Author: jburns2

David Wins Coryell Award!

Congratulations to David Russell who was announced as the 2024 Charles D. Coryell Award winner at the Fall 2024 American Chemical Society National Meeting! The Charles D. Coryell Award from the Division of Nuclear Chemistry of the American Chemical Society honors undergraduate students who have completed research projects in nuclear or nuclear-related areas. There is only one Coryell award handed out each year, the recipient is viewed as the nation’s best and brightest undergraduate researcher.

David is a senior in the Department of Chemistry pursuing his BS in Chemistry. He is also double majoring in Public Health and pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental and Occupational Health.

Undergraduate Students Presented a UAB Summer Expo!

Adrianna Orsi, and Karma Cook each presented their research at the 2024 Summer UAB Undergraduate Research Expo. Adrianna and Karma participated in the Physical and Applied Science poster section on Thursday. Thank you, Adrianna and Karma, for doing a fantastic job representing the Burns Research Group!

The UAB Expo celebrates excellence in research, creative activity, and scholarship by showcasing the academic endeavors of undergraduate students.

Adrianna is a rising junior in the Department of Chemistry pursuing her BS in Chemistry and is a participant in the Horizon-broadening Isotope Production Pipeline Opportunities (HIPPO) collaboration, which is sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Isotope Program.

Karma is a senior in the Department of Chemistry pursuing her BS in Chemistry. She also holds a BS in Public Health from UAB.

Job Opening Inorganic Postdoctoral Researcher

The Burns Research Group has two postdoc openings for highly motivated inorganic or radiochemists. The successful candidates will contribute to a variety of activities in inorganic radiochemistry including 1) the investigation into emerging radioisotopes At-211 for medical applications or 2) the development of new technologies for used nuclear fuel recycling.

Relevant Skills and Experience

  • This position requires the successful candidate to be an adept, hands-on chemist with experience in inorganic, analytical, or radiochemistry, preferably with experience either in experience in short-lived radioisotopes or in f‑element chemistry.
  • A fundamental understanding of metal coordination complexes in solution and solid phases utilization towards applications of separations processes such as solvent extraction, ion exchange, and crystallization is also desirable.
  • The ability to work in a team-oriented, interdisciplinary environment that embraces change, risk, and flexibility is needed.
  • This individual must be capable of handling multiple projects/tasks at the same time.
  • A demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team with a sense of urgency for timelines is needed.
  • The successful candidate must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • A passion and enthusiasm for innovation will be an asset.
  • Proven problem-solving skills and good interpersonal relationship and people skills will be needed.

Essential Duties:

  • Design and carry out independent research focused on inorganic radiochemistry which could include: 1) the study of At-211 binding and complexation or 2) the study of a hexavalent actinide co-crystallization separation approach.
  • Obtain and analyze data from a variety of techniques including ICP-MS, UV-VIS, radioTLC, gamma spectroscopy, LSC, etc.
  • Handle radioactive materials in a safe manner.
  • Keeps meticulous records in laboratory notebook and online data management systems and initial analysis of laboratory results.
  • Write technical reports of experimental data to meet the sponsors’ requirements and for manuscripts to be submitted for peer-reviewed journal article publication.
  • Shares responsibility with other lab members for compliance with University safety procedures and maintaining common supplies and instruments.
  • Conduct literature searches related to research projects.

Required Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, preferably with experience in inorganic chemistry or radiochemistry.
  • US Citizen or Green card holder may be required depending on the project.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • High-quality, peer-reviewed publications

Preferred Skills/Desirable Qualifications:

  • Experience with short-lived radioisotopes
  • Experience with radioTLC and HPLC
  • Experience in f-element separation
  • Experience with UV-Vis spectroscopy
  • Experience with actinide chemistry

If you are interested, please submit a Cover Letter, CV, and Research Statement to burnsjon@uab.edu

Students Place at the UAB Spring Expo!

Congratulations to Adrianna, Karma, and David, who all placed at the 2024 Spring UAB Undergraduate Research Expo. Adrianna earned 1st place in the Works in Progress poster category, Karma earned 1st place in the Physical and Applied Science poster category, and David earned 2nd place in the campus-wide In-Person Oral Presentation category. Thank you, Adrianna, Karma, and David, for doing a fantastic job representing the Burns Research Group!

Undergraduate Students Presented a UAB Spring Expo!

Adrianna Orsi, Karma Cook, and David Russell each presented their research at the 2024 Spring UAB Undergraduate Research Expo. David participated in the campus-wide In-Person Oral Presentation section on Wednesday, while Karma participated in the Physical and Applied Science poster section and Adrianna participated in the Works in Progress poster section, both poster sessions were on Thursday. Thank you, Adrianna, Karma, and David for doing a fantastic job representing the Burns Research Group!

The UAB Expo celebrates excellence in research, creative activity, and scholarship by showcasing the academic endeavors of undergraduate students.

Adrianna is a rising junior in the Department of Chemistry pursuing her BS in Chemistry and Karma is a senior in the Department of Chemistry pursuing her BS in Chemistry. She also holds a BS in Public Health from UAB. David is a senior in the Department of Chemistry pursuing his BS in Chemistry. He is also double majoring in Public Health and pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental and Occupational Health.