Issue: IXSpring 2011

Dr. Ellen Moomaw’s biochemistry students Kelsey Uberto and Eric Hoffer presented their lab results at the 2011 Enzyme Mechanisms Conference held January 2 through the 6 at the Don Cesar Hotel in St. Pete Beach, FL. The title of their poster was “Characterization of Ceripori-opsis subvermispora Bicupin Oxalate Oxidase Expressed in Pichia pastoris.” Kelsey and Eric enjoyed being the only undergradu-ates in attendance at the meeting. They were able to discuss their work with the many visitors to their poster including Dr. Sheryl Tsai (University of California, Irvine), Dr. Wilson Francisco (Arizona State University), Dr. Marcy Hernick (Virginia Tech), and Nigel Richards (University of Florida). Kelsey and Eric are also authors on a paper describing this work that was recently accepted for publication in Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

Spring 2011 Issue IX Page I

A recent article in the Journal of Chemical Education [J. Chem Ed (2010) 87:245] stated that “institutions are recognizing the powerful impact that the presence of a rich and vibrant faculty-student collaborative environment brings to the campus.” Students and faculty benefit from the active research programs taking place in Kennesaw State University’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Students benefit by participating in research projects by 1) enhancing their resumes, 2) increasing their ability to think, learn and work independently as well as collabora-tively 3) strengthening their written and oral communication skills, 4) sharpening their critical thinking skills, 5) learning if they really like lab work or research before pursuing further educa-tion, and 6) interacting with faculty members in a new way. Undergraduate research experi-ences can be the triumphant archway into the confidence and competence required to achieve success in the sciences in the global community.Similarly, faculty members benefit from providing undergraduate research experiences to stu-dents in a number of ways. Working in the laboratory with students on meaningful and impor-tant research projects puts a “spring in our step” and leads to an intellectual vibrancy which can also be reflected in classroom teaching. Furthermore, mentoring undergraduate research helps faculty stay on the “cutting edge” of their discipline and results can lead to “preliminary data” for external funding. Additionally, undergraduate research allows faculty the opportunity to interact in a collaborative way that is difficult to achieve in the lecture hall.

(Written by: Dr. Ellen Moomaw)

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Spring 2011 Issue IX Page II

ResearchChemistry Biochemistry

During spring semester, Dr. Huggins Msimanga’s Forensic Analytical Chemistry students en-gaged in research projects, which are an extension of their formal laboratory activities. Topics

covered GC/MS analysis of myristicin from nutmeg spices, analysis of psychoactive stimulant in samples of over-the-counter bath salts, FTIR and GC/MS identification of a suspicious powder found at the crime scene, identification of glass pieces from hit-and-run scene using LIBS, and analyzing ink from a crime scene note to find out who wrote the note, the suspect or the victim. Yet another group determined the con-centration of a toxin in a urine sample (drug plus tea) using HPLC/PDA. Students learned

fundamentals such as baseline correction and spectral normalization for proper comparison. They also learned how to interpret score plots from principal component analysis. Six posters altogether were pre-sented at the 16th Annual Symposium of Student Scholars at KSU.

Dr. Jonathan McMurry’s student, Josh Francis traveled to the National Meet-ing of the American Chemical Society in Anaheim, CA to present his work entitled "Substrate specificity switching in assembly of the bacterial flagel-lum: Kinetic analysis of FliK-FlhB-FlhA interactions." Josh, a summa cum laude B.S. Biochemistry graduate, will begin his doctoral studies at Emory this fall.

This past semester, Dr. Greg Gabriel’s students conducted research in the area of Organic Chemistry. Josh Valencia synthesized non-halogenated flame-resistant agents as potential replacements for environmen-

tally harmful fire-retardants. Josh gave a talk about his work at the Georgia Academy of Science Annual Meeting and won an outstanding presentation award. Bryan Tucker (BS Biochemistry junior) synthesized antibiotic molecules simi-lar to, but more stable than, natural host defense peptides (HDPs). The figure shown is a model of Human β-Defensin, an HDP the group is targeting. Bryan will continue in this field of research at Texas A&M University as a paid summer research assistant.

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Chemistry Biochemistry

Research

Alexandr Surin a senior and biochemistry major did his undergraduate research in Dr. Bharat Baruah’s research group since summer 2009. He was involved in two different projects for al-most two years. As an active participant in this research he has learned to synthesize organic and inorganic molecules and characterize them using various spectroscopic tools such as FTIR, UV-vis and multinuclear NMR. As a part of the program he has learned data processing, plotting and interpretation, poster preparation and presentation. One of his projects involved the reaction of cisplatin (a commercially available cancer drug) and biomolecules such as guanosine-5'-monophosphate (5’-GMP) and 9-ethylguanine (9-EtG) in cationic and anionic micellar environment. The other project involved synthesis and char-acterization of cisplatin analogs cis-[PtII(Hpgly)Cl2] and [PtII(pala)Cl] as a part of a quest for better future drugs. This project also involved encapsulation of these drugs in phospholipid bi-layers as an effort to develop a drug delivery system for metal-based drugs. He presented his findings in these two projects in the form of two posters in the 241st ACS national meeting in March 27-31st, 2011 at Anaheim, California. Alexandr is also a co-author of a recently commu-nicated research article entitled “Release and interaction of bilayer incorporated cisplatin with biomolecules” in a peer-reviewed journal. Besides this, Alexandr presented his research work at the 42nd SURC conference on April 9, 2010 and the KSU spring undergraduate symposium in both 2010 and 2011.

CONGRATULATIONS to Babbs Visscher and Josh Valencia for winning best Chemistry Oral Presen-tations at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science, March 25th and 26th hosted by Gainesville State College.

“Synthesis, Characterization, and Methanolysis of N-Acylated Ethanolamine Esters,” Student Pre-senter: Mary Babb Visscher; Co-authors: Beau Routh, Scott Burley, Prof. Kevin P. Gwaltney, and Prof. John Haseltine. “Novel Macromolecular-inorganic Hybrid Systems with Potential Multifunctional Fire-resistant Activ-ity,” Student Presenter: Joshua A. Valencia; Co-authors: Sergey A. Isarov, and Prof. Gregory J. Gabriel.

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Awards Day2009-2010

Chemistry Biochemistry

2009-2010 Award Winners

CRC Press Chemistry Award - Katherine CheathamBiochemistry Award - Eric HofferPhysical Chemisty Award - Jenna RabideauInorganic Chemistry Award - Brian ForsbergAnalytical Chemisty Award - Sabrina DavilaForensic Chemisty Award- Judith Heitz Merck Award - Chris GhattasOutstanding Undergraduate Award - Chem Ed - Henry SchwabACS Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry - Adam ChadwickACS Undergraduate for Achievement in Organic Chemistry - Joshua BaughAmerican Institute of Chemists Award - Biochemistry - Brian ForsbergAmerican Institute of Chemists Award - Chemistry - Judith HeitzOutstanding Graduate Award - Chem Ed - Melinda OgdenOutstanding TA Award - Eric HofferValor Award - Adam ChadwickUniversity Honors Scholar Award - Biochemistry - Jo Leanna WilsonUniversity Honors Scholar Award - Chemistry - Michele Gouws

2010 Scholarships

Brittain Undergraduate Research Scholarship - Aleksandra MikhaylovaDunaway Scholarship - Ryan SlyvesterLeon Combs Scholarhip - Adam Chadwick

Spring 2011 Issue IX Page V

Chemistry Biochemistry

Awards Day2010-2011

2010-2011 Award Winners

CRC Press Chemistry Award - Jeffery VatalaroPharmaceutical Chemistry Award - Robert KuruvillaBiochemistry Award - Faizan LakhaniPhysical Chemisty Award - Kelsey UbertoInorganic Chemistry Award - Johanna BronnyMerck Award - Aleksandra MikhaylovaOutstanding Undergraduate Award - Chem Ed - Lamesha MooreACS Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry - Adam ChadwickACS Undergraduate for Achievement in Organic Chemistry - Chris GhattasAmerican Institute of Chemists Award - Biochemistry - Eric HofferAmerican Institute of Chemists Award - Chemistry - Adam ChadwickOutstanding Graduate Award - Chem Ed - Michele GouwsOutstanding TA Awards - Josh Valencia and Jessica CarterUniversity Scholar Award - Biochemistry - Eric HofferUniversity Scholar Award - Chemistry - Josh FrancisUniversity Scholar Graduate Award - Ana Markova Vaseleva

2011 Scholarships

Brittain Undergraduate Research Scholarship - Mitchell TuttleDunaway Scholarship - Leon Combs Scholarhip - Bryan Tucker

Spring 2011 Issue IX Page VI

SeminarsChemistry Biochemistry

January 20, 2011 - Dr. Ritu Aneja, Georgia State University presented a seminar entitled “Cancer Chemothererapy using Novel Microtubule-Modulating Drugs: A ‘Kinder Gentler’ approach.”

February 22, 2011 - Dr. Heather Abbott - GA Institute of Technoloty presented a seminar entitled “Astrochemistry at Interfaces: Radiation Processing of Icy Surfaces”.

February 23, 2011 - Dr. Christopher Alexander - Kennesaw State University prsented a seminar “ Isolation & Synthesis of a Natural Product: piperine: An Organic Chemistry Labo-ratory and Synthesis of α-Hydroxphosphonates: An undergraduate Research Project”.

February 28, 2011 - Dr. Lei Yang, University of Minnesota- Twin Cities presented a semi-nar entitled “Reactons of Ph3Sb=S with Copper(i) Complexes Supported by N-Donor Ligands: Formation of Stable Adducts and S-Transfer Reactivity”.

March 17, 2011 - Dr. Nigel G. J. Richards, University of Florida, Gainesville presented a seminar entitled “Active site motion and catalysis in formyl-CoA;oxalate CoA transferase, a key enzyme in the bacerial regulation of oxalate homeostasis in humans.”

Emily Rye - Biochemistry 2012 - Emory Summer Research ProgramKathleen O-Rourke - Biochemistry 2012 - University of Connecticut REUBryan Tucker - Biochemistry 2012 - REU at Texas A&M University

Students Research in REU programs around the USA

Spring 2011 Issue IX Page VII

Chemistry Biochemistry

As 2011 is the International Year of Chemistry, Dr. Marina Koether organized and chaired a Symposium at the ACS National Meeting in Anaheim, CA on "International Initiatives in the Study of Chemistry". Dr. Daniela Tapu was an invited speaker and spoke about the Get Global Initiative at KSU and the two study abroad courses offered during Maymester in 2011; one study abroad went to Germany, and one went to Puerto Rico.

Noteworthy News

Publications

Levinger, N. E.; Rubenstrunk, L. C.; Baruah, B.; Crans, D. C. Acidification of reversemi-cellarnanodroplets by atmospheric pressure C02. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 7205-7214.

Lewis, S.E. (2011). Retention and Reform: An Evaluation of Peer-Led Team Learning. Journal of Chemical Education, 88(6), 703-707.

Lewis, S.E., Shaw, J. L. &Freeman, K.A. (2011). Establishing open-ended assessments: investigating the validity of creative exercises. Chemical Education Research and Prac-tice, 12, 158-166.

McMurry, J.L., Chrestensen, C.A., Scott, I.M, Johansen, A.M., Forsberg, B., Harris, K. and Salerno, J.C. (2011) “Rate, affinity and calcium dependence of CaM binding to eNOS and nNOS: effects of phosphorylation,” submitted to FEBS J.

Moussatche, P., Angerhofer,A., Imaram, W., Hoffer, E., Uberto, K. , Brooks, C., Bruce, C., Sledge, D., Richards, N. G. J., Moomaw, E. W. (2011) Characterization of Ceriporiop-sis subvermispora Bicupin Oxalate Oxidase Expressed In Pichia pastoris. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 509, 100-107.

Spring 2011 Issue IX Page V1II

Chemistry Biochemistry

Alumni

Elizabeth Bennett - 2011 - Chemistry Ph.D. program at Georgia State UniversityEdwin Estime - 2011 - Graduate of MAT program at KSU, teaching at Sprayberry High School.Joshua Francis - 2011 - Ph.D. student at Emory University’s Cell & Developmental Biology Eric Hoffer - 2011 - Ph.D. student in Biomedical Science at Emory UniversityRobert Kuruvilla - 2011 - Ph.D. student in Pharmaceutical Engineering at New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNicole McAlister - 2011 - MAT student at Kennesaw State UniversityCourtney Phillips - 2011 - Principal Chemist at Cott Beverages, Columbus, GA.Gary Richoux - 2011 - Ph.D. student at Virginia TechClarisse Valdivieso - 2011 - finishing a second degree at KSUJohn Ballard - 2010 - Accepted into Ph.D. program at University of California, San Diego.Traci Benedict - 2010 - Accepted into Mercer University School of Pharmacy.Jacob Blair - 2010 - Accepted into Marine Biology Program at Nova SoutheasternStephanie Day - 2010 - is a nanny.Brian Forsberg - 2010 - Medical student at William Carey University School of MedicineKatie Freeman - 2010 - Chemistry Teacher at River Ridge High School in Woodstock GA.Michele Gouws -2010 - MAT student at Kennesaw State UniversityJudith Heitz - 2010 - working as a research scientist at CDC.Jacob Hicks - 2010 - working as a chemist at FAI Materials Testing Inc.Haifa Khan - 2010 - Accepted position at Georgia Pacific as a lab technician.Gerhard Kummerow - 2010 - working as a Research Scientist at the CDC.Lanny Lovell - 2010 - working as a technician at Wu-Xi Application Technology.Anh Le - 2010 - Pharmacy student at Nova Southeastern UniversityBen Mitchell - 2010 - working in sales at CryoLife.Jonathan Parker - 2010 - Senior Chemical Technician at Columbian Chemicals Company.Harshad Patel - 2010 - Pharmacy student at Sullivan University Michele Razumov - 2010 - Ph.D. Candidate & Research Assistant GA Tech Krystle Roberts - 2010 - Accepted to Franklin Pierce Law SchoolIsrael Scott - 2010 - Ph.D. student at UGAVictoria Sumner - 2010 - student in Master in Public Health at Emory UniversityJo Wilson - 2010 - Working as Research Specialist Emory Univ. School of MedicineMandy Basaly - 2009 - Second year student in Optometry School in MemphisZuzana Berrong - 2009 - Ph.D. program at Medical College of GeorgiaScott Burley - 2009 - Graduate student at San Diego State UniversityBrittney Cardon - 2009 - student in Nursing Program at KSUStephanie Hanke - 2009 - Received MS in Cell & Molecular Biology from Tulane UniversityI

Spring 2011 Issue IX Page IX

Chemistry Biochemistry

Alumni

Hilary Herak - 2009 - Ph.D. student at University of WashingtonJamison Jackson - 2009 - Employed by Coca-Cola, & Young Chemists, Georgia Section ACSNikky Keer - 2009 - D.O. student at PCOM GwinnettLewis Kraft - 2009 - Ph.D. student at Vanderbilt University. Phillip McClellan - 2009 - Ph.D. student at University of AkronJohn Macon - 2009 - medical student at Morehouse CollegeEsha Patel - 2009 - Pharmacy student at Union University Chris Pulley - 2009 - MS student at Georgia State UniversityCarol Schumacher - 2009 - student in Emory University Chemistry Ph.D. programJulie Turner - 2009 - Analytical chemist with Air Quality Sciences in Marietta, GA.Steve Valdes - 2009 - Pharmacy student at Mercer University Jennifer Yancey - 2009 - Medical student at Morehouse School of MedicineAmine Faizi - 2008 - Working at FAI, Inc.Danye Fraser - 2008 - Ph.D. Program at University of AlabamaDustin French - 2008- Accepted into Nova Southeastern Medical SchoolAdam Freeman - 2008 - Investigator wiht the FDA in Berkeley, CA.Lindsay Harris - 2008 - Working in Forensic Toxicology with the GBI.Sean Hipps - 2008 -Working for GBI.Brandon Huskins - 2008 - Forensic Scientist with the US ArmyEdwin Kamau - 2008 - Research technician at University of Pittsburgh Biological SciencesAnneMarie Karanja - MBA student at Kennesaw State UniversitySuk Kim - 2008 - Medical student at Medical College of GeorgiaAdam Kleg - 2008 - Working as a compliance officer at Medical Neurogenetics in Atlanta, GA.Ivett Kyriacou - 2008 - Medical student at UAGNatalia Kyriacou - 2008 - Medical student at Mercer University Suzanne Mays - 2008 - Employed at Emory University - Emory Institute for Drug DiscoveryJohn Moffitt - 2008 - MS Univ. of Connecticut, Senior Research Associate at Jole UnlimitedAmber Morris -2008 - Working at Applied Technical Services.Viet Nguyen - 2008 - Accepted into Mercer School of PharmacyMary Rau - 2008 - P.A. student at South UniversityMatthew Rosenberg - 2008 - Ph.D student at University of MemphisKen Staples - 2008 - Ph.D. student at University of Pittsburg.Nickolas Smith - 2008 - Doctor of Pharmacy program at East Tennessee State UniversityCarl St.Louis - 2008 - Chemistry Ph.D. program at University of AlabamaNicole Straub - 2008 - Working as a research technian at AnitoxDeborah Gaddis-Ask - 2007 - Lab supervisor at OPSU Murphy-Brown Water Quality TestingMonir Clark - 2007 - working at CDC

Spring 2011 Issue IX Page X

Chemistry Biochemistry

Alumni

Caroline Cushman - 2007 - Teaching school in Canton, GA.Michael East - 2007 - Grad student at Emory University.Amanda Hess - 2007 - Working at Superior Essex, Inc.Tasia Knapp - 2007 - Chemist at CryoLifeOlawale Olagbende - 2007 - PharmD.program, University of New EnglandNick Patel - 2007 - Working as a Technical Service Engineer/Chemist at Atotech.Sheel Patel - 2007 - Anesthesiology Residency Program at Wake Forest UniversityDennis Pratt - 2007 - student at Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina (ELAM) medical school.Kendall Smart - 2007 - teaching at Kell High School in Cobb CountyLaura Brooks - 2006 - Works in Pharmaceutical Sales at Takeda Pharmaceuticals.Bradley McKinney - 2006 - MS in Health Science, Emergency & Disaster Mgt. from Touro Univ.Allen Stokes - 2006 - Medical student at Mercer University.Ivan Stefanov - 2006 - PhD Research Assistant at Ghent University in Gent, Belgium.April Stevens - 2006 - PhD student at Clark Atlanta University.John Cagle - 2005 - Attending Medical School at GA-PCOM.Kim Kellett Arrowood - 2005 - Working as a lab instructor at Kennesaw State University.Tiffany Bryant - 2005 -Working as a Laboratory Analytical Chemist at Ajay North America LLC.Angela Carmack - 2005 - Working at Deerland Enzymes.Hazem Kanaan - 2005 - Received his D.O. from WV School of Osteopathic Medicine.Ryan Moore - 2005 - Executive VP at ChemLink Laboratories LLC in Kennesaw, GA.Turanza Jackson - 2004 - Received ME, Science Education, Georgia State UniversityNicholas Marshall - 2004 -Received Ph.D from University of Georgia.Ikenna Okpareke - 2004 - Received MD from Albany Medical College in Albany, New York.Kathleen M. White -1999 - Working as a Senior Scientist, Savannah River National Laboratory.Nokuthula Msimanga - 1998 - Received MD from the Medical College of GeorgiaMichael Hawks - 1998 - Received MD from the University of South FloridaGuillermo Ramirez - 1984 - Working as a Facility Manager for Ashland, Inc.

Spring 2011 Issue IX Page XI

Chemistry Biochemistry

Chemists, chemistry, chemistry teaching, and chemistry research and beyond

Traditionally chemistry has been the central science among others like physics, biology and mathematics. With modern technological advances and the need for interdisciplinary collabo-ration, chemistry of chemistry indeed is facing an identity crisis although virtually each and every human activity requires chemistry. Year 2011 is celebrated as the “International Year of Chemistry” by chemists world-wide. The American Chemical Society has 33 technical divi-sions which include environmental chemistry, material science, nano-science, etc. besides traditional organic, inorganic, physical chemistry. When it comes to the Nobel Prize in Chemis-try one question always comes to mind, “Is the Nobel Prize in Chemistry still relevant?” This is an often discussed issue as all modern developments in chemistry and chemistry research are highly dependent on developments in physics, biology and even computer science. Fortunately in the last couple of decades chemistry in academia has broadened its scope by incorporating newly emerging areas such as chemical biology and material science. A biological approach to chemistry has served to unite the traditional sub-disciplines of chemistry. Nearly 20 years ago Science Magazine began naming a “Molecule of the Year”. The word ‘molecule’ is so central to chemistry and it seemed this would be a great acknowledgement of the pivotal position oc-cupied by chemistry in science. In the 1989 the first choice of molecule of the year was DNA polymerase, a molecule which propels the polymerase chain reaction and allows copying of DNA. Understanding of DNA polymerase revolutionized biology. In 1991 ‘Buckminsterfullerene, C60’ and in 1992 ‘Nitric Oxide, NO’ were the molecules of choice. The latter one was a surpris-ing choice as it is so simple and common and chemists rarely give it a second thought outside the undergraduate classroom. However, once again credit went to biology as NO’ is produced in living systems and it is crucial for signaling inside living cells. As the term “molecule” is so closely associated with chemistry it seems inadequate to symbolize broader advances in sci-ence. There is no doubt that chemistry has been an entertaining and captivating subject when it comes to demonstrations producing light, sound, cold or hot flames etc. for beginners. It cer-tainly is engaging in terms of visual demonstrations, however underneath this image the subject is viewed as intimidating in its detail by most high school and college students. If we ask the question in a classroom full of high school students, “How many of you do not like chemistry?”, the response would probably be a sea of hands. A common perception among high school seniors and sadly freshmen college students is that chemistry is an unpopular subject. In order improve its popularity the major challenge for high school and college teachers is to impress on students the broad view of the discipline as exemplified by Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling. He had an outstanding career from quantum mechanics to crystallography to molecular biol-ogy. Atoms, molecules and structures were always at the core of his heart but he extended his interest to immunology and medicine. In recent years in the academic arena the quote of Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffman, “Academia is stogy and stuck in disciplines” has been disproved by interdisciplinary research in both primarily undergraduate institutes (PUI) and primarily research institutes (PRI). (Written by: Dr. Bharat Baruah)

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Chemistry Biochemistry

Chemical Education

Interested in Teaching Chemistry?

Kennesaw State, in partnership with Georgia Tech, and through a grant from the National Science Foundation has created two new Robert Noyce Track II programs to recruit and retain teacher leaders in physics and chemistry. These programs are specially designed for STEM professionals looking to become 9-12 physics or chemistry teachers as well as cur-rent teachers wanting to improve their skills as teachers of physics or chemistry.Noyce Track II for Teaching Fellows is designed for professionals in STEM (science, tech-nology, engineering, and mathematics) fields who are interested in enrolling in the Master of Arts in Teaching Program for Physics and Chemistry at Kennesaw State. Noyce Track II for Master Teaching Fellows is designed for experienced physics and chem-istry teachers who are interested in pursuing a professional development program to im-prove their teaching skills. Both programs offer a maximum of $10,000 a year for the five years of the program for a total of $50,000 maximum per recipient. Applications are currently being received for the start of the spring 2012 semester.

For more information on the Noyce Track II programs, contact:

Dr. Greg Rushton Nancy OverleyProgram Director & Associate Professor or Program Coordinator678-797-2046 770 794-7635grushton@kennesaw.edu noverley@kennesaw.edu

then check out the

Robert Noyce Track II ProgramsSponsored by the National Science Foundation