Dr. Jerry LaRue
Email: larue@chapman.edu
Website: https://sites.chapman.edu/catlab/
College: Schmid College of Science and Technology
Department: Chemistry
Overview of scholarly research/creative activity: Dr. LaRue’s research uses light (spectroscopy) to study the elementary steps that take place when molecules interact during chemical reactions. We focus primarily on chemical catalysis, with detours in protein interactions and optical metrology.
Specific projects working on: The research in my group is focused around three themes: catalysts, protein interactions, and optical metrology.
Catalysis
Catalysts are the hidden workhorses of chemistry in society: they help reduce energy consumption, minimize pollution, synthesize chemicals, and produce food. Catalysts lower the activation energy barriers for desired reaction pathways, resulting in more efficient chemical reactions. My group synthesizes novel metal-based catalysts, including gold nanoparticles, to study and control catalytically important reactions, such as CO oxidation and CO hydrogenation. These projects include collaborations with Stockholm University and Stanford University to use femtosecond optical lasers, x-ray free-electron lasers, and synchrotron light sources.
Protein Interactions
Calmodulin (CaM) is an important calcium sensing protein. We are Investigating the interaction of the HIV matrix protein (HIV-MA) with calmodulin since the cause of these interactions is unknown. Calmodulin has also been correlated with an increase in the aggregation of α-synuclein (Lewy bodies), the cause of Parkinson’s disease. This project aims to understand the interaction between α-synuclein and calmodulin to determine if calmodulin plays an active role in the onset of Parkinson’s disease.
Optical Metrology
In collaboration with Dr. Justin Dressel, we are exploring how to exploit quantum effects in optical experiments for use in quantum metrology and/or quantum computing.
Number of students looking to work with: 3-4
Time commitment for students: Meet once/week, 3-6 hours per week
When students are needed: Fall 2020, Interterm 2021, Spring 2021, Summer 2021
Requirements for students who work with you: Excitement to do research
What would students be expected to do: Lab experiments, literature research/summary, data analysis, programming