Biochemistry/Chemistry Research at Stephen F. Austin State University
Dr. Brian Barngrover (Computational/Physical Chemist - barngrovbm@sfasu.edu): Research emphasizes
computational chemistry. Research involves studying thiolate protected noble metal and bimetallic nanoparticles.
Thiolate protected noble metal nanoparticles are of great interest in many applications such as drug delivery and
therapy, catalysts, sensors, electronics, and optics. This research will study the underlying growth mechanism of
noble metal thiolate protected nanoparticles in an effort to understand the driving forces that play key roles in their
growth. Research will parameterized the reactive force fields for the noble metal nanoparticles.
Dr. Russell Franks (Organic Chemist - rjfranks@sfasu.edu): Research interests are in the study of the chemical
and physical properties of biodiesel fuels made from a wide variety of plant- and animal-derived triglyceride
sources. His group is presently studying the use of microwave heating methods to facilitate biodiesel synthesis, the
synthesis of biodiesels made from less-commonly used alcohol sources, and the synthesis and characterization of
biodiesels made from plant-derived feedstocks that are not used for food by humans. Biodiesel samples are
characterized using IR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, GC/MS, viscometry, and bomb calorimetry.
Dr. Alyx Frantzen (Physical Chemist – afrantzen@sfasu.edu): research involves phylloaluminosilicates. These
materials are commonly used as ubiquitous adsorbents, but can also be tailored for use as highly selective
adsorbents. The clays have been modified using amino acids and have been successfully used to separate racemic
mixtures.
Clays are also being exchanged with metalloporphyrins to examine the changes in the
absorption/emission spectra of the macro cycle. While most of Dr. Frantzen’s research involves clays, research is
also being done on the effects of Yaupon, Chinese Tallow, and Chinese privet on surface fuel volatility in the East
Texas Region. These all represent invasive plant species that have been introduced into East Texas. The work
being done with these species will investigate total volatility of these surface fuels in fire models. The volatile
components of each invasive species will be evaluated using oxygen bomb calorimetry, thermal gravimetric
measurements, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
Dr. Darrell Fry (Analytical Chemist – frydr@sfasu.edu): Dr. Fry’s experience and training have fed two
passions in research which he continues to pursue: understanding fluorescent probes molecules, exciting
students about chemistry. In his Ph.D., Dr. Fry worked extensively with fluorescent probe molecules in
hydrophobic environments. He has extended this interest to understanding the interaction between the
chemical microenvironment and the probe molecule. Currently, Dr. Fry is working with fluorescein and
porphyrins. For fluorescein, his goal is to understand fluorescein in different solvent systems.
With this
understanding, some of the limitations of fluorescein as a probe molecule can be overcome. His goals with
the porphyrins are to develop a solid-state fluorescence sensor for various metals in solution. As a college
professor and high school teacher, Dr. Fry has learned the importance of exciting students about learning
chemistry. Currently he is working with college students in developing a series of chemical demonstrations
for younger students. Moreover, he is also working at developing new laboratories for college students.
Dr. Michele Harris (Biochemist - mharris@sfasu.edu): – Dr. Harris’ research is focused on biotransformation
reactions using whole cells on the surface of vegetable strips as the catalyst and pro-chiral ketones as the starting
reagent. Specifically, we have characterized the production of S-1-benzofuran-2-yl-ethanol from benzofuran-2-ylmethylketone using carrot strips. The group has characterized the reaction and is still working on isolating the
functional protein from the surface of the cells. Preliminary studies have shown S-1-benzofuran-2-yl-ethanol
possesses both antifungal and antibacterial properties. More detailed antimicrobial studies are planned. We wish to
explore the biotransformation of other pro-chiral ketones and study their antimicrobial activity as well as try to
purify the R-1-benzofuran-2yl-ethanol to compare the antimicrobial activities of each enantiomer.
Dr. Michael Janusa (Inorganic/Analytical/Environmental Chemist -janusama@sfasu.edu):
research interest focuses on the environmental science areas of water, soil, and air quality involving metals and
anions. Present research involves studying the water quality in Lanana Creek in Nacogdoches, Texas and the
Nacogdoches Surface Water Treatment Plant.
Dr. Richard Langley (Inorganic Chemist – rlangley@sfasu.edu): research focuses on several projects dealing
with the synthesis and characterization of various inorganic materials. In addition, he works in Chemical Education
concerning the development of descriptive inorganic chemistry experiments and experiments for general chemistry.
Other projects are concerned with structural studies on various oxides with the garnet or spinel structure.
Dr. John Moore (Analytical/Chemical Education – jmoore@sfasu.edu): research focuses on chemical education,
especially education of pre-secondary, secondary, and post-secondary.
Dr. Odutayo Odunuga (Biochemist – odunugaoo@sfasu.edu): research focuses on
1)
Using the Ellis van Creveld (EvC) syndrome as a model to study the functions of certain proteins in
muscle, bone and related tissues. The long-term goal of his research is to elucidate the functions of these two genes
and their products during and after development.
2)
Chaperone biology, especially Hsp90–binding proteins, such as the Hsp70/Hsp90 organizing protein (Hop)
and UNC-45, a myosin-targeting Hsp90 co-chaperone linked to cardiac development and cancer.
3)
Studies on inhibition of elastase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that causes common
infections in clinics and hospitals. The aim of his research is to generate crystal complexes of elastase with small
molecule inhibitors for potential therapeutic applications.
The multi-disciplinary approach to his research provides opportunity for students at all levels to learn the concepts
of and techniques used in genetics, biochemistry, molecular, cellular and structural biology.
Dr. Kefa Onchoke (Environmental/Analytical Chemist – onchokekk@sfasu.edu): The multi-pronged research
projects are spread between food chemistry, water chemistry, experimental and computational Chemistry
(spectroscopic studies of environmental pollutants, use of QSAR methods to predict/address experimental results),
and electrochemical studies of environmental toxicants. Current interests are focused on studying environmental
toxicants, mutagens, carcinogens such as nitrated PAHs, particulate matter, nanoparticulates, The water and food
chemistry projects utilize chromatographic (HPLC, ion chromatography, GC-MS) and spectroscopic methods (ICPOES, ICP-MS). The experimental and computational methods investigate physico-chemical properties (and
predictions) that make nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) more mutagenic and/or carcinogenic
than their parent PAHs. Synthesis and spectroscopic methods ( 1H/13C NMR, 2-D NMR methods, FT-infrared, FTRaman, UV-Vis, fluorescence, ion chromatography, HPLC, GC-MS, ICP-OES) and cyclic voltammetry in
conjunction with computational methods are used.
Dr. Matibur Zamadar (Organic Chemist – zamadarmr@sfasu.edu): research interests are in the field of organic
synthesis, photochemistry, and polymer. The group is involved in designing and synthesizing new photosensitizer
molecules for solar energy utilization or biomedical applications. The group is also involved in synthesizing a new
type of catalyst of alkaline earth metals for polymerization of non-activated alkenes. Another area the group is
involved is synthesizing a complexing agent of porphyrin and different chelating agents for the development of new
chemical sensors for toxic metal ions dangerous for living organisms. Students in Dr. Zamadar’s lab learn about
organic synthesis, polymer synthesis and spectroscopic methods such as 1H/13C/31P NMR, UV-visible, fluorescence,
GPC, DSC, TGA, MS, and IR.