My research interests include authentic, real-life application of scientific thinking, new classroom techniques to engage learners in scientific thinking, and practical teaching methods for all sciences at the secondary and post-secondary levels, but specifically focused on chemistry.
Venus is Earth’s closest neighbor, but we do not know much about it because of its harsh surface conditions. Scientists are interested in knowing what rocks and minerals may be on the surface of Venus. The current research project is to investigate the near-infrared to infrared spectra of various rocks and minerals at different temperatures, pressures, and atmospheric concentrations. We want to determine whether, and how, changing conditions affect the spectra. The ultimate goal is to compare our results with spectra collected by NASA missions to Venus in the 2030s. I am working with Melinda Huff in the Harding Chemistry & Biochemistry department on this project. This project often provides undergraduate students with stipends to conduct their research. Students also get experience presenting posters or presentations at scientific conferences. Please feel free to contact me (jhatvany@harding.edu) or Melinda Huff (mhuff2@harding.edu).
In addition, students performing research with me often focus on utilizing techniques such as Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as well as unique ionization methods in direct-injection mass spectrometry as a collaborative technique to assess varying complex systems including content of spider hemolymph and contaminants in water systems.
Current Research Projects for Melinda Huff, MS
My educational and research background is varied. I have bachelor's degrees in biology and geology (minors in environmental studies and limnology), and my master’s degree is in water resources science. As a result, I have varied interests. I have listed the current projects below, but if you have an idea for a research project, let me know.
Microplastics:
Microplastics are ubiquitous in environments on Earth. However, scientists are still learning about microplastic transport in and out of living organisms, especially in terrestrial ecosystems. Dr. Ryan Stork (Department of Biology at Harding University) and I have been working with several students studying different species of invertebrates and plants. Students have studied mealworms, superworms, Daphnia magna, tomato plants, and basil plants. If you have an organism or plant you would like to investigate, please let us know. We have had undergraduate students receive stipends while working on some of the projects. Students also get experience presenting posters or presentations at scientific conferences. Feel free to email me (mhuff2@harding.edu) or Dr. Ryan Stork (rjstork@harding.edu).
Venus:
Venus is Earth’s closest neighbor, but we do not know much about it because of its harsh surface conditions. Scientists are interested in knowing what rocks and minerals may be on the surface of Venus. The current research project is to investigate the near-infrared to infrared spectra of various rocks and minerals at different temperatures, pressures, and atmospheric concentrations. We want to determine whether, and how, changing conditions affect the spectra. The ultimate goal is to compare our results with spectra collected by NASA missions to Venus in the 2030s. I am working with Dr Jacob Hatvany in the Harding Chemistry & Biochemistry department on this project. This project often provides undergraduate students with stipends to conduct their research. Students also get experience presenting posters or presentations at scientific conferences. Please feel free to contact me (mhuff2@harding.edu) or Dr. Jacob Hatvany (jhatvany@harding.edu).
Research with Dr. Dennis Matlock involves several projects aimed at elucidating the mechanism of action of DNA helicase enzymes. Dr. Matlock's research has been funded by The Arkansas Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network ($17,090) and the Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (Arkansas INBRE) ($17,838). Dr Matlock's latest work was published in the journal Biochemistry. [Dennis L. Matlock, Laxmi Yeruva, Alicia K. Byrd, Samuel G. Mackintosh, Clint Langston, Carrie Brown, Craig E. Cameron, Christopher J. Fischer and Kevin D. Raney Biochemistry 2010, 49 (10), pp 2097–2109.]
1. Antioxidants by Deoxyribose Assay
During long-term space travel, astronauts face elevated exposure to ROS like the hydroxyl radical, which causes cellular stress and oxidative damage linked to arteriosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases. This project focuses on developing a stable, fast and simplistic in vitro method to evaluate how effectively different compounds protect biological macromolecules from damage caused by the generation of the hydroxyl radical through the Fenton reaction. Recently, the Murphy lab has focused on sulfur- and selenium-containing molecules as antioxidants.
2. Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Thione Coordination Polymers
This project focuses on synthesizing and structurally characterizing silver(I) complexes and coordination polymers using sulfur-containing thione ligands. Coordination polymers consist of repeating metal-ligand units that form complex networks, with versatile applications as catalysts, electrical conductors, non-linear optics, permanent magnets, chemical sensors and molecular storage materials. Current work extends to how to layer or incorporate these compounds into stable polymers using electrospinning.
3. Pesticides and Pharmaceuticals in Water Analysis
Anthropogenic contaminants like pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS / "forever chemicals") are accumulating in water systems, posing potential risks to human health and wildlife. Arkansas currently lacks a systematic, statewide background monitoring program, especially in rural "data-desert" areas. This project began as a collaborative environmental monitoring initiative designed to identify, map and quantify background levels of contaminants of concern in waterways across the state of Arkansas. Currently, the Harding group is working to establish methods and detection limits for pesticides by GC-MS and pharmaceuticals by LC-MSMS.
As a Forensic Scientist, I'm interested in helping students conduct research which will benefit those working in the forensic science field. Some projects of interest include finding a better drug extraction method from edibles (using CBD), developing a garbage bag database that can be shared in an online forum for reference in forensic cases and validating a method for the extraction and analysis of biofuels from fire debris samples.
Our laboratory has a number of instruments and I'm happy to help students in any research project determine which instrument can be used and how to develop a method for their testing. My passion is microscopy which can enhance a number of projects from microplastics to crystalline structure using stereomicroscopy, polarized light microscopy, or scanning electron microscopy.
Helping students develop and conduct research in something they are interested in is my end goal in research regardless of major or topic. Being in the lab is fun!!
My research interests span a broad range of topics in biochemistry, molecular biology, and the life sciences, and I particularly enjoy involving undergraduate students in meaningful research experiences. My doctoral research focused on understanding how DNA is packaged within the nucleus through its interaction with histone proteins to form the nucleosome core particle, as well as how transcription occurs within the complex environment of chromatin. Since coming to Harding, my research has expanded into a variety of interdisciplinary projects, including the characterization of proteins involved in fat metabolism, the study of wastewater treatment systems aboard the International Space Station and investigations into plant growth in Martian and lunar regolith. Much of my current research is conducted in collaboration with NASA scientists, providing our students with unique opportunities to contribute to research that extends beyond the traditional laboratory setting. I am always eager to work with students on research projects that align with their interests and curiosity, because I believe research is where the concepts and skills students develop in the classroom come to life. It is an opportunity for students to bring together what they have learned, ask meaningful questions, solve problems and experience firsthand the process of doing science.
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