Dr. Lehmpuhl's Research Group
My research interests include atmospheric and environmental chemistry, primarily involving method development. My publication list can be found here. There are many opportunities for students at CSU-Pueblo to participate in undergraduate research. Many students begin research immediately following the general chemistry sequence which is unique among most universities. In 1998, the department was recognized as a Program of Excellence by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) which provides funds for student research. The Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program also has student research funds. Independent study, work-study and individual faculty grants are also available. I encourage you to see any of the chemistry faculty for info on the benefits and opportunities available in the CSU-Pueblo Chemistry department for research.
Atomic Force Microscopy
In June of 2001, I received a grant from the National Science
Foundation (#0087833 from the CCLI A&I) which allowed us to purchase an atomic force microscope (AFM).
Atomic force microscopy allows imaging of surface features at near atomic
resolution and can be used to probe various surface properties. We
currently use the AFM in many of our undergraduate labs including a
demonstration in the general chemistry labs and as a regular lab in instrumental
analysis and biochemistry. USC is one of only a few undergraduate institutions in the country with this capability!
Preliminary data from the NSF grant was used to obtain a significant grant from
NIH through the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program.
Undergraduate student David Browder (graduated in May 2003) has been involved in
this work from the start which involves imaging the surface of the mold Penicillium
fellutanum before and after chemical treatments. Studying surface
changes resulting from the action of various enzymes may help in the development
of new antifungal agents.
Chlorinated Pesticides via Solid Phase
Microextraction
Our group is also working on a project which aims at determining
the concentration of pesticides in water and air using solid-phase
microextraction (SPME). The project was initiated with some background
work completed by Erica Billings (graduated April 2000) and Shane Hess
and Dana Troftgruben continued the work for almost two more years (graduated May
2002). This work was presented at
the 221st National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, San
Diego, CA in April 2001 (photo below). A new project involving SPME for
analyzing petroleum compounds in water has begun by masters student Cheng-Bin
Lin and undergraduate Dan Williams.
Atmospheric Carbonyls
My work in atmospheric chemistry is focused on
determining the concentrations of aldehydes, ketones and other trace organic
species in the troposphere. A new method involving derivatization of the
carbonyls has been developed and current research involves applying the
method. Recently, the method was expanded by using mass spectrometry to
analyze the derivatives. Angela Curless (graduated Dec. 1999) presented the work at the 218th
National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, New Orleans, LA, in August
1999 (photo below).
This project trains students in the use of technical equipment including gas
chromatography and mass spectrometry.
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