I am interested in the chemistry and biochemistry of naturally occurring molecules.
In my biochemistry courses we examine biomolecules in their natural setting in order to see how the living state comes about. Structure leads to function and thus in Structural Biochemistry we study the structure and function of proteins, the main orchestrators of life as well as the properties of carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. The energetic aspects of life are studied in Metabolism and Bioenergetics from the point of view of energy yielding catabolic pathways of nutrient breakdown and energy consuming anabolic pathways of biosynthesizing new living matter.
As an organic chemist, my main interest has been the laboratory synthesis of natural products. In Introductory Organic Chemistry we survey the main classes of organic molecules and their characteristic reactivity. The main focus in Organic Chemistry of Biological Molecules is the synthesis of amino acids and peptides, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.
In the Chemical Synthesis Laboratory, the principal focus is on experimental synthetic chemistry both of organic and inorganic compounds. Multi-step organic synthesis is introduced and the chemistry of transition metals and main group elements is explored. Throughout, molecules are characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy. Students may optionally pursue independent synthesis projects as the course proceeds.
