Utah Tech University

Research Projects

Faculty / Office / Phone / Research Area

Current Projects

Gabriela Chilom / SET 427 / 435-652-7766 / Environmental Chemistry∙ Quantifying the interaction between soil and organic amendments.
∙ Carbon storage potential of desert soils.
∙ Analytical methods for measuring contaminate in soils.
Rico Del Sesto / SET 425 / 435-652-7767 / Materials Chemistry∙ Design and synthesis of new liquids that exhibit responses to optical and magnetic fields for applications in chemistry and materials science.
∙ Development of amphiphilic pharmaceutical- and biomolecule-based materials to improve efficacy and bioavailability, including materials based on cannabinoids and similar naturally-occurring terpene-based compounds.
Jennifer Meyer / SET 428 / 435-879-4283 / Biochemistry∙ Synthesis of Pterostilbene derivatives to improve antioxidant capacity and/or reduce cell proliferation.
∙ The potential synergistic effects of dabrafenib and pterostilbene on melanoma cell proliferation.
∙ The effect of pterostilbene and its derivatives endothelial function under hyperglycemic conditions
Diana Reese / SNOW 218 / 435-652-7774 / Computational Chemistry∙ Structure and dynamics of cyclic amino-borane complexes
Wendy Schatzberg / SET 426 / 435-879-4374 / Chemical Education∙ Investigation into nanomaterial properties and structures formed in biological and vacuum systems using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
∙ Chemistry education research into metacognition prompts, relationships between learning gains and student acheivement, misconceptions, and assessment
Md Motiur Mazumder / Snow 219 / 435-879-4377 / Inorganic Chemistry∙ Synthesis, characterization, and analysis of materials (ion membranes, organic/inorganic molecules) for redox flow batteries and electro catalysis.
∙ Renewable energy harvesting and storing are the greater interest of my research.

2025

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, May

Utah Tech students Easton Eddie, Wyatt Legas, Jacob Mead, Reno Blackmore, and Gabe Matthews represented the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in National Harbor, just outside Washington, D.C. This prestigious event brought together scientists from around the world to share research, explore new technologies, and engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration, shaping the future of biochemistry and molecular biology.

Utah Tech students Easton Eddie, Wyatt Legas, Jacob Mead, Reno Blackmore, and Gabe Matthews represented the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department at the **2026 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology** in National Harbor, just outside Washington, D.C. This prestigious event brought together scientists from around the world to share research, explore new technologies, and engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration, shaping the future of biochemistry and molecular biology.

2024

National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Long Beach, April

The Emerald Conference: The 9th Annual Interdisciplinary Cannabis Science and Psychedelics Even in San Diego, CA, April

Madison Bulloch, Mikayla Dunn, Alexia Casillas, “Formulation of Transdermal Cannabinoids”

National American chemical society (ACS) meeting in New Orleans, LA in March.1

Ashley Staten, “Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Pterostilbene Derivatives for Potential use as Therapeutics”

2023

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Conference in Seattle, March

Nele Hebbeler, Synthesis and Evalustion of Pterostilbene Amino Alcohol Derivatives as Antioxidants and Reversible Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.9

Raegan Wood and Jessica DiScala, Investigation of the synergistic effects of dabrafenib and pterostilbene on melanoma cells.

Nele Hebbeler, Jessica DiScala, Dr. Jennifer Meyer, and Raegan Wood.

2022

ACS Regional Meeting Las Vegas, October

Emily Flory presents on Reversible Synthesis of Pyridinium Ionic Liquids

Sanyah Garcia-Nava, Sheena Luy, and Ashley Staten present on Formulation of Amphiphilic Cannabinoids

Landon Fairbanks present on Surface Interactions of Antimicrobial Iconic Liquids

Chicago National ACS Meeting August

West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference in San Diego, CA at Point Loma Nazarene University on April 9, 2022.

Presenting on The Oxidative State of Red Blood Cells under Hyperglycemia Conditions and the Impact of Pterostilbene advised by Jennifer Meyer

Research Symposium
Cutler Cowdin, Jase Jensen, and Spencer Thatcher

Research Symposium
Nele Hebbeler and Oceane Massamba

E. Shelton*, D. Johnson presenting soil organic matter: quantifying the potential for carbon sorption of local soils advised by Gabriela Chilom

2021

Sanyah Garcia-Nava is a chemistry student studying biochemistry, she presented at the DSU Symposium for Research, Innovation, and Creativity in Spring of 2021 with Richard Warner. She learned how to culture human T-cells and performed a co-immunoprecipitation to confirm the interaction of proteins.

2020

M. Holden*, C. Spiller, D. Johnson, G. Chilom, Comparative study of humic acids from soils and from leaves, ACS National Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. (March 2020).

M. Dustin*, M. Holden, R. Peterson, G. Chilom, Heavy Metals Analysis of Particulate Matter Removed by Trees, ACS National Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. (March 2020).

2019

M. Dustin*, M. Kondel, G. Chilom, Accumulation of particulate matter on leaf surfaces

2018

M. George*, D. Warner, G. Chilom, Investigating the antimicrobial activity of humic acids.

K. Monday*, O. Ruiz, G. Chilom, Kinetics of methylene blue adsorption on humic acids

Research Office

Share your research with the professional and academic worlds through conferences such as the annual DSU Research Symposium and occasionally at national and international chemistry conferences (e.g. the American Chemical Society National Meetings).

Research Office