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Faculty and Staff

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty

James P. Bolender, Ph.D. Office: ST380

Phone: (619) 260-4792

Department Chair

Research Interests: Our lab explores recognition between chiral molecules using laser and energy transfer techniques. We also explore the pollution impacts of a fish cannery on Magdalena Bay in Baja, California Sur.

Christopher J. A. Daley, Ph.D. Office: ST378

Phone: (619) 260-4033

Email: cjdaley@sandiego.edu

Research Interests: Our lab designs and synthesizes synthetic analogues of biologically relevant metal containing active sites, particularly the nitrile hydratase family of enzymes. Additionally, we are also interested in the development of new chiral ligands for use in metal-mediated asymmetric catalysis.

David O. De Haan, Ph.D. Office: ST382

Phone: (619) 260-6882

Email: ddehaan@sandiego.edu

Research Interests: Our lab explores the formation of smog haze particles. We mix organic gases and particles in a giant teflon bag to find out when, and why, the gases stick to the particles. We then test our reaction theories using instrumental measurements on bulk samples.

Robert N. Dutnall, Ph.D. Office: ST491

Phone: (619) 260-7527

Email: rdutnall@sandiego.edu

Research Interests: Our lab is interested in proteins involved in the structure and regulation of DNA packaging in eukaryotic cells. We are currently studying a histone modifying enzyme involved in gene silencing and DNA repair, and developing improved methods to produce histone proteins using bacterial expression methods. We use a variety of biochemical and genetic methods to explore structure, activity and function of these proteins.

Tammy J. Dwyer, Ph.D. Office: ST375

Phone: (619) 260-4030

On sabbatical June 2007 - August 2008

Email: tdwyer@sandiego.edu

Research Interests: Our lab uses NMR spectroscopy to study structure and function in a variety of chemical systems including nucleic acids, modified DNA duplexes and drug-DNA complexes. We also use NMR to study kinetics and dynamic behavior in small organic molecules.

Thomas R. Herrinton, Ph.D. Office: HC328

Phone: (619) 260-4553

Email: herrinton@sandiego.edu

Dr. Herrinton is currently serving as the Associate Provost.

Peter M. Iovine, Ph.D. Office: ST441

Phone: (619) 260-4028

Email: piovine@sandiego.edu

Iovine Research Website Click Here

Research Interests: Our lab focuses mainly on the synthesis and characterization of boron containing organic materials, particularly a class of molecules termed boroxines that show great promise in material science applications. Additionally, we are interested in developing synthetic methodology for alkyne coupling reactions as well as investigating small molecule chemoprotectants.

Jeremy Kua, Ph.D. Office: ST381

Phone: (619) 260-7970

e-mail: see website.

Research Interests: Our lab applies computational chemistry to study the thermodynamics, kinetics and mechanisms of self-assembly. Current systems being explored include salt solutions, metal-benzene clusters and boroxines.

Mitch R. Malachowski, Ph.D. Office: ST486

Phone: (619) 260-4032

Email: malachow@sandiego.edu

Research Interests: Our lab synthesizes organic ligands that are capable of binding to metal ions and then studies the properties of the metal complexes. These complexes are of interest as models for metalloproteins or as coordination solids.

Stephen A. Mills, Ph.D. Office: ST485

Phone: (619) 260-7564

Email: smills@sandiego.edu

Research Interests: Our lab is interested in the role of metals in proteins. Two of the proteins we are currently studying are the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) and a copper amine oxidase (HPAO). We use tools such as enzyme kinetics, gel-shift assays and various spectroscopic techniques to evaluate the effect of replacing the native metal with another metal.

Leigh A. Plesniak, Ph.D. Office: ST489

Phone: (619) 260-4031

Email: leigh@sandiego.edu

Research Interests: Our lab uses NMR spectroscopy to study peptide and protein structure, enzyme function and protein:lipid interactions. One of the systems currently under investigation is a class of peptides known as the hunter-killer peptides.

Deborah C. Tahmassebi, Ph.D. Office: ST439

Phone: (619) 260-7454

Email: debbiet@sandiego.edu

Research Interests: Our lab is interested in molecular structure and architecture. Two current projects include the synthesis and study of supramolecular host complexes and non-natural DNA nucleosides.

Adjunct Faculty and Staff

	Farhad Assad, M.S. Office: ST376 Phone: (619) 260-2180 Email: farhada@sandiego.edu Mr. Assad teaches General Chemistry Lab and Chemistry and Society.
	Helene Citeau, Ph.D. Office: ST446 Phone: (619) 260-2920 Email: heleneciteau@sandiego.edu Dr. Citeau is our Instrument Specialist. She is responsible for the maintenance of all our materials analysis instruments (NMR, FTIR, GC/MS, AA, UV/Vis, etc.) and ensures that the department keeps up-to-date with the latest developments in scientific instrumentation.
	Margaret Daley, Ph.D. Office: ST440 Phone: (619) 260-7512 Email: mdaley@sandiego.edu Dr. Daley teaches General Chemistry and DNA, Science & Technology.
	Debbie Finocchio, M.S. Office: ST379 Phone: (619) 260-2276 Email: debbief@sandiego.edu Mrs. Finocchio teaches General Chemistry, Chemistry and Society and coordinates the General Chemistry Labs.
	Ian Ball, Ph.D. Office: ST 376 Phone: (619) 260-7972 Email: ijball@sandiego.edu Dr. Ball teaches General Chemistry and General Chemistry labs.
	Kelli S. Khuong, Ph.D. Office: ST440 Phone: (619) 260-7971 Email: khuong@sandiego.edu Dr. Khuong teaches Organic Chemistry and coordinates the Organic Chemistry labs.
	Danny Rillera Office: ST490 Phone: (619) 260-4029 Email: drillera@sandiego.edu Mr. Rillera is the Laboratory Technician. He is responsible for laboratory "set-ups" and "dismounts".
	Bridget Salzameda, Ph.D. Office: ST440 Phone: (619) 260-7703 Email: bsalzameda@sandiego.edu Dr. Salzameda teaches General Chemistry Lab, Chemistry and Society, and Biochemistry Lab. Her research interests include using fluoresence, mass spectrometry, NMR and other methods to study the interaction between potential anti-cancer therapeutics and synthetic cellular membranes.
	Julia Schafer, Ph.D. Office: ST487 Phone: (619) 260-8871 Email: jschafer@sandiego.edu Dr. Schafer teaches General Chemistry Lectures.
	Mia White Office: ST374 Phone: (619) 260-4513 Fax: (619) 260-2211 Email: mia.white@sandiego.edu Ms. White is the Chemistry & Biochemistry Executive Assistant. She is also the Co-Writer/Editor for "The SPIN".