Research, involving the observation, consideration or learning of previously unknown ideas, goes to the heart of SMU's mission. We strongly encourage undergraduate students to engage in research projects to supplement their curriculum. There are many benefits to the student. One broadens the scope of study beyond what can be obtained strictly in the classroom. The opportunity to pursue a topic or idea in an independent way with faculty involvement or supervision provides an important path to intellectual growth. (Click to Read More....)

FEATURE STORY

Developing Molecules to Counter Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria

Emily Harry is generating new inhibitors of beta-lactamase, a bacterial enzyme responsible for the degradation of penicillin and the resultant bacterial resistance.

SMU senior Emily Harry is generating new inhibitors of beta-lactamase, a bacterial enzyme responsible for the degradation of penicillin and the resultant bacterial resistance to this antibiotic. This undergraduate research, performed in the laboratory of SMU Professor John Buynak, has involved collaborations with Merck Inc., Case Western Reserve University, and a number of other academic and industrial laboratories. The new inhibitors can be co-administered, together with beta-lactam antibiotics (like penicillins and cephalosporins) to kill resistant strains.

The research requires numerous skills, beginning with understanding what type of structural modification is desired, knowing enough synthetic chemistry to put the pieces together, handling the chemicals, and identifying and purifying the products of the synthetic reactions. Emily utilizes state of the art analytical instrumentation, such as the Chemistry Department’s nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, to perform analyses and determine structure. Professor Buynak characterizes her as one of the most patient researchers to work in the lab in the past ten years. “Emily has the inherent fascination with scientific discovery that is needed for success. She is always willing to go the extra mile to do the experiment right, regardless of how much effort and time it might require. Working with her is enjoyable.”

The compounds that Emily has prepared are some of the most potent inhibitors of the bacterial enzymes that have been prepared to date. Results from her research will be presented at upcoming international meetings. Her research is supported from Dr. Buynak’s research funds in addition to the university’s URA program. Emily was able to attend the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) last year in San Francisco. Dr. Buynak hopes to send her to the upcoming American Chemical Society meeting in Boston. “I want her to be able to see how science is done and how the fields of chemistry, biology, and medicine interface.”

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LATEST NEWS



Kyle Paterson, a junior Geology major, was announced as a finalist in the SMU Student Employee of the Year campaign.

April 13, 2011: URA student nominated for SMU Student Employee of the Year
Kyle Paterson, a junior Geology major, was announced as a finalist in the SMU Student Employee of the Year campaign for his work as an undergraduate research assistant in the Schuler Museum of Paleontology. Kyle was nominated by Dr. Louis Jacobs, President of the Institute for the Study of Earth and Man at SMU and by Diana Vineyard, Director of Administration at ISEM and supervisor over the undergraduate lab assistants.

Kyle extracts fragile fossil bones from hard rocks, and is currently working on the 110 million-year-old State dinosaur of Texas. Next he will begin work on giant marine reptiles from the country of Angola. Over 1,000 students work on the SMU campus, and the 20 finalists in the Student Employee of the Year campaign represent those who go above and beyond in their departments – as Dr. Jacobs said “It takes a steady hand, strong concentration, and real dedication to perform this kind of work, but Kyle excel. He can prepare delicate specimens with great skill and he gets better every day. His behavior shows that he loves the work.”

April 7, 2010: Hamilton Scholars Reception
Nine Hamilton Scholars celebrated a year of progress in undergraduate research at the home of Professor Caroline Brettell. This year's scholars are Howard He, Peter Vaneff, Jonathan Barger, Joseph Hashem, Margaret Kypreos, Sara Gingrich, Young Hoon Um, Jieun Park and Jill Gregory. They were joined by their faculty collaborators in discussing their research with Jane and Jack Hamilton, benefactors of the Hamilton program, and members of the Dedman College faculty. Research topics in chemistry, physics, anthropology and economics were represented with this year's group of students.

February 16, 2010: SMU Research Fair
An array of research was presented by undergraduates at the annual SMU Research Fair. Six students presented their work alongside graduate students across all schools at the university. All the presentations were of excellent quality, with Aaron Barnes of Anthropology and Kelly Pearson of Physics bringing home awards.