International Summer School

Course aim:

To provide an opportunity to undertake a research project and present the results both in the form of a research article and as an oral presentation.

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Prepare a preliminary list of goals to be achieved during the project in collaboration with your project supervisor.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the literature related to the research project.
• Demonstrate research skills appropriate to the area of specialisation.
• Deliver a short talk, giving the background to the project and summarising its key outcomes.
• Write a cogent, clear and concise written report summarising their findings and/or the state of research in your chosen field.

Full time for 6 weeks, lab-based.

• GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent). 
• You should be currently enrolled at an international higher education institution.
• You should be a Chemistry major (or a related subject). 

If your first language is not English, you must meet our minimum proficiency level:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) overall score of 6.0, with no sub test less than 5.5  (if English is not an applicant’s first language) and a GPA of not less than 3.0
• We also accept equivalent scores in other recognised qualifications such as ibTOEFL, CAE, CPE and more.

1. Supramolecular Preconcentrators - Dr Alex Loch 

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/chemistry/staff/alexloch/

This project focuses on developing supramolecular preconcentrators—devices designed to capture, concentrate, and release chemical vapors for later identification. Constructed from a supramolecular scaffold structure, these preconcentrators function like “sponges,” absorbing hazardous chemicals from the environment for subsequent release and detection. The project will involve evaluating various preconcentrator materials to assess their efficiency and suitability for concentrating 'real-world' hazardous chemicals.

2. Steroid Targets: New Sensor Combinations - Dr Will Peveler 

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/chemistry/staff/williampeveler/

The project will involve building and screening new sensor combinations for a variety of steroid targets, and the researcher will receive hands on training and experience with state-of-the-art automated and high-throughput pipetting and measurement (fluorescence plate reading) systems. The researcher will then undertake the statistical analysis (as well as machine learning) on the output data (Excel, JMP, and related packages). There is also scope for undertaking a degree of modelling of the supramolecular system (in MATLAB) as well as some chemical synthesis to create new fluorophores to be included in the sensing system.

3. Single Molecule Spectroscopy of Light Emitting Polymers: Dr Gordon Hedley

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/chemistry/staff/gordonhedley/

Single Molecule Spectroscopy of Light Emitting Polymers: Watching Energy Flow in Single Chains: In this project you will work in our optical lab to measure the light emitted by single polymer chains on our microscope. By measuring the photons one by one the quantum behaviour of the excited states can be observed and how they move along the chain and interact with each other.

4. Bicyclic peptides: Prof Andrew Jamieson 

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/chemistry/staff/andrewjamieson/

Bicyclic peptides are commonplace in nature, often exhibiting unique therapeutic advantages over non- and mono-cyclic peptides. It is well known that the cyclisation of peptides improves a broad range of pharmacokinetics, helping to improve the drug properties of peptide molecules. The focus of our work is to examine and compare linear and singular cyclised triazole containing peptides, with bicyclic cyclised triazole peptides. Specifically, we will be employing a completely novel bicyclic tethering methodology, promising to produce exciting and interesting results. Upon completion of peptide synthesis, we will be investigating the effect this added structural rigidity has on peptide activity, stability and secondary structure.

5. Gels for encapsulation and release - Prof Dave Adams

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/chemistry/staff/daveadams/

We are investigating the use of gels formed by the self-assembly of small peptides to trap and protect a range of active molecules. We can then release the active molecule mechanically by pressing through a syringe filter. This traps the gel network, but release the trapped molecule. Here we will examine how effective this method is for encapsulating new types of species. The project will involve the preparation and characterisation of gels using rheology, as well as monitoring the efficiency of release using spectroscopic methods such as UV-Vis.

6. Colour Changing/Chromic Film Testing - Prof Emily Draper

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/chemistry/staff/emilydraper/

We are working on colour changing or chromic films made from small self-assembling dyes. These materials are aiming to replace metal-based alternatives in applications such as Smart Windows, sensors, privacy glass and displays. The project will look at synthesizing these materials in water, preparing thin films and testing their chromic behaviour in different temperatures and humidity conditions. This data is vital in the performance of the materials and is a key indicator of how they will work in the real world.

7. Improving undergraduate teaching methods in undergraduate organic chemistry - Dr Cosma Gottardi

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/chemistry/staff/cosmagottardi/

Research looking at the best way teach organic chemistry at an undergraduate level. Designing, developing and delivering experiments that best compliment and explain undergraduate organic chemistry concepts. Making chemistry acessible for all.

8. Discovering chemical reactions in strange new places - Hessam Mehr

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/chemistry/staff/hessammehr/

As chemists constantly on the lookout for new reactivity, we are now searching for discoveries outside the traditional laboratory glassware. Join us on the quest for interesting chemistry in unfamiliar places, from mists of tiny droplets to emulsions and gels.

9. Computational simulation of semiconductor materials - Laia Vila-Nadal

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/chemistry/staff/laiavil/

In this project we will be combining computational chemistry with experimental chemistry to make mono substituted transition metals. In my group we are investigating transition metal substituted lacunary Keggin anions {W₁₁} and Wells-Dawson {W₁₇}. Such structures are derivatives of the parent anion [XM₁₂O₄₀]^q-where X is the heteroatom (most commonly P⁵⁺, Si⁴⁺, or B³⁺) and M = W, Mo. Our recent computational results point to the  phosphorus-templated tungstate- and molybdate-TM-substituted clusters have a strong selectivity for nitrogen binding, but the silicon-templated equivalents favored hydrogen binding. 

The candidate will gain skills in computational chemistry and density functional theory tools (e.g., ADF, Quantum Espresso, Turbomole, etc.), atomic-scale modeling/atomistic simulation of semiconductor materials tools (e.g., Quantum ATK), High-Performance Computing user experience, and general programming skills: shell scripting on UNIX, Python, Fortran (90), and debugging. Additionally, they will learn basic synthetic coordination chemistry in a wet lab, involving the synthesis of coordination compounds, characterization methods such as NMR, IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, purification techniques like recrystallization, chromatography, and distillation, and adherence to safety protocols for handling chemicals and equipment.