Research Labs at Zeis Hall, UNC Asheville
1 University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804
$32 Million Zeis Hall opened in 2009 and is equipped with state-of-the-art teaching and undergraduate research labs.
See more Research Equipment and Instrumentation

Summer 2025 Hosting Research Lab and Project Overview
(Click on the links to each professor’s group website to learn more!)

Dr. Pin Lyu & Dr. Oksana Love’s Labs
Project Title: Emerging affordable metallic nanoparticles for sustainable photocatalysis
Project Overview: Harvesting light energy into other energy-rich chemicals by photocatalysis is an important option for a sustainable future. This project aims to explore the fundamental knowledge of photocatalytic systems with affordable metallic nanoparticles.
Emails: plyu@unca.edu & olove@unca.edu

Dr. Saman Majeed’s Lab
Project Title: Harnessing Over-the-Counter Drugs, Laboratory Chemicals and Household Items to Simulate Forensic Analysis of Illicit Drugs
Project Overview: Identification of illicit drugs or controlled drugs is a critical area in forensic investigation. The goal of this project is to provide an opportunity to learn the techniques used by the modern forensic chemist for controlled drug identification.
Email: smajeed@unca.edu

Dr. Jeromy Rech‘s Lab
Project Title: Design and Synthesis of Recyclable Conjugated Polymers for Solar Applications
Project Overview: The focus on this project is to design new types of recyclable plastics (also known as polymers) which can also conduct electricity. This can enable new designs for light weight, flexible, and low-cost solar panels.
Email: jrech@unca.edu

Dr. Ryan Steed & Dr. Amanda Wolfe‘s Labs
Project Title: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of ATP Synthase Inhibitors as Potential Antibiotics
Project Overview: There have been no new antibiotic classes to treat Gram-negative bacteria in the past 50 years despite the growing number of infections caused by these bacteria. The goal of this project is to make and test new antibiotics that can kill these bacteria by stopping their ability to make energy.
Emails: psteed@unca.edu & awolfe@unca.edu