Faculty and Staff
Amy J.R. Bauer
Assistant Professor
Research in the Bauer group is focused on the generation, transport and analysis of large aerosol particles. Aerosol chemical and physical properties are important in many arenas, including the understanding of some ozone depletion processes and tropospheric air quality. Knowledge of optical properties impacts the accuracy of climate change models. Hazardous bioaerosols can be dispersed as large aerosol particles, and their detection is an area of high importance to national security. Our aerosol analysis schemes are based on the application of a direct ablation plasma technique, spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy, which determines elemental composition of airborne material in near-real time. Additionally, we hope to branch into other compelling research topics, such as the impact of aerosols as prebiotic chemical reactors and the use of aerosol generators to produce high quality explosive standards for the calibration of monitoring equipment.
Lawrence J. Berliner
Professor
My research is involved in biophysical chemistry and the studies of free radicals in living systems by in vivo EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) and other techniques.
Gareth R. Eaton
Professor
The Eaton group uses molecules with unpaired electrons to measure local oxygen concentration, which is important for applications ranging from radiation therapy to treatment of poor blood circulation. Work is underway to develop techniques and instrumentation to permit these measurements to be done in living systems. The instruments use magnetic field to distinguish between molecules in different environments or regions of the sample. We are also developing new ways to acquire and analyze the signals. This work involves collaboration between engineers, biochemists, and biophysicists.
Sandra S. Eaton
Professor and Chair
The Eaton group uses unpaired electrons in biological molecules to probe dynamics and distances between locations on a protein. The unpaired electrons may be on native sites of a protein such as radicals or iron complexes or may be intentionally added as probes. The distance measurements are used to study how protein subunits combine into larger assemblies and how conformations change to accomplish reactions. This work includes preparation of biomolecules, spectroscopic measurements, and data analysis. This work involves collaboration between biochemists, spectroscopists, and chemists.
Julanna V. Gilbert
Associate Professor
I am the Director of the Center for Teaching & Learning and a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. The Teaching page of my DU portfolio (http://portfolio.du.edu/jgilbert) describes some of the interactive teaching methods that I use in both general chemistry and undergraduate physical chemistry courses. I also am very interested in integrating modern computational chemistry into the undergraduate curriculum, and in every class I teach, the students use programs such as Spartan and Gaussian to explore molecular structure and spectroscopy. My research interests have involved kinetic and spectroscopic studies of energetic inorganic compounds using low temperature matrix isolation and gas phase methods. Molecules of interest include the halogen amines, halogen azides, and boron-nitrogen systems.
Joseph M. Hornback
Professor
I teach undergraduate organic chemistry using the textbook that I have written, "Organic Chemistry", second edition. We approach organic chemistry from a mechanistic point of view. My scholarly activity has turned in the direction of chemical education, including the textbook, the American Chemical Society Examination in Organic Chemistry, and the use of clickers in the classroom.
Michelle Knowles
Assistant Professor
The goal of our research is to understand the molecular mechanism of membrane proteins. We use biophysical techniques, such as imaging and spectroscopy, to temporally map proteins on the plasma membrane of living cells and model membrane systems. We are particularly interested in proteins that facilitate the fusion of intracellular vesicles with the plasma membrane and proteins that regulate the flow of chemicals across the plasma membrane.
Andrei G. Kutateladze
Professor
The K-groups interests are in applied and theoretical organic photochemistry. We discover and study new photochemical reactions, pursuing a better understanding of the nature and reactivity of excited states. This knowledge is employed to develop practical applications ranging from expeditious synthesis of complex molecular scaffolds to designing new assays for high throughput bioanalytical applications and combinatorial screening, useful for the thriving field of chemical biology. We continue to develop innovative methodologies for detection and photochemical pre-amplification of molecular recognition events, both in solution and on a chip. These techniques are being applied to medicinal chemistry, helping identification of novel drug candidates and lead compounds. Organic photochemistry is an exciting and growing area, offering opportunities in many fields, including chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical biology!
Martin Margittai
Assistant Professor
The folding of proteins into correct three-dimensional structures and the control over their intermolecular interactions is of central importance to the proper functioning of cells. A complex machinery has evolved that assists in folding and ensures proper protein contacts. Malfunctioning of this machinery can lead to protein misfolding and result in fatal human diseases including Parkinson’s disease and Type II diabetes. A characteristic feature of most misfolding diseases is the deposition of proteins into fibrillar inclusions and plaques. Research in our lab focuses on the misfolding of the microtubule associated protein tau. Tau fibrils are found in numerous neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. The formation of fibrils is a multistep process starting from monomeric disordered tau. The conformational changes leading to oligomers and the progression into mature fibrils are only poorly understood. Our lab uses a broad range of biophysical approaches to obtain structural insights into the misfolding of tau. We are furthermore interested in elucidating the cellular mechanisms that control tau function and prevent fibril formation. A detailed molecular understanding of the tau structures involved, their conformational transitions, and cellular control appears to be an important prerequisite towards developing new drugs that intervene in the aggregation process.
Keith E. Miller
Associate Professor
The research interests of the Miller group are very interdisciplinary in nature. They can be broadly defined in three major areas: 1) fundamental and applied research in separation sciences with applications focused in environmental contaminants, 2) research in water treatment technology focused in novel sorbent preparation and wet-oxidation for the removal of chemicals of concern from wastewaters (agricultural, industrial and municipal), and 3) development of analytical techniques for the analysis of food contaminants.
Balsingham Murugaverl
Lecturer
I teach a variety of courses from freshman to graduate level while being the director of undergraduate laboratories. I also volunteer as the manager of the mass spectrometry facilities. My research interests are applied in nature, like to find solutions to immediate real life scientific problems. One of my current researches involves the development of superior chlorine resistant reverse osmosis membrane for water purification. "Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink", can apply as much to countries and societies without fresh water supply to military operations. Development of advanced membranes with chlorine resistance along with enhanced water flux and salt rejection requires more comprehensive understanding of the molecular level mechanisms of structure property relationships. This involves; synthesis of novel monomers and polymers, use of state-of the- art characterization techniques and field testing. Our systematic approach for this problem has guided us to the creation of a newer polyamide RO membrane with superior chlorine resistance and RO properties. A patent has been granted for this invention.
Ronald S. Nohr
Lecturer
Scott Pegan
Assistant Professor
The Pegan laboratory’s research goal is to gain a greater understanding of the mammalian innate immune response and how it is modulated, as well as develop new therapeutic templates for emerging diseases. Our on-going intent is to investigate the anti-viral type I response through the structural and kinetic study of proteases and ligases involved in the immune response signaling pathway. Through this research a better understanding of the role these proteins play in cellular regulation of the innate anti-viral immune response will occur. This insight will allow us to pioneer treatments for viral infection as well as autoimmune and cancer disorders. In addition, we also intend to seek new antibiotic templates for Tuberculosis using structure based drug design and high-throughput screening.
Byron Purse
Assistant Professor
The research interests of the Purse group are centered on supramolecular chemistry and catalysis. We are designing and synthesizing cavity-containing molecules that can partially or fully surround smaller molecules and be used to control chemical reactions. A major goal is to develop improved, modular approaches to this chemistry that simplify the application of supramolecular catalysis to reactions that have been difficult to address using classical catalysis. As part of these efforts, we seek to address fundamental questions on the role of flexible molecular structures in achieving fine control of reactions and in making subtle discriminations in molecular recognition. Students working on these projects gain expertise in the techniques of molecular design, organic synthesis and physical organic chemistry, and contribute to our growing knowledge of how chemical structure gives rise to properties.
Dwight M. Smith
Research Professor and Chancellor Emeritus
The research of Prof. Dwight Smith and Dr. Abdul Chughtai currently is directed toward several aspects of fossil fuel combustion. Much of that work has resulted in an extensive body of knowledge on the chemical and physical properties (structure and reactivity) of particulate black carbon (BC) emissions. That knowledge underpins collaborative research with the Webb Waring Institute (UCHSC) on the mechanisms of oxidative stress and inflammation created by fine BC particle inhalation. Other aspects of their combustion-related research include the effects of designed fossil fuel additives on emissions.
Donald H. Stedman
Professor and Brainerd F. Phillipson Chair
Drs. Donald Stedman and Gary Bishop work together at the leading edge of technology which they invented, and patented, to measure the emissions of motor vehicles as they drive by. The remote sensing system monitors various vehicle emissions in a realistic on-road situation, at a rate of 5,000 readings per day. On-road remote sensing generates large data bases of emissions measurements which we use to investigate the effectiveness of the various government programs that attempt to reduce motor vehicle emissions. We have monitored over three million motor vehicles in twenty countries, and the list continues to expand.
Andrew L. Ternay
Research Professor
Working with Dr. Petr Kikilo, we are in the process of developing medical countermeasures to chemical, biological and nuclear weapons (WMDs). The issues currently being examined include, but are not limited to, cyanide poisoning and botulism. Educational materials for the medical community include chapters in Chemical Warfare Agents. 2nd Ed, CRC Press, 2008 (Ch 1: "Brief History and Use of Chemical Warfare Agents in Warfare and Terrorism" and "Chemistry of Chemical Warfare Agents"). The book "The Language of Nightmares" (2003) has been written to educate a range of less-technically trained individuals, including media representatives, educators, nurses, politicians, and law enforcement about some of the terms associated with terrorims and WMDs.
Staff
Gary A. Bishop
Research Associate
Drs. Donald Stedman and Gary Bishop work together at the leading edge of technology which they invented, and patented, to measure the emissions of motor vehicles as they drive by. The remote sensing system monitors various vehicle emissions in a realistic on-road situation, at a rate of 5,000 readings per day. On-road remote sensing generates large data bases of emissions measurements which we use to investigate the effectiveness of the various government programs that attempt to reduce motor vehicle emissions. We have monitored over three million motor vehicles in twenty countries, and the list continues to expand.
Abdul R. Chughtai
Research Associate
The research of Prof. Dwight Smith and Dr. Abdul Chughtai currently is directed toward several aspects of fossil fuel combustion. Much of that work has resulted in an extensive body of knowledge on the chemical and physical properties (structure and reactivity) of particulate black carbon (BC) emissions. That knowledge underpins collaborative research with the Webb Waring Institute (UCHSC) on the mechanisms of oxidative stress and inflammation created by fine BC particle inhalation. Other aspects of their combustion-related research include the effects of designed fossil fuel additives on emissions.
Laurel C. Shurtleff
Budget and Office Manager