Chemistry and Biochemistry News

Biochemistry Senior Robert Chen (top, center) serves as a Peer Facilitator in SoLVE for Organic Chemistry I. Orgo students come to SoLVE to engage in group problem solving activities based on the material being covered in class. Robert was chosen by Mrs. Lisa Fridman, SoLVE Center Coordinator, to work with the students to aid them in completing problems. His role is not to tutor the students; instead, Robert facilitates the sessions by providing the students with probing questions to get them to solve the problems with their group. This method of promoting active learning has proven to be very successful in helping students learn.

Chris Stemple (BS Chemistry 2011) is working as a Chemist at Simpson Strong-Tie, a Maryland- based supplier of adhesives, coatings, patching mortars, and sealants. He is working in R&D/Engineering on product development/improvement as well as developing quality control standards and methods. In this photo, Chris and a co-worker are investigating the settings on a new viscometer which his company just purchased.

Stephanie Adams (BS Chemistry 2011) provided an update on what she’s doing. She is a Chemist at Global Lab Services in Wilson, North Carolina working with instruments to analyze tobacco, harvested products, wipe samples and finished products for the presence of crop protection agents. In addition, she is finishing her Master’s degree in Biomedical Science at East Carolina University (ECU). For her Master’s, Stephanie is working in a physical biochemistry lab at the East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute working on thermodynamic linkage analysis of the allosteric regulation of pyruvate carboxylase activity. In her own words, “All-in-all, I’ve been a very busy person the last 3 years.” This picture is Stephanie’s research group at ECU- they like to have fun with lab photos! (Stephanie is in the back left.)

Chemistry senior Heather Drake is conducting research this semester with Dr. Tim Dwyer. Heather is studying the kinetics of two malate dehydrogenase enzymes, MDH1 and MDH2. She is testing to see if inhibitors that play a role in cancer chemotherapy inhibit one or both enzymes. Heather is enjoying her research experience this semester. She has participated in many internships and research experiences in order to gain experience in a wide variety of settings.

Last week, Dr. Dawn Ward presented her research on finding compounds to target the Hepatitus C virus at the 42^nd National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Conference in Orlando, Florida. At the conference, in addition to presenting her research, Dr. Ward was able to visit many other research presentations and exhibitors from industry, government and academia. Dr. Ward is pictured above giving her presentation and also with NOBCChE President, Talitha Hampton-Mayo (left), a Program Manager at AstraZeneca.