The University of Denver's PhD in chemistry is designed for students whose ultimate aim is to find a career in scientific research. The goal of the program is to train scientists capable of independently pursuing high-level research projects. In addition to rigorous coursework, students complete a dissertation of publishable quality. This degree can prepare students for careers in academic and industrial research environments. Additionally, if the PhD is pursued in conjunction with other professional training, students can go on to work in fields that combine science with public policy, business and law.<br><br>Each student in the chemistry PhD program has an advisory committee that monitors their progress and advises them on their research. The relatively small size of our chemistry graduate program ensures we maintain an environment conducive to close interactions between students and faculty, as well as collaboration between students. We also make sure our students can tailor their programs of study to meet their specific interests and career needs.<br><br>They use unpaired electrons to probe dynamics and distances between selected sites on a protein that are sensitive to it's unique structure and function. This may be substituting a paramagnetic lanthanide for a calcium ion or by covalently adding novel aminoxyl radical probes called spin labels. The spectral analyses, including distance measurements between probes, provides insight on how a protein folds and important conformational changes associated with function.<br><br>Additionally they use molecules called spin traps to characterize free radicals in vivo. Some studies are important to health problems ranging from ischemia/heart disease to infection shock. We pioneered development of techniques and instrumentation for live animal applications which are now routine in unique laboratories around the world. We also utilize MRI in these in vivo applications. Current research involves a homologous family of calcium binding proteins that have tumor killing properties in molten globule form. These also form amyloid aggregates and fibrils, which may be excellent models for neurodegenerative disease proteins.