact information for your research mentor to see if it could count for CHM 391.
Terrence Smalley, Jr. Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry Wake Forest School of Medicine Assistant Director, Medicinal Chemistry, Structural Biology & Drug Discovery Shared Resource Wake Forest Comprehensive Cancer Center Winston-Salem, NC terrence.smalleyjr@advocatehealth.org
Steven J. Kridel, Ph.D. Chair Department of Cancer Biology Wake Forest University School of Medicine Hanes 5056 Steven.Kridel@advocatehealth.org
Rebecca M. Sappington, Ph.D. Director, Ocular Biorepository Core Resource Co-Director, Translational Eye and Vision Research Center Associate Professor, Dept. Biochemistry Wake Forest University School of Medicine Rebecca.Sappington@advocatehealth.org
Rong Chen, Ph.D. Professor Department of Translational Neuroscience Wake Forest University School of Medicine Rong.chen@advocatehealth.org