Tammy J. Dwyer, Ph.D.  Office: ST375

Department Chair   

Phone: (619) 260-4030

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.

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

Phone: (619) 260-4792

Email: bolender@sandiego.edu

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.

Mary K. Boyd, Ph.D.   Office: FH114

Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Phone: (619) 260-4545

Email:  mboyd@sandiego.edu

Mary K. Boyd was appointed Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in July 2008.

Research Interest: Organic photochemistry, including the development of novel photocleavable protecting groups and carbocation photochemistry.

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.

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.

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

Phone: (619) 260-6882

Email: ddehaan@sandiego.edu

On sabbatical until August 2009.

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.

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

On sabbatical until January 2009.

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.

Kimberly I Matulef, Ph.D.  Office: ST489 

Phone: (619) 260-4031

Email: kmatulef@sandiego.edu

Research Interests:  Our lab is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of chloride transport across cell membranes.  This process is necessary for proper function of our brain, muscles, kidneys, and bones.  We use a combination of genomics, molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and electrophysiology to explore the similarities and differences between different chloride transport proteins.

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.

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.

Sam Abbas, Ph.D.  Office: ST351  

Phone: (619) 260-2246

Email: sabbas@sandiego.edu

Dr. Abbas teaches Organic Chemistry Labs.

Farhad Assad, M.S.  Office: ST376  

Phone: (619) 260-2180

Email: farhada@sandiego.edu

Mr. Assad teaches General Chemistry Lab and Chemistry and Society.

Sarah Axford, M.S.  Office: ST351  

Phone: (619) 260-2246

Email: saxford@sandiego.edu

Mrs. Axford teaches Organic Chemistry Lab.

Hailey Adams, M.S.   Office: ST440  

Phone: (619) 260-4781

Email: haileyadams@sandiego.edu

Mrs. Adams teaches Physical Sciences for K-8 Teaching and General Chemistry Lab.

Margaret Daley, Ph.D.  Office: ST440  

Phone: (619) 260-7512

Email: mdaley@sandiego.edu

Dr. Daley teaches General Chemistry and DNA, Science & Technology.

Amer El-Batta, Ph. D.   Office: ST382  

Phone: (619) 260-6882

Email: aelbatta@sandiego.edu

Dr. El-Batta teaches Organic Chemistry Lab.

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.

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.

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.

Staff & Administrators

Helene Citeau, Ph.D.  Office: ST446  

Instrument Specialist

Phone: (619) 260-2920

Email: heleneciteau@sandiego.edu

Dr. Citeau 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.

Sharon Ferguson   Office: ST487

Laboratory Technician

Phone: (619) 260-7935

Email: sferguson@sandiego.edu

Tammy Gillespie   Office: ST306  

Chemistry Assistant

Phone: (619) 260-7697

Email:  tgillespie@sandiego.edu

Danny Rillera  Office: ST490  

Laboratory Technician

Phone: (619) 260-4029

Email: drillera@sandiego.edu

Alnelis Rodriguez   Office: ST351  

Laboratory Technician

Phone: (619) 260-4296

Email: arodriguez@sandiego.edu

Mia White  Office: ST374  

Executive Assistant

Phone: (619) 260-4513

Fax: (619) 260-2211

Email: mia.white@sandiego.edu