Dr. Brian Buffin, Assistant Professor, Inorganic Chemistry
The majority of my research interests are focused in the areas of water-soluble organometallic chemistry and
environmentally-benign “green” catalysis. The chemistry of water-soluble organometallic compounds with hydrophilic
phosphine ancillary ligands has been extensively studied for the past two decades, due in part to their potential applications
in industrial-scale biphasic catalysis. Somewhat surprisingly, very little work has been performed using related hydrophilic
nitrogen-based ligands in aqueous organometallic chemistry. Our research examines the chemistry of transition metal
complexes that contain suitable amine and imine ligands with charged and polar substituents in order to ascertain how these
ligands impact the chemistry of organometallic complexes in aqueous media. Initial work in my group examined the
coordination chemistry of hydrophilic nitrogen-based ligands with low valent transition metal complexes, such as tungsten(0)
and molybdenum(0) metal carbonyls. We have also synthesized and characterized a series of water-soluble palladium and
platinum olefin complexes as well as several novel Group 10 chlorides. Standard methods for the oxidation of organic
alcohols often employ carcinogenic stoichiometric reagents such as Cr(VI) with halogenated solvents. We recently discovered
an environmentally-benign catalytic process for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols, which uses water as the only solvent and air
as the sole oxidant. Five manuscripts detailing our results have recently been published, of which three were co-authored by
undergraduate student researchers. Our current goal is to continue to study the chemistry of these interesting transition metal
complexes and to expand the scope of our “green” catalytic method. Students working on these projects gain a variety of
synthetic and instrumentation skills including: methods for the manipulation of air-sensitive materials; product characterization
by NMR, IR, and UV-visible spectrometry; and experience in catalytic studies. Information generated by our research could
lead to a better understanding of how organometallic complexes behave in an aqueous environment and will help advance the
development of more active and selective catalysts for use in environmentally-benign processes.
Dr. Anselm Omoke, Assistant Professor, Analytical / Environmental Chemistry
Work in my laboratory is focused on problems in environmental and bio-analytical chemistry within two inter-related
themes.(i) Development of functionalized nanoparticles for environmental and bio-analytical applications. In this project,
we are working on protocols for site-directed immobilization of small and large molecules containing multifunctional
ligands on nanoparticles of magnetite (Fe3O4) and magnetite composites via one-pot synthesis, self-assembly monolayer
formation and silanization techniques. The main goal of this project is to produce solid-phase adsorbents with high
selectivity and affinity for metal capture, bioaffinity separations and cell isolation. We evaluate the success of our
protocols and the potential applications of the functionalized nanoparticles in biomedicine, biotechnology and
environmental analysis using a suite of analytical methods (UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, transmission
electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry).(ii) Chemical
interaction of toxic metal species in aqueous systems containing inorganic/bioactive surfaces and organic matter. In this
project, we are investigating two types of binary interactions involving toxic metal species; (a) bacterial surfaces as free
cells and as a component of biofilm interaction with toxic metals, and (b) inorganic surfaces coated with organic matter
interaction with toxic metals. We are working with humic substances and extracellular polymeric substances. These
macromolecules are reactive components of natural waters with potential metal ion binding sites in competition. This
work involves evaluating the influence of solution chemistry (pH, ionic strength, nature of cations such as calcium and
magnesium, and inorganic complexing agents) on the adsorption as well as partitioning of metal species in these binary
systems. The overall goal is to demonstrate and provide insights into the role played by natural organic matter and
solution chemistry in the fate and mobility of metal species in the environment. The analytical methods we utilize in
evaluating the nature of the interactions include UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography,
transmission electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Dr. Jie Song, Assistant Professor, Physical Chemistry
Dr. Song's research is focused on computational applications to real chemical systems of interest. Included in his current
research interests are the highly accurate descriptions of the electronic structures of small - to moderate - sized molecules
and molecular ions, and the application of the hybrid quantum / molecular mechanics (QM/MM) to the large sized system.
His research program includes: (1) using accurate and ultrahigh accurate multi-reference methods to investigate the
potential energy surfaces of smaller molecules as well as the low-lying excited states; (2) using ab initio methods to
interpret the reaction mechanisms; (3) using hybrid quantum mechanics / molecular mechanics to investigate the reactions
in aqueous solutions and on the surfaces; (4) using molecular mechanics methods to study the conformations of the large
organic molecules.
Dr. Robert Stach, Professor, Biochemistry
My area of interest is the biochemical relationships in developmental neurobiology. In particular, I am interested in the
normal growth and development of the sensory and sympathetic nervous systems (along with some aspects of the central
nervous system) which are responsive to the neurohormone nerve growth factor. This hormone interacts with receptors
on responsive cells and allows the cells to survive and grow processes. When the nerve growth factor is missing, the
sensory and sympathetic nervous systems do not develop properly. The individual is born without the sensory and
sympathetic nervous systems and has a disease called familia dysautonomia. We are especially interested in determining
how the signal of the nerve growth factor binding to its receptor is transduced by the cell to cause a response. With this
information about how the normal nervous system functions, it may be possible to ameliorate problems of the abnormal
or injured nervous system.
Dr. Jessica Tischler, Assistant Professor, Organic Chemistry
My research is in the area of alternative syntheses. One area that I am interested in is green chemistry. This is an area
of chemistry that is based on the premise that "synthetic methodolgies should be designed to use and generate substances
that possess little or no toxicity to human health and the environment." Some examples of what I am working on include
organic reactions in sub-critical water, and biocatalysis. Sub-critical water (water under high temperatures and
pressures) has unique properties that allow a variety of traditional organic reactions to take place. Biocatalysis
involves the genetic engineering of microorganisms to convert carbohydrates into commercially important chemicals.
I am also working on the synthesis of anti-cancer analogs using improved methodologies. One example is Taxol analogs.
In this synthesis, a photochemical reaction will be used to construct the taxoid ring system in fewer steps than what has
been previously reported.