EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
SPRING 2011
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY NEWSLETTER
biology, and biochemistry, the central goal of
this research is to understand the enzymes
involved in natural product biosynthesis in
order to generate new compounds with
important biological activities. Jamie was the
recipient of a Provost’s new Faculty Award.
CHEM Expo
The New Mark Jefferson
The new addition to Mark Jefferson was
completed in time for the Winter 2011
semester. Faculty and staff moved their offices
and labs during the fall term exam week, some
to their final locations, but many to temporary
locations that will be for one or two years
depending on where their final locations will
be. In January 2011 there was an open house
that featured the new spherical planetarium as
well as a showcase of some of our new labs.
Many chemistry professors were on hand to
provide demos and learning opportunities for
guests.
Construction is now underway on the
existing building where the basement, first and
second floors are slated to be completed by
the end of August. The entire project is
expected to be completed in 2012.
Welcome New Faculty!
Jamie
Scaglione
joined the Department
of Chemistry in fall
2010 as an Assistant
Professor in the area of
Biochemistry.
Her
research
interests
involve characterizing
microbial
enzymes
responsible for synthesizing natural products.
Through
an
interdisciplinary
approach
encompassing organic chemistry, molecular
Several EMU Chemistry faculty members
took part in the first ever Huron Valley
Chemistry Expo, organized by the local section
of the American Chemical Society. The event,
held at Eagle Crest Conference Center on
October 16, 2010, brought together students
and
professional
chemists
from
the
southeastern Michigan region to share their
experiences and knowledge. Exhibitors
included the EMU Chemistry M.S. program,
Cayman Chemical, US FDA, Michigan State
Police Laboratory, the Detroit Institute of Arts,
NSF International, and the University of
Michigan Chemistry Professional Development
Organization, amongst others. Students – both
graduate and undergraduate – shared
research posters, which were judged by
professional chemists from industry and
academia. A panel discussion during lunch
featured chemists from different levels, from
about-to-graduate Ph.D. students to senior
scientists at Dow Corning. The keynote
address in the afternoon was given by Dr. Tom
Lane, immediate past president of the
American Chemical Society, known throughout
ACS for an inspirational speaking style.
Everyone left the event fired up to get out and
be a part of ACS’s vision for “improving
people’s lives through the transforming power
of chemistry.” T-shirts from the Expo are still
available;
contact Ruth
Ann
Armitage
ACS Huron
Valley Chair,
for
more
information.
(rarmitage@
Dr. Lane, the EMU Chemistry
emich.edu).
Club, and two intruders.
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Heyl-Clegg Wins Research
Award
Three Emeritus Professors
Pass Away
Professor Deborah
Heyl-Clegg was the
recipient of the 2010
Ronald
W.
Collins
Research
II
Distinguished
Faculty
Award. Professor HeylClegg’s
scholarly
activity is focused on
developing peptides (small proteins) with
pharmaceutical applications. These molecules
are small enough to be easily synthesized,
while mimicking the behavior of much larger,
naturally occurring molecules. Specifically: 1.
opiate peptides (for use as non-addictive
analgesics); 2. inhibitors of -amylase enzyme
(to aid in sugar regulation for diabetics); 3.
antimicrobial peptides (to create antibiotics
with less bacterial resistance); 4. amylin
inhibitors (to prevent pancreatic amyloid
formation in diabetics).
Based on work completed during her
seventeen years at EMU, Professor HeylClegg has published thirty articles in
international,
peer-reviewed
biochemical
journals.
There have been forty-five
presentations of her work at conferences. It is
truly a collaborative effort between Professor
Heyl-Clegg and her students. She spends a
tremendous amount of time training her
students and working side-by-side with them in
the lab. Sixty-eight of her students have been
listed as co-authors on publications with
Professor Heyl-Clegg and sixty students have
been co-authors on presentations at regional,
national or international conferences. She has
been the thesis director for 25% of all M.S.
degrees awarded by the department since she
was appointed. Four of her M.S. students
have won the Graduate Dean’s Award for
Research Excellence. Additionally, she has
supervised the Honors thesis work of four
undergraduates (two of whom received Senior
Thesis/Project and Symposium Awards).
Additionally, she has given seven invited
seminars at other universities or meetings
including the fifth annual Leroy B. Townsend
Lectureship in Medicinal Chemistry at the
University of Michigan last May.
We are sad to report that the past year has
seen the passing of several valued long time
members of the EMU Chemistry Department
family.
Dr. Clark Spike, 87,
passed away on May 7. Dr.
Spike came to EMU in 1958,
after working as a research
chemist
at
Ethyl
Corporation.
He became
full professor in 1961, and
served
in
numerous
administrative
positions,
including
chemistry
department head from 1961 to 1977. He
retired in 1983.
His interests included
photography and gardening. Clark and his
wife, Avis Spike, who passed away on
October 8, hosted the
Chemistry Department
picnic for over thirty
years, primarily at their
farm near Manchester.
The Clark and Avis R.
Spike
Chemistry
Research Endowment
was established to
carry on their legacy of
supporting students by
providing funds for
student research during the summer. Dr.
Spike received his bachelor’s degree from
Michigan State Normal College (EMU) and his
Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Giles Carter,
80, died of cancer at
his home in Clemson,
S.C., on Aug. 10. Dr.
Carter came to EMU
in 1967 after fifteen
years at DuPont. He
became full professor
in 1975 and retired in
1990.
Dr. Carter
single-handedly maintained the metallurgical
chemistry program, coordinated a very active
co-operative education program, and was a
driving force behind the creation of the College
of Technology. Dr. Carter was an active
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scholar whose interests included researching
Roman coins and the Shroud of Turin. Dr.
Carter received his bachelor’s degree from
Texas Tech and his Ph.D. from the University
of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Charles
Anderson, 89,
passed
away
on January 20.
Dr.
Anderson
came to EMU in
1955, became
full professor in
1962,
and
taught at EMU
until
his
retirement
in
1987. His wife, Ginny, also taught Chemistry
at EMU for many years. Besides his expertise
in analytical chemistry, Dr. Anderson was
highly committed to students studying the
allied health professions. In 1999, he received
the John W. Porter Distinguished Service
Award from EMU. Dr. Anderson served as a
marshal at commencements for 50 years. He
was an avid traveler and loved the theatre. He
was also extremely active in the Kiwanis Club.
Dr. Anderson received his bachelor’s degree
from Fairmont State College and his Ph.D.
from the Ohio State University.
Rengan gets Advising Award
Professor Rengan was
the
recipient
of
the
inaugural
Graduate
Advising Award given by
the EMU Graduate School.
Rengan
served
as
chemistry
department
graduate coordinator for
more than fifteen years.
Professor
Rengan
distinguished himself as
Graduate Coordinator in the way he cared
about our students. He took care of every
detail to ensure the academic success of each
of our Master’s students, from recruitment and
admission until graduation. When students
had crises in their lives, whether economic or
emotional, they knew they could go to
Professor Rengan for help and support.
The Chemistry of Beer
About 100 people attended the ACS Huron
Valley local section’s first Science Café on
December 8, 2010 that featured EMU
Chemistry faculty members Arthur Howard and
Cory Emal discussing the “Chemistry of Beer.”
The event was held at the Corner Brewery in
Ypsilanti. We learned about the history of beer
and beer making, heard about the importance
of the ingredients in making quality brews, and
examined the chemistry of skunkiness… first
hand! After the talk, the audience had the
opportunity to taste the effect of different flavor
compounds like acetaldehyde (green apples)
and trans-2-nonenal (paper/dust) in beer. The
master brewer from the Corner even opened
up the brewery for a tour. The event was a big
hit, thanks to an ever-popular topic and the
capable leadership of our colleagues Cory and
Arthur.
New Instrumentation
Attracts Several Projects
In August 2010, the new Direct Analysis in
Real Time © time-of-flight mass spectrometer
was delivered and installed! This instrument
was obtained through a Major Research
Instrumentation (MRI) grant from the National
Science Foundation. Within the last six
months, faculty and students from the
Chemistry Department and Polymers and
Coatings have been using the new instrument
for several different research projects.
The Emal group is using the DART-MS to
confirm the chemical identity of individual
members of a series of novel, small-molecule
inhibitors of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.
The Lindsay group has used the DART-MS to
support their work in synthesizing complex
natural alkaloid products with potential as
antiviral, antidiabetic, and anticancer agents.
Dr. John Texter from Polymers and Coatings
has used the electrospray ionization source
and the TOF-MS to characterize stimuliresponsive triblock polymers. The Armitage
group continues to develop methods for DARTMS related to characterizing cultural heritage
materials, including dyes, ancient food
residues, and biomarkers in paint binders.
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Professor Howard Retires
After twentyone years of
service,
Arthur
Howard retired at
the end of fall
semester. Arthur
was a respected
and demanding
instructor within
the classroom and he played a huge role in
revitalizing the organic research activity within
the department. He capably served in many
roles and his experience and counsel were an
invaluable source of wisdom to his colleagues
and his students.
ACS Project SEED
This past summer, the EMU Chemistry
Department and the Huron Valley Local
Section sponsored two high school students to
participate in the ACS Project SEED program.
Myrtes Moore, a senior at Lincoln High School
and Crystal Smith, a senior at Pioneer High
School spent eight weeks in the Department’s
Summer Undergraduate Research Program.
Ms. Moore worked with Prof. Hedeel Evans’
group on a project designed to elucidate the
catalytic mechanism of dihydroorotase. Ms.
Smith worked with Profs. Maria Milletti and
Harriet Lindsay on a computational and
experimental project in which she screened a
number of Lewis acids to determine which
most effectively initiated a tandem reaction in
the synthesis of unnatural amino acids.
The Project SEED students, along with
other chemistry research students, also
participated in a number of activities including
tours of NSF International in Ann Arbor, the art
conservation labs at the Detroit Institute of
Arts, and Pfizer’s process facility in Portage.
Students heard talks on careers in chemistry
and science from Joe Colombo, a chemist at
Cayman Chemical, and on careers in science
policy by Erica Lanni, a chemistry graduate
student at University of Michigan. Additional
information on our summer research program
is in the enclosed flier.
STUDENT AWARDS, 2010
Louis A. Lello, The Peet-Mayor Endowed
Chemistry Award
Patrick M. Spoutz, ACS Huron Valley Section
Undergraduate Award
Kevin S. Kawchak, American Institute of
Chemists Award
Tiffiny M. Micyus, Maurice Decoster Endowed
Chemistry Scholarship
Joshua M. Osborne, Hypercube Scholar
Award
Kevin S. Kawchak, POLYED Outstanding
Achievement in Organic Chemistry Award
Edward C. Grimley, Biochemistry
Achievement Award
Gregory A. Abernathy, Wiley Organic
Achievement Award
Edward C. Grimley, Ian M. Pendleton,
Collins’ Endowed Scholarships in Chemistry
Eric W. Kiturkes, Sandra J. Lobbestael
Chemistry Endowed Scholarship
Tiffiny M. Micyus, Elva Mae Nicholson
Organic Chemistry Endowed Scholarship
Louis W. Frederick III, John J. Contario
Analytical Chemistry Award
Ryan P. Berger, ACS Division of Analytical
Chemistry Award
Paul R. North, CRC Press Chemistry
Achievement Award
Michelle Altenburg, John Sullivan Endowed
Scholarship
Gregory A. Abernathy, James G. and LeAnn
K. Emal Scholarship in Chemistry
Audra L. Katchorek, Donald B. Phillips
Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Jill S. Cusumano, Holly L. Roe, Student
Employee Appreciation Awards
Ian M. Pendleton, Huron Valley Publishing
Scholarship
Ian M. Pendleton, Symposium Undergraduate
Research Fellow
Nicholas J. Anagnostou, Elyssa M.
Rautiola, Danielle E. Robson, Erika M. Van
Goethem, Perry S. Brundage Scholarships
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Michelle A. Altenburg, CAS Larry and Janice
Warren Scholarship
Srujana Katukuri, EMU Chemistry
Department Research Award
Melissa L. Cordes, Louis Lello, Stephanie
M. Simon, Patrick M. Spoutz, University
Honors Program Graduates
Karen L. Sanders, ACS Huron Valley Section
EMU Outstanding Graduate Student Award
David J. Arnold, Ronald M. Scott Memorial
Scholarship
Andrew J. Idzior, Srujana Katukuri, Karen L.
Sanders, Prasanna Vanja, University
Fellowships in Chemistry
Louis A. Lello, Patrick M. Spoutz, Honors
Senior Thesis Awards
Michelle A. Altenburg, William C. Joesten,
Tiffiny M. Micyus, Seo Jin Oh, Honors
Undergraduate Fellowships
Mace R. Mattieson, EMU Chemistry
Department Teaching Assistant Award
Sarika Pamarthy, Graduate Research Fair
Science Paper Award
UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM, March 2010
Michelle Altenburg, Professor Harriet
Lindsay, sponsor. “Use of Conformational
Anchors to Investigate Stereoselectivity in the
Aza-Cope Mannich Reaction”
Deidre Hardeman, Professor Ruth Ann
Armitage, sponsor. “Determining the Efficacy
of Nondestructive Pretreatment Methods on
Known-age Textiles”
Patricia Hiemstra, Amy Poopat, Konrad
Kasparschuster, Logan Darlow, Audrianna
Sevilla, and Cody Tull, Professors Ellene
Tratras Contis and Brooke Criswell, sponsors.
“Inconvenient Truths: Scientific Presentations”
William C. Joesten, Professor Timothy Friebe,
sponsor. “Investigation of an Acid-catalyzed
Robinson Annulation under Microwave
Irradiation”
Kevin Kawchak and John Heemstra,
Professor Gregg Wilmes, sponsor “Synthesis
of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers by Reversible
Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer
Agents”
Bobby Marthambadi, Professor Gavin
Edwards, sponsor. “Observation and Modeling
of Pollution over the Western Pacific Ocean”
Geneve Maxwell, Professor Ruth Ann
Armitage, sponsor. “Methodological Study of
Two Derivatization Methods for Proteinaceous
Binders in Rock Paintings”
Tiffiny Micyus, Professor Harriet Lindsay,
sponsor. ” Lewis-acid Mediated Aza-Cope
Rearrangement Mannich Cyclization of
Conformationally Mobile Iminium Cations”
Ian Matthew Pendleton, Professor Harriet
Lindsay, sponsor. “Aza-Cope Rearrangement
Mannich Cyclization of Conformationally
Mobile Iminium Cations”
Stephanie Simon, Hillary Walters, and
Manzar Zaidi, Professor Steven Pernecky,
sponsor. “Methodology and Analysis of
Butyrate in Bacterial Microorganisms”
Patrick Spoutz, Professor Maria Milletti,
sponsor. “An Analysis of the Conformational
and Electronic Characteristics of PAl-1
Inhibitors”
Brenan Micole Wilson, Professor Deborah
Heyl-Clegg, sponsor. “Inhibition of Human Islet
Amyloid Polypeptide Aggregation and
Membrane Damage in -islet Cell Mimics”
Greg Abernathy, Professor Cory Emal,
sponsor. “Gallate-containing Compounds and
Their Role in PAI-1 Inhibition”
Kristen Cater, Professor Larry Kolopajlo,
sponsor. “e-volving Student Learning in
Chemistry via the Flip Video Camera”
Melissa Cordes, Professor Hedeel Guy
Evans, sponsor. “Catalytic Mechanism of
Dihydroorotase”
Louis Lello, Professor Maria Milletti, sponsor.
“Computational Investigation of an aza-Cope
Mannich Reaction”
5
GRADUATE RESEARCH FAIR, March 2010
Nadine C. El-Ayache - Professor Cory Emal,
sponsor. “Design and Synthesis of Bisarylsulfonamides as Inactivators of
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)”
Reshma Kankanala - Professor Hedeel
Evans, sponsor. “Characterizing the
Oligomeric Structure of the Dihydroorotase and
Aspartate Transcarbamoylase from the
Bacterium Bacillus anthracis”
Mahalakshmi Kotichukkala - Professor
Hedeel Evans, sponsor. “Interaction of
Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase with Other
Components of the Pyrimidine Pathway in
Aquifex Aeolicus”
Ran Li - Professor Ruth Ann Armitage,
sponsor. “Characterization of the Binders in the
Rock Art of Cueva La Conga, Nicaragua”
Rajani Maddi - Professor Steven John
Pernecky, sponsor. “GC/MS Characterization
of Short Chain Fatty Acids in in vitro Microbial
Culture”
Mace R. Mattieson - Professor Heather
Holmes, sponsor. “On-Trap Derivatization of
Short-Chain Fatty Acids”
JoLisa McDay - Professor Heather Holmes,
sponsor. “Ecological Method Development for
Detecting N-Nitrosodimethylamine in Water
Using HPLC-PDAD”
Sarika Pamarthy - Professor Deborah HeylClegg, sponsor.”Simulation of Human Islet
Amyloid Polypeptide (hIAPP) and Pancreatic
Beta Cell Membrane Interactions:
Experimental Analysis and Possible
Implications in the Etiology and Pathogenesis
of Diabetes Mellitus type II”
Karen L. Sanders and Hasina Saraha Professor Cory Emal, sponsor. “StructureActivity Relationships of Inhibitory Molecules
for Plasminogen Activator-Inhibitor-1”
David J. Sitar - Professor Larry Kolopajlo,
sponsor. “E-volving Student Learning in the
Sciences using Technology”
Faculty Grants, Awards, and Recognitions
Ruth Ann Armitage:
Full Release Time Fall 2010 Faculty Research Fellowship
Cory Emal:
Received tenure and promotion to associate professor
Full Release Time Fall 2010 Faculty Research Fellowship
Hedeel I. Guy Evans: Promotion to full professor.
Jeff W. Guthrie:
$3,000 and Full Release Time Winter 2011 Faculty Research Fellowship
Harriet Lindsay:
Student Ian Pendleton was one of few students selected nationally to go to
Washington, D.C. to present at the conference celebrating the merger of the
Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) and the National Conferences on
Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
Maria Milletti and Harriet Lindsay: $5000 EMU Women in Philanthropy grant
Maria Milletti:
Student Sarika Pamarthy won the Grad Research Fair paper competition in
science
John Nelson:
2010-2011 EMU Sustainability Fellowship
Jamie Scaglione:
$5,000 Provost’s New Faculty Award
Don Snyder:
2010 Spring/Summer Faculty Research Fellowship
Approved by the ACS for listing as an ACS Tour Speaker through the ACS
Online Speaker Directory.
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