Faculty and Staff
Faculty
Anderson, Mary, PhD, Associate Professor
PhD in Biochemistry, Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Sciences
BA in Chemistry, Hollins College
Office: SRC 104N
Lab: SRC 120
Phone: 940-898-2564
Email: MAnderson3@twu.edu
Recent Publications
Primary Teaching Area: Biochemistry
Research Interests: My research team study enzymes, mainly the homodimeric glutathione synthetase, important in the biosynthesis of the body’s most important natural antioxidant, glutathione. Experimental and computational techniques are integrated to understand how this key enzyme works. Glutathione protects against many things, including toxins and aging. Diseases such as HIV, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are associated with glutathione deficiencies. My research team comprised of undergraduate and graduate students work on increasing knowledge of protein-protein interactions, designing better enzymes and therapies for glutathione deficiency.
Beatty, John, PhD, Assistant Professor
Office: SRC 104G
Lab: SRC 120
Phone: 940-898-2198
Email: JBeatty@twu.edu
Britt, Mark, PhD, Professor
PhD in Chemistry, University of Oregon
BS in Chemistry, Millsaps College
Office: ASSC 337
Phone: 940-898-2566
Email: MBritt@twu.edu
Recent Publications
Primary Teaching Area: Physical Biochemistry
Research Interests: Our research investigates the role played by the bulk enzyme structure in the enzyme catalytic event. Specifically, we are testing a hypothesis, the Shifting Specificity Model, to explain enzyme catalysis generally. Our experiments involve kinetic and thermodynamic measurements of interactions of enzymes with catalytically relevant ligands.
Gill, Jack T., PhD, Professor Emeritus
PhD in Organic Chemistry, Mississippi State University
BS in General Science, Chemistry, Mississippi State University
Email: JGill@twu.edu
Primary Teaching Area: General Chemistry
Research Interests: Chemical Education
Jones, Richard C., PhD, Associate Professor
PhD in Curriculum and Instruction-Science, Texas A&M University
MAT in Geology, University of Texas at Dallas
BA in Geology, West Virginia University
Office: ASSC 335
Phone: 940-898-2557
Email: RJones2@twu.edu
Primary Teaching Area: Science and Science Education
Research Interests: Science Education
Li, Yunxiang, PhD, Lecturer
Office: SRC 104L
Lab: SRC 120
Phone: 940-898-2296
Email: YLi7@twu.edu
Research Interests: The energy coupling and catalytic mechanism of ATP synthase. Our research aims to illustrate how ATP synthase plays a role in cell signaling pathways and how defects in this enzyme are related to human diseases.
Maguire, Cynthia, Senior Lecturer
MS in Chemistry, Texas Woman's University
MS in Biology, Texas Woman's University
BS in Medical Technology, Central State University, Edmond OK
Office: ASSC 337
Phone: 940 898-2563
Email: CMaguire@twu.edu
Primary Teaching Area: Science core courses and general chemistry.
Research Interests: Science education and sustainability issues, particularly water. I want to know more about how TWU science core courses can improve science learning among non-science majors. Several of our SCI prefix courses follow the SENCER guidelines, which are designed to generate better retention of science knowledge. Our work is partially supported by grants from the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement.
Mirsaleh-Kohan, Nasrin, PhD, Associate Professor
PhD in Physics, University of Tennessee
MS in Physics, Bowling Green State University
BS in Physics, University of Tehran, Iran
Office: SRC 104K
Lab: SRC 120
Phone: 940-898-2035
Email: NMirsalehkohan@twu.edu
Primary Teaching Area: Physics
Research Interests: Interaction of anticancer drugs with DNA.
In most cancer treatments chemotherapeutic drugs are combined with radiation therapy. Clinical studies demonstrate concomitant treatment with anticancer drugs and radiotherapy often leads to a higher rate of survival and local tumor control. However, the nature of interaction of these drugs with DNA is not very well understood. The goal of our research group is to develop a spectroscopic model to understand the nature of interaction of anticancer drugs with DNA employing surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). SERS, a phenomenon that occurs on a nanoscale-roughened metallic surface, has attracted considerable attention for both in vitro and in vivo medical diagnostics. Our group uses laser spectroscopic techniques such as Raman and SERS along with theoretical calculations to examine and interpret the interaction of anticancer drugs with DNA at the molecular level.
Peebles, Lynda, PhD, Senior Lecturer
PhD in Physical Chemistry, University of North Texas
BS in Chemistry, Harding University
Office: ASSC 331
Phone: 940-898-2556
Email: LPeebles@twu.edu
Primary Teaching Area: Introductory Chemistry, Introduction to Organic and Physiological Chemistry, Physical Chemistry
Research Interests: Chemical Education
Petros, Robby, PhD, Assistant Professor
Office: SRC 104J
Lab: SRC 120
Phone: 940-898-2566
Email: RPetros@twu.edu
Research Interests: Nanoparticle Therapeutics, Synthesis (Organic, Inorganic, Hybrid Materials), Stimuli-Responsive Chemistries, Cellular Targeting Strategies, Green Chemistry, Discipline-Based Education Research
Rawashdeh-Omary, Manal, PhD, Professor
PhD in Inorganic Chemistry, University of Maine
BS in Chemistry, Yarmouk University
Office: SRC 104I
Lab: SRC 120
Phone: 940-898-2565
Lab Phone: 940-898-2477
Email: MOmary@twu.edu
Primary Teaching Area: Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry
Research Interests: Synthesis and characterization of novel new molecular materials, including metallopolymers and small-molecule transition metal and lanthanide complexes that have the potential for being used in applications such as: Polymer light-emitting diodes, PLEDs, Solar energy conversion (Organic Photovoltaics, OPVs), Probes for biological systems, Optical sensors for environmental pollutants
Riggs, Charles, PhD, Professor
PhD in Chemistry, Oklahoma State University
BS in Chemistry and Mathematics, Southwestern State College, OK
Office: ASSC 328
Lab: OMB 404B
Phone: 940-898-2670
Email: CRiggs@twu.edu
Salazar, Gustavo A., PhD, Assistant Professor
Office: SRC 104H
Lab: SRC 120
Email: GSalazar2@twu.edu
Research Interests: 1. Chemical recycling of polycarbonate found in electronic waste (e-waste) employing environmental-friendly methodologies such as microwave-assisted alcoholysis and photodegradation. 2. Systematic collection and analysis of microplastics in urban soil and water using spectroscopic (IR & Raman) and thermoanalytical (DSC & TGA) techniques to pursue microplastics pollution's remediation.
Sheardy, Richard, PhD, Professor and Head of the TWU Division of Chemistry & Biochemistry
PhD in Organic Chemistry
MS in Chemistry
BS in Chemistry
Office: SRC 104F
Office Phone: 940-898-2551
Lab: SRC 120
Lab Phone: 940-898-2547
Email: RSheardy@twu.edu
Primary Teaching Area: Biochemistry
Research Interests: Our research focuses on the conformational properties of nucleic acids: conformation, conformational transitions, ligand binding and the thermodynamics associated with conformation, conformational transitions and binding. We are primarily interested in how sequence context and environmental conditions influence these properties. We use a variety of biophysical techniques such as UV/Vis and circular dichroism spectroscopies, differential scanning calorimetry and isothermal titration calorimetry.
Although the Watson-Crick model of DNA as a right-handed double helical structure stands as the primary conformation in how we think about DNA, we now know that DNA is highly polymorphic: (A) DNA can exist as a single strand, duplex, triplex, quadruplex or even multiplex; (B) the duplex can either be right-handed of left-handed; and, (C), DNA can be sculpted into unusual higher order structures. Ultimately, the conformation and associated conformational properties of a segment of DNA is determined not only by its sequence context but also by the environmental conditions (i.e., temperature, pH, identity of counter ions and their concentrations, etc) under which it is prepared. Of particular interest recently are the structures formed from G-rich DNAs designated as quadruplexes. DNA sequences that have islands of G2-4 separated by 1 to 4 A or T bases can form a rich library of secondary structures with different molecularities, strand orientations, and guanine base conformation (i.e., syn or anti). Thus, we are investigating the structure, stability and ligand binding of DNA quadruplexes.
Taylor, Alana Presley, Visiting Lecturer
Office: ASSC 332
Phone 940-898-2298
Email: ATaylor34@twu.edu
Staff
Hawkins, Courtney, Administrative Assistant
Office: SRC 104
Phone: 940-898-2550
Email: CHawkins@twu.edu
Jeffrey, Chris, Laboratory Services Supervisor
Office: ASSC 235
Phone: 940-898-2552
Email: CJeffrey1@twu.edu
Mears, Matt, Laboratory Technician IV
Email: JMears1@twu.edu
Page last updated 8:54 PM, August 28, 2021