Mass spectrometry has critical applications in a wide variety of diverse scientific disciplines. It is the analytical engine that powers proteomics, drug discovery, and environmental assessment, to name a few. Our interests are focused on several unique and challenging areas using a variety of mass spectrometry techniques. At the forefront is research with the Bruker Ultraflextreme matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometer which was acquired through a NSF-MRI grant. The research has as its focus developing new MALDI based techniques to advance the coverage and diversity of materials that are accessible to analysis by MALDI. We are developing new MALDI based methods to enable the acquisition of a more complete analytical picture of monolayer protected nanoparticles at various stages of synthesis to give researchers timely information regarding their synthesizes with Chemistry and Physics faculty. The results from the work will impact chemistry, physics, material science and biology. The group also is involved in collaborative projects utilizing the MALDI TOF/TOF with a number of Biology faculty members for imaging Alzheimer’s brain tissue imaging fire ant tissue (clubs), imaging and analyzing retinal tissue. We are also continuing our investigations into the aqueous chemistry of transition metal complexes (cis-platin derivatives) and developing analytical methods for small molecules of medical interest (anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant).