Fueling talent: Student research and workforce development in nuclear chemistry

The Department of Chemistry in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Akron has received $400,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to pilot two one-year research training programs for undergraduate students. The program is part of the DOE’s Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) initiative and is offered in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, one of the nation’s premier science and energy research facilities.

Each year, four students are selected to help develop a new class of chemical compounds designed to bind and isolate uranium and other radioactive elements — a process known as radionuclide sequestration, which involves capturing, isolating and safely containing these materials. This work is essential not only for preventing environmental contamination but also for enabling the mining and reuse of radioactive substances in nuclear energy. These substances, known as radioisotopes, are also widely used in modern medicine, where they play a vital role in everything from diagnostic imaging to targeted cancer treatments.

The research will focus on isoindoline-based molecules, a group of inexpensive, nontoxic compounds commonly found in dyes and pigments, explained Dr. Chris Ziegler, professor of chemistry and chair of the department. While these molecules have shown promise for binding metals, their potential with uranium and other actinides remains largely unexplored. Under the mentorship of Dr. Alex Boika, associate professor of chemistry, researchers will also study the molecules’ electrochemical behavior, which is important for efficiently separating radioactive substances in both energy and medical contexts.

Dr. Briana Schrage, radiochemist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Promising molecular candidates will be shared with Oak Ridge for further evaluation, strengthening the bridge between academic research and national laboratory innovation. The collaboration also highlights a unique connection between Akron and Oak Ridge: Dr. Briana Schrage ‘21, a radiochemist at the lab, is a UA alumna who trained under Ziegler.

Beyond the lab, the program’s training component is designed to expand the future workforce in nuclear chemistry and related fields, while also preparing some students for admission into graduate-level chemistry programs. A tiered mentoring model will foster collaboration among the undergraduate cohort, faculty and graduate students. Participants will also take part in workshops on scientific writing, ethics and literature review, and will present their findings at local and national conferences. Dr. Nidaa Makki, professor of education, will collaborate with the team on the assessment of program outcomes.

The 2025 cohort has begun its six-week summer research experience, which includes hands-on training and a two-week research visit to the national laboratory, located in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Clara Hoffert

Clara Hoffert, a senior majoring in chemistry and one of the students in the current cohort, said the program has helped solidify her goal of pursuing a career in nuclear science. “The chance to participate in the RENEW project is a great boost toward the kind of career I’ve always imagined,” she said. 

Hoffert said she’s especially excited to visit Oak Ridge, which was founded in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project and played a central role in enriching uranium-235 for the atomic bomb used in World War II.

“As a certified science and history nerd, this research ‘work’ trip is practically my dream vacation,” she said.

• Story by Lisa Craig, BCAS Marketing, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.
• Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.