Biochemistry Faculty Research

My research interests are in the following areas. Sequence dependent structural features of small hairpin loops using thermodynamics, NMR spectroscopy, and molecular modeling. Identification of RNA secondary and tertiary structure using SHAPE. Investigation of metal ion binding to base pair mismatches using MALDI-TOF MS, surface plasmon resonance, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopy. Structure of RNA structures involved with neural and muscular degenerative diseases.

My research interests involve the application of analytical and synthetic organic chemistry methodologies to the study of ecological chemical interactions found in nature.

My research focus lies in the areas of synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry.  Specifically, we are interested in further exploring the binding of the anticancer compound colchicine with the protein tubulin.  Our group is focusing on synthesizing colchicine-like analogs that will be used in SAR studies.  These analogs will potentially shed additional light on the colchicine-tubulin interaction.  More importantly, the information obtained from these studies may provide new leads in cancer chemotherapy.

Our research group is a molecular chemistry group which designs and synthesizes molecules that have specific function such as small molecule activation, molecular transformation and catalysis. Our research approach prioritizes on students' training in synthesis, spectroscopy and research to prepare them for their future career.

Analytical/environmental chemistry