Faculty Bios
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Dr. Franklin Chen
Associate Professor / Advisor
Physical Chemist
Education:- Undergraduate - Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ph.D. - Chemistry, Princeton University
Research interests:- Applications of Computing Algebra in Physical Chemistry Teaching
- Mesoporous and Microporous Materials
- Quantum Chemistry of Colors
- Fingerprint Lifting, Preservation and Development
- Ultrasonic Stimulation of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Treatment of Wood for The Extraction of Hemicellulose
Dr. Warren Johnson
Associate Professor / Advisor
Biochemist
Education:- Ph.D. - Biochemistry, University of Iowa
Research interests:-
Currently my main research interest is in isolating catabolite modulator factor (CMF), a global gene regulatory small molecule (molecular mass < 1000g) that is heat stable from the E. coli. When CMF is added to cultures of E. coli, it antagonizes the effect of cAMP on gene expression. Early work on CMF was done by Ullmann, Tiller and Monod, (1976) and Dessein, Tillier, and Ullmann (1978) and nothing has since been reported.
Currently, work is being done to optimize the growth conditions of E. coli to produce the maximum amount of CMF. Additional improvements need to be developed for the assay for CMF. It is difficult and cumbersome to use our current assay.
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Dr. Julie Lukesh
Associate Professor / Advisor
Organic Chemist
Education:- Ph.D. Organic Chemistry, Marquette University
Research interests:-
My main research interest lies in the synthesis of pharmaceutically active natural products. Students involved in this work will run reactions and purify and characterize products. Our current target is an anti-cancer drug isolated from the fruits and bark of tree.
I am also interested in the development of molecularly imprinted polymers for use in chemical sensors. Students involved in this project will use combinatorial chemistry to optimize reaction conditions. Our current targets are flavonoids because of the health benefits they provide against cancer and heart disease.
Dr. John Lyon
Associate Professor / Advisor
Inorganic Chemist
Education:- Undergraduate - Chemistry, Lehigh University
- Ph.D. - Rutgers University
Research interests:-
Currently, my research interests involve how the surface of different metals function as catalysts for the removal of the chlorine atom from organic compounds. I am currently looking at metals that have been deposited upon carbon surfaces by electrolysis. The conditions used in the electrolysis reaction can produce metal particles with different mesostructures which in turn can demonstrate different catalytic properties. These catalytic materials could one day lead to the production of efficient devices for the treatment of water contaminated with compounds like PCB's and the chloromethanes.
Dr. Michael McIntire
Associate Professor / Advisor
Physical Chemist
Education:- Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, University of California at Riverside
Research interests:-
My research is focused on exploring the dynamics and structure of unique sol-gel materials. Sol-gel chemistry offers a convenient and inexpensive way to make optically transparent silicate glasses formed from room temperature that are of both fundamental and technological interest in material science. Some of the research ideas my group explores are:
- Biogels as optical sensors
- 'Smart windows' incorporating metal nanoparticles
- Water remediation with sol-gels
My group combines the binding potential of chelating agents with the good mechanical properties and a high surface area of silica sol-gels to create low-cost, effective, and regenerable absorbent gels that are capable of heavy metal removal from water.
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Dr. Debra Pearson
Associate Professor
Nutritional Biochemist
Education:- Ph.D. University of California -Davis
Research interests:-
Research interests include the study of the effect of growing conditions on the composition of foods.
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Dr. Nydia Villanueva
Senior Lecturer
Education:- Undergraduate - Silliman University (Philippines)
- M.S. - University of the Philippines
- Ph.D. - University of Connecticut
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Dr. Michael Zorn
Associate Professor & Chair / Advisor
Analytical / Environmental Chemist
Education:- Undergraduate - Chemistry, UW-Green Bay
- Ph.D. - Environmental Chemistry and Technology, UW-Madison
Research interests:- Utilization of catalysis and photocatalysis for conversion of undesirable organic compounds to non-toxic products or for treatment of organic wastes to generate energy.
- Evaluation of anaerobic digestion systems that can be used to convert waste material (food scraps, manure, etc.) to methane or other high value chemical product.
- Extraction of hemicellulose sugars (that can be fermented to ethanol) from wood using supercritical carbon dioxide and sonication technologies.
- Development of sensors for environmental and biomedical applications.
