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University research directory
Research labs at
University of Kansas.
Compare 5 listed faculty-led profiles, explore their research interests, and follow the evidence in their selected work. These listings are a starting point for discovery and do not establish recruiting availability.
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Review each lab’s official website and recent publications. Compare the methods used, the questions being asked, and the practical requirements of any published opening. Unclaimed profiles are independently curated; the university has not approved or endorsed them.
How to compare research labs ↗Official university website ↗5 research-led lab profiles
Browse labs by their listed college affiliationLunte Research Group
University of KansasSusan M. Lunte · Ralph N. Adams Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Measuring a biological signal is often the first obstacle to understanding it. Susan Lunte develops small-scale analytical methods for studying peptide transport and metabolism across the blood-brain barrier. Her group also builds separation-based sensors that combine microdialysis with microchip electrophoresis, cell-based assays on chips, and diagnostics for cardiovascular and metabolic disease. These projects connect analytical chemistry with neurochemistry and drug development. The research is a concrete match for interests in biosensing, microfluidic analysis, and monitoring molecules at biologically relevant concentrations.
Michael Johnson Research Group
University of KansasMichael A. Johnson · Professor of Chemistry
How do neurons communicate, and how does that communication change in disease? Michael Johnson develops and applies bioanalytical techniques to measure neurotransmitters on physiological time scales. His group uses electrochemical detection, fluorescence microscopy, microfluidics, and related biochemical and behavioral methods to examine neurological disorders, oxidative stress, and drug action. Research described by the group includes altered dopamine release in Huntington’s disease models. The work links chemical measurement with neuroscience for researchers interested in the molecular signals behind brain function.
Steven A. Soper Research Group
University of KansasSteven A. Soper · Foundation Distinguished Professor
What if complex medical measurements could fit onto a small chip? Steven Soper develops biomedical devices and assays that analyze DNA, RNA, and proteins for discovery and diagnostics. His research includes lab-on-a-chip cancer diagnostics, methods for isolating circulating tumor cells, and nanoscale devices for sequencing. The group integrates reagents, analytical methods, and hardware across multiple length scales, with applications to cancer, stroke, and infectious disease. This connects chemistry and mechanical engineering around the design of practical diagnostic systems.
Wagner Lab
University of KansasMaggie Wagner · Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
A plant’s environment includes an entire community of microbial neighbors. Maggie Wagner studies the genetic basis of plant interactions with that environment in both natural and agricultural systems. Her research combines quantitative genetics and evolutionary ecology to investigate links among plant genotypes, traits, and microbiomes. The broader goal is to understand and improve the health of crops and wild plants under environmental challenges. This offers a research match for interests in plant-microbe relationships, complex traits, evolution, and the biological foundations of agricultural resilience.
Whelan Research Group
University of KansasRebecca J. Whelan · Professor of Chemistry
A cancer biomarker is useful only if researchers understand what they are measuring. Rebecca Whelan studies the ovarian cancer marker CA125, including its structure and the sites recognized by antibodies. Her lab combines proteomics, microscale separations, bioinformatics, and affinity-reagent development to characterize biomarkers and improve recognition strategies. Research also develops aptamers against proteins and whole-cell targets, with potential uses in targeted delivery and simple detection devices. This connects analytical chemistry with the molecular details needed for better cancer measurement.
Showing 1–5 of 5 labs