Issue: XISpring 2012

Spring 2012 Issue XIPage I

Welcome to our newest faculty member, Dr. Chris W. Alexander. He received his B.S. in chemistry from Wofford College (1988) and received his Ph.D. from Clemson University (1993) in organic chemistry. After completing a post-doctoral research study at Emory University (1995), he joined the Department of Chemistry at the College of Charleston as an assistant professor where he taught organic chemistry and had an active, externally funded undergraduate research program. In 2000, he changed careers and joined the new drug discovery R&D team at Reddy US Therapeutics (a former division of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, India) in Norcross, GA, where he worked for nine years as a medicinal chemist and supervised a team of ju-nior scientists synthesizing novel molecules as potential drug candidates for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, e.g., atherosclerosis, and metabolic disorders. Ad-ditionally, he is a co-inventor on several medicinal chemis-try based patents related to this area of research. In 2009, Dr. Alexander was given the opportunity to move back to academia and he joined KSU a temporary assistant professor where he has taught organic chemistry I & II lecture and laboratory classes for the past 3 years. He is looking forward to joining KSU’s Department of Chem-istry in July 2012 as a tenure-track assistant professor. He will continue to teach organic chemistry and plans to es-tablish a research program to train undergraduate students in advanced skills in chemical methods and synthesis. His current research interest is the development of new meth-ods for the synthesis of acylphosphonates. His research will have a medicinal chemistry focus targeting the synthesis of small organophosphorus molecules that have potential biological activity, e.g., anti-microbial agents.

Our newest faculty member, Dr. Chris Alexander

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Chemistry Biochemistry

Dr. Abbott-Lyon’s laboratory aims to better understand reactions occurring between small gas-phase molecules and the solid surfaces of metal phosphides and metal oxides. These systems are applicable to astrochemistry in the outer solar system and to some types of industrial cataly-sis. In order to obtain information about reaction kinetics, Dr. Abbott’s research group will be us-ing a custom built experimental apparatus. This ultrahigh vacuum chamber will have an internal pressure of approximately 1 x 10-10 torr, in order to minimize the contribution from background gases, and it will be able to accommodate both powder and foil solids. Ryan Livingston, one of Dr. Abbott’s CHEM 2050 students, summarized his research experience this past semester. “In the beginning of the semester, we had a rough idea of how the chamber would work and what components needed to be made. However, I did not realize how involved the actual design process would be. Dr. Abbott had a very detailed and practical approach to building the chamber. She knew what the goal of the project was and how we were going to meet that goal. My job was to design, draw, and model every piece of this vacuum chamber. We began mating parts together in a computer-aided-design (CAD) program. The use of the CAD program was essential to the design of this vacuum chamber be-cause the complexity of the model would be nearly impossible to draw by hand. We also found many part interferences in the early design phase of the project that forced us to change the overall layout. We may have never noticed these interferenc-es without the CAD software. The most challenging part of the de-sign phase of the vacuum chamber was the sample holder. The requirements of the sample holder included the largest sample surface area possible, the ability to heat and cool the sample while being as disconnected as possible from the chamber itself, which would act as a heat sink, and to be rotatable within the chamber. Even though these three main requirements don’t sound like much, they created an extensive problem in terms of design and manufacturing cost. Over the period of the semester, we designed several different versions until finally deciding upon a design, which was the best compromise in terms of cost and function.

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty encourages student research...

Spring 2012 Issue Xi Page III

BiochemistryChemistry

Five KSU students (Ariell Durden, Jean-Francois Regis Toure, Richard Reeves, Matthew Booher, and Quinton Meisner) and two faculty (Drs. Gabriel and Koether) went to Mississippi State University from April 12 - 14, 2012 to participate in the 44th Annual American Chemical Society Southeast Undergradu-ate Research Conference. This was the first time that the KSU Chemistry and Biochemistry department used the College Van to go to a conference. Hope-fully, the first of many.

Another major challenge of the project was to position and design the chamber mounting assembly to work in conjunction with the infrared spectrometer already in place and in use in the lab. We were limited in the physical working space available as well as mounting locations. Much like the sample holder design, we went through many different ways of positioning the chamber until finally designing a solution that satisfied all of the requirements. The entire process of design to manufacturing and testing has truly taught me to think about the big picture when designing parts. The most enjoyable part of this project was to come up with creative and unique solutions to problems in design and ultimately to minimize cost without affecting the func-tionality of the part. I was able to play an important role in a new and exciting research project that Kennesaw State University hasn’t had before and for that I will always be grateful.”

Students are encouraged to participate in Regional

and National Conferences

Faculty Publications

Chemistry Biochemistry

Spring 2012 Issue XI Page IV

Baruah, B.; Surin, A. Interaction of liposome-encapsulated cisplatin with biomolecules. J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 2012, DOI 10.1007/s00775-012-0907-y.

Madan, J.; Baruah, B.; Nagaraju, M.; Abdalla, M. O.; Yates, C.; Turner, T.; Rangari, V.; Hamelberg, D.; Aneja, R. Molecular Cycloencapsulation Augments Solubility and Improves Therapeutic Index of Brominated Noscapine in Prostate Cancer Cells. Mol. Pharmaceutics. 2012, 9, 1470-1480.

J. N. Hankins, M. Gouws, A. Mahajer, E. S. Kim, K. P. Gwaltney, and J. Haseltine*, “On the sol-volysis kinetics of amidoesters derived from beta-aminoalcohols.” Tetrahedron Lett. 2012, 53 2450-2453.

Huggins Z. Msimanga, and Gregory P. Everhart, “Identification of a Suspicious Drug byUsing Spectroscopic Techniques: A Forensic Analytical Chemistry Project”, Spectroscopy Letters, 45, 161–166, (2012).

Noteworthy News

Brandon Casey Seda, 2004 KSU Biochemistry Graduate, a Merck-AAAS Scholar, graduated May 11th, 2012 with his Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from Clemson University. Brandon is fulfilling the expectations of the Merck-AAAS Grant awarded to Drs. Koether and Powers. He did research at the Chemistry/Biology Interface both as an undergraduate and as a graduate student. Congratulations Brandon!

Comments of recent graduates...

BiochemistryChemistry

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Hello, I'm Daniel Dong, a recent Kennesaw State University graduate with a bachelor degree in chemistry. Currently, sitting in Starbucks a day after my graduation ceremony. I transferred to KSU from Georgia Highlands College at 2010 Fall. At the time, I was focusing on to phar-macy school admission. I was on a wait list for a pharmacy school even during the first week of school at KSU, so I was not really excited about attending KSU. However during the the first semester, I was obsessed from the academic opportunities pro-vided from KSU. In fact, I decided not to consider pharmacy admission during my junior year and concentrate on exploring upper classes of chemistry and biology. I have enjoyed the time at KSU and developed inside and out. I thought about why am I studying chemistry and what I want to do with it. At the time, all of these thoughts were giving me a hard time but now I have a better picture of my opportunities and goals to achieve. I will be attending at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine at 2012 Fall working toward a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Using the Peer Leading experience from KSU, I am planning to have an career in science education during pharmacy school, and i am anticipating this summer to receive training from The Princeton Review as an MCAT Instructor. Also, I am in contact with an Air Force recruiter hoping to receive scholarship and become a captain This opportunity can lead me to another level of opportunities as federal drug regulating agencies. Absolutely, there is many opportunities that I have not enjoyed at KSU, but I do not regret to leave because I know how much I have grown here; I view differently and think differently, and it is time to move on.

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Chemistry Biochemistry

Alumni

Emily Rye - 2012 - Accepted into Emory University Ph.D. ProgramMitchell Tuttle - 2012 - Accepted into Emory University Graduate ProgramElizabeth Bennett - 2011 - Accepted into Chemistry Ph.D. Program at Georgia State UniversityJohnna Bronny - 2011 - works at Bioburden Department of WuXiEric Hoffer - 2011 - Accepted into Emory University Ph.D. Program in Biomedical ScienceSergey Isarov - 2011 - Research fellow at CDC in AtlantaJoshua Francis - 2011 - Accepted into Emory University Cell & Developmental Biology ProgramMarcus Harrison - 2011 - Works as a Forensic Special Chemist with Aegis Laboratories in Nashville, TNRobert Kuruvilla - 2011 - Enrolled in Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical Engineering at New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNicole McAllister - 2011 - MAT student at Kennesaw State UniversityGary Richoux - 2011 - Enrolled in Chemistry Ph.D. Program at Virginia TechTimothy Routh - 2011 - works as a Projects Chemist at Ajay North AmericaClarisse Valdivieso - 2011 - finishing second degree at Kennesaw State UniversityGerhard Kummerow - 2010 - Accepted into UCLA ‘s Ph.D. program in Inorganic ChemistryBen Mitchell - 2010 - working in sales at CryoLife.Jonathan Parker - 2010 - Senior Chemical Technician at Columbian Chemicals Company.Harshad Patel - 2010 - Pharmacy student at Sullivan UniversityMichele Razumov - 2010 - Ph.D. Student & Research Assistant GA TechKrystle 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 KSU

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Chemistry Biochemistry

Alumni

Stephanie Hanke - 2009 - Received MS in Cell & Molecular Biology from Tulane University 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 UniversityChris Pulley - 2009 - MS student at Georgia State UniversityCarol Schumacher - 2009 - student in Emory University Chemistry Ph.D. programJulie Turner - 2009 - Chemistry Technician at Applied Technical ServicesSteve Valdes - 2009 - Pharmacy student at Mercer UniversityJennifer 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 - Accepted into MS program in Computer Science at Georgia SouthwesternSean 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 Georgia Adam 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 UniversitySuzanne 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 Memphis

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Chemistry Biochemistry

Alumni

Ken 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 Caroline Cushman - 2007 - Teaching school in Canton, GA.Michael East - 2007 - Grad student at Emory University.Amanda Hess Owens - 2007 - Working at Novelis Global Research & Technology CenterTasia 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 - Received M.D. from 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.Brandon Casey Seda - 2004 - Earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from Clemson University.Swapan Jain - 2001 - Assistant Professor at Bard College, New YorkNokuthula 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.