Alumni news from the Department
June 2002
DAY TRIPPING
Enrico DeVita, former graduate student in Prof. Lucio
Frydman's group, was visiting our Department this week. He is very
enthusiastic about his work at The Wellcome Trust High Field MR Research
Laboratory of the Department of Medical Physics & Bioengineering at
University College in London. His research is focused on magnetic
resonance imaging of the brain. As a member of the Gesundheit Institute
(London Chapter), which promotes the healing methods of Patch Adams, Enrico volunteers
much of his free time clowning for autistic children. It was good to see
you, Enrico. Buona fortuna!
December 2001
STAR TRACK
We are very proud to report that Dr. Baoliang (Bob) Wang,
who was a member of Prof. Keiderling’s group and graduated in 1993, has
developed a new product called Exicor® at Hinds Instruments. Exicor® is a
research and commercial control instrument for characterizing low-level
birefringence in optical materials. It offers high sensitivity, high
repeatability and fast cycle time measuring capability for users needing
precise measurement of birefringence (optical result of stress and strain) in
the laser crystal, semiconductor, lithography and scientific optics
markets. Baoliang was honored with the IR100 Award from the magazine
Industrial Research at a black tie ceremony at the Museum of Science &
Industry in early October 2001 for his work. He also received the 2001
R&D 100 Award in July, 2001, the 2000 Photonics Circle of Excellence Award,
and the CLEO/QELS 2000 New Product Award. The semiconductor industry is
very interested in Exicor® because typically birefringence causes
photolithography images to lose resolution and limits the density that can be
used in chip design. Baoliang’s article, “Birefringence Analysis Improves
157-nm Lithography Optics”, can be found in the November issue of Laser Focus
World.
With equal enthusiasm we announce that Dr. Rina Dukor, who
is a 1991 alumnus of Prof. Keiderling’s group and the founder and president of
BioTools, Inc. in Lake Zurich, IL, is introducing the first commercial,
free-standing, Raman Optical Activity (ROA) spectrometer -- The
ChiralRAMAN™. This spectrometer uses a state-of-the-art solid-state
laser, fiber-optic light collection, holographic transmission grating and CCD
detection components. The system includes a new patent-pending real-time
optical artifact elimination optical system and provides an unprecedented
signal-to-noise ratio speed of collection for both ROA and Raman spectra.
It is optimized and calibrated for routine turn-key operation and its custom
ROA software is implemented in Windows to be intuitive and user-friendly.
News Submitted by Alumni
Fri May 9 12:00:20 CDT 2003
Martina Bertsch, Ph.D (Ph.D, 2003 Advisor: Dr. Richard Kassner)
The goal of my postdoctoral project is to design and characterize selective
ligands for the hMT1 and hMT2 melatonin receptors employing biocomputational methodologies.
Specifically, the project aims to: 1) identify the molecular determinants for ligand
binding within the hMT1 and hMT2 receptor binding pockets; 2) design novel selective
and specific agonists for the hMT1 and hMT2 melatonin receptors. It is hypothesized
that melatonin receptors can be modeled from bovine rhodopsin and that conformational
changes of the model reveal distinct binding patterns of antagonist and agonist bound
receptors. The hMT1 and hMT2 melatonin receptors have distinct structural features that
allow docking of ligands with high selectivity and specificity. A consensus assignment
of helices is generated from alignment and optimized by the prediction of transmembrane
segments. The optimized alignments is used to guide the in silico mutation of rhodopsin
amino acid side chains into their respective structural counterparts in the hMT1.
The hMT2 receptor is modeled upon hMT1 due to their 60% sequence homology. For the
models of receptors in the "ground" (antagonist bound) and "active" (agonist bound)
state, refinement is achieved by energy minimization with the conformationally most
rigid known antagonist and agonist, respectively. The agonist-minimized model is further
improved by multi-ligand based minimization. The refined models are tested by virtual
library screening against known ligands and employed as a basis for de novo agonist
design. Discovery of selective and specific ligands for the hMT1 and hMT2 melatonin
receptors will lead to the development of drugs for the treatment of insomnia and
circadian rhythm disorders, e.g., jet lag, maladaptation to night shift work and delayed
or advanced sleep phase syndrome.
Sat May 3 22:48:09 CDT 2003
Dr. Slav Stepanovich (MS-1982, PhD-1985 Advisor: Dr. Richard Kassner)
I started my own consulting company called, Proname Consulting in 1995.
Sat May 3 02:17:32 CDT 2003
Mark A. Sherman, MD (B.S. 1970, M.D. (U. of I.) 1974 R.A. for Jay Rasiel
)
Internship
Internal Medicine Residency
Radiology Residency
Ultrasoun/CT Fellowship
All at USC-Los Angeles County Hospital
Director of Ultrasound at Humana Hospital in San Leandro California 1980-1986
Dupont Pharma Grant,1993
To Evaluate the Use of Cardiolite in the Early Diagnosis of Kaposi Sarcoma.
Currently Co-Director of Diagnostic Imaging
Sherman Oaks Hospital and Health Center.
Married with two Children
My Daughter is a Junior at the University of Michigan
My Son Starts College this Fall At U C Berkeley
Fri May 2 16:52:17 CDT 2003
Steven D. Fidanze (Ph.D, 2000 Advisor: Arun K. Ghosh)
I spent two years as a postdoc in the Kishi group at Harvard, where I worked
on the stereochemistry and total synthesis of the mycolactones. I then started at
Abbott in July, 2002, where I am in Cancer Research. I now have two daughters,
Mia Nicole, age 3, and Gabriella Renee, age 7 months.
See you at the reception!
Thu May 1 19:06:17 CDT 2003
Noel S. Timones (BS in Biochemistry (12/99), MS in Chemistry (12/01))
I have been working at Alberto Culver as a R&D Chemist for the past year and a half,
formulating St. Ives Body Wash and Lotion. I am planning to go to Midwestern
Pharmacy or Northeastern University College of Pharmacy in Boston, MA this Fall 2003.
Fri Apr 18 11:15:59 CDT 2003
Yi-Yin Ku (M.S. 1985, Ph.D. 1988; Advisor: Robert Moriarty)
I have been working for Abbott Labs since Feb.1989. Currently I am in the
Process Chemistry Department as a Senior Group Leader and an Associate Research Fellow.
Most of the projects I have been worked on are in the areas of process research and
development, involving development of efficient, economical and scalable synthetic
chemical processes for the preparation of drug substance for toxicology and clinical
studies. Following are some of the awards and accomplishments:
-Robert Stein Award, 1996, CAPD, Abbott Labs
-Chairman Award, 1995, CAPD, Abbott Labs
-Scientist of the Year Award, 1992, CAPD, Abbott Labs
-51 publications and major national conference presentations
-13 granted and pending U. S. patents and 2 patent disclosures
Tue Apr 15 15:00:15 CDT 2003
Herbert E. Paaren (BS 71, MS 73, PhD 76; Advisor: Robert M Moriarty)
I'll fill you in on the last 27 years on the 15th.
Fri Apr 11 09:33:09 CDT 2003
Birjees Kauser (BS-1985)
After receiving my undergradute degree(1985) I worked at St. Xavier
College as Lab Co-ordinator and went to school at Roosevelt University for
my masters. While still in school, I landed myself in the field of forensic science.
I finished my non-thesis MS program in 1993. I have been working here at the crime
lab for the past twelve years. My responsiblity is to identify controlled
substances, (which includes narcotics, stimulants, halucinogens, steroids etc.)
write reports, testify in court as needed. I am also responsible for maintaining
mass spec and GC instruments. I love my job and plan to stay in forensic for some more time.
Thu Apr 3 11:01:32 CST 2003
Adrian Whitty (MS 1988, Ph.D. 1991; Advisor: Paul R. Young)
After leaving UIC in 1990, I did a three-year postdoc at Brandeis University
in Massachusetts, learning about mechanistic enzymology. In late 1993 I joined Biogen,
a large biopharmaceutical company located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Although at
Biogen I initially continued to work on enzymes, my research interests quickly
broadened to encompass the application of similar quantitative experimental and
theoretical approaches to understanding the mechanisms of action of cell-surface
receptors and cell adhesion molecules. This has proven to be a fascinating and
fruitful area of research, though the experimental challenge of doing clean experiments
on complex "dirty" systems such as whole cells is a far cry from pure chemistry, and
requires some minor adjustments in one's thinking. In this I was greatly blessed with
an outstanding group of colleagues from the biological sciences who were keen to
collaborate and who were willing to help educate me in the process. A lot of what we've
done has been published, so details of some of the specific systems we've studied
(should anyone be interested) can be found via Medline.
Wed Apr 2 11:05:25 CST 2003
Jerry W. Kosmeder (Ph.D. 1999; Advisor: Robert Moriarty)
After graduating from UIC, I accepted an appointment as Research Assistant
Professor at the UIC College of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and
Pharmacognosy. I continued drug discovery research in cancer chemoprevention/chemotherapy
using natural products as part of a multidisciplinary group based at UIC. Through our
efforts a number of interesting compounds (resveratrol, deguelin, betulinic
acid, 4'-bromoflavone, sulforamate/oxomate) have progressed and are under
consideration by the National Cancer Institute and NIH, along with several
collaborators (MD Anderson, Houston TX). In October 2002, I accepted a position with
ChemRx in Tucson AZ as Senior Scientist. I now develop and produce combinatorial
libraries for major pharmaceutical companies
utilizing solution and solid-phase chemistry.
Mon Mar 31 09:43:55 CST 2003
John S. Ozcomert (Ph.D. 1992; Advisor: Michael Trenary)
After graduation I spent 2 1/2 years at the University of Maryland,
doing post-doc work for Ellen Williams and Janice Reutt-Robey in their
Materials Research Group. Most of the work involved using SPM techniques to
study chemical reactions on surfaces. In 1995 I took a position at Rexam
Medical Packaging as an analytical chemist. Following a couple of moves and
promotions I am currently responsible for R&D and Technical Services for
the Americas.
Sun Mar 30 09:17:57 CST 2003
James J. Marszalek (B.S.
1970)
1.) Chemistry teacher-Lindblom High School, Chicago, Illinois 9/70 to 1/77;
2.) lawyer-Perz and Mc Guire, 1/77 to 12/82;
3.) lawyer- James J. Marszalek and Associates, 1/82 to 5/86;
4.) lawyer-Marszalek and Marszalek,29 S. La Salle,Chicago, Il. 60603, 5/86 to present.
Wed Mar 26 06:44:08 CST 2003
Michael J. Greenberg (BS
1972, PhD 1976; Advisor: William Dunn)
1976-1981 Group Leader at Quaker Oats- Published
extensively in the area of structure activity and olfaction and taste,
published papers on isolation and identification of flavor chemicals from pet
foods, patents on synthetic attractants and flavor chemicals for pet foods.
Presented papers at the ACS AGFD symposia on Olfaction and Chemical structure,
Weurman Flavor symposium in Munich Germany on Dynamic headspace interfaced to
GC-MS to isolate and identify flavor volatiles from foods.
1981- Recruited to Wrigley to start a
Flavor and Analytical research Department. Since then became Director of
Science and Technology that includes the development and application of
chemical technologies to confection and oral care products, development of
technologies to provide improved dental, breath freshening and healthcare
delivery to consumers from confectionary products world wide, and the
Intellectual Property Group responsible for patent protection of technologies
generated within the Wrigley Company.
1981-current Wm. Wrigley Jr Company
Inventor on over 50 patents on flavor chemicals (synthesized,received
regulatory approval and application of new mint cooling chemicals now used in
toothpaste, mouthwash, confectionary), flavor chemicals and essential oil
processing, controlled flavorant and sweetener technologies, antacid
formulation, oral care-dental, breathfreshening, technologies.
Led teams of patent scientists in obtaining over 250 patents in a 15 year
period.
Published a Fused silica capillary GC-MS method on the analysis of antioxidants
in confectionary that is still industry standard.
Directed teams of analytical scientists in the development and validation of
over 200 methods of analysis for high intensity sweeteners,flavor
chemicals,polyols, carbohydrates, polymers, platicizers, etc..
Directed polymer chemists in the synthesis of biodegradable polymers including
a polar polymer that has rubber properties.
Wednesday, March 26, 2003 4:33 PM
Calvin J Chany II (PhD 1994; Advisor: Robert M. Moriarty)
I am currently an Assistant Professor
in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Rush. After graduating from Prof.
Moriarty's group in 1994, I did a 1yr Post-Doc with Mike Sinnott at UIC
(carbohydrate syntheses). In 1995 I joined an Ob/Gyn Research Group at Rush
Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center. Our group has been working on the development
of new vaginal over the counter (OTC) gels for the prevention of sexually transmitted
diseases. I have been intimately interfacing with our industrial partners in synthetic
and analytical problem solving. Currently we have 2 products entering Phase II/III
clinical trials this year.
On the fun side, the UIC Department of Chemistry has allowed me to continue my chemistry help site http://tigger.uic.edu/~magyar/Lab_Help/lghome.html .
Tue Mar 25 13:30:49 CST 2003
Steven H Smoger (MS 1980)
After completing my masters I enrolled in
the Univ of Illinois School of medicine, completing the MD 1984. Residency done
at St Francis Hospital in Peoria, IL. My wife and I moved to Louisville KY
1989. until 2000 I was on faculty at the Univ of Louisville School of Medicine,
Associate Prof Medicine. I moved to a full time clinical position with the VA
at that time.
I often reflect on my teaching and
classwork experiences at UIC. These were very challenging to me and prepared me
well for my ultimate career in medicine. though no longer a chemist in any
sense, I believe the background helped immensely with the science involved in
medical studies.
Mon Mar 24 10:05:27 CST 2003
Kathy (Katerina) Sarris (BS Chemistry, May 1998, MS
Chemistry, Dec.1999; Advisor: Dr. Robert Moriarty)
I
have been working with Abbott Laboratories since January 2000. I am working in
a
High-Throughput Organic Synthesis Lab doing Combinatorial Chemistry.
I set up reactions and carry out parallel synthesis protocols on high tech
automated synthesizers and different automation platforms. Using this advanced
technology we are able to synthesize 100 times more compounds than the average
medicinal chemist!!!
Mon Mar 24 18:32:50 CST 2003
Earl T. Ada (PhD Analytical Chemistry; Advisor:
Prof. Luke Hanley)
Web Site:
http://bama.ua.edu/~caf
Please
see website. Thanks.
Sun Mar 23 18:48:01 CST 2003
Sean Brynjelsen (BS 1993,
MS 1995; Advisor: Luke Hanley)
Associate Research Scientist - Provided
synthetic and analytical chemistry support in a lab setting(4 years).
Group Leader - Analytical chemistry group
leader. Organized and designed feasibility experiments and analytical studies
to support new products (2 years).
Manager, Research - Technical leader in
pharmaceutical product development (1 year). Responsible for driving chemistry
related activities on major Baxter programs.
Fri Mar 21 13:14:04 CST 2003
Chongwoo Yu (Ph.D. /
2002; Advisor: Richard B. van Breemen & Wonhwa Cho)
Our daughter Joyce Dayoung Yu was borned
to the world on September 23, 2002.
After finishing my Ph.D, I started to work as a Post Doctoral Research Fellow
in the Bioanalytical Research group in the PDM (Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and
Metabolism) Department at Pfizer Global Research & Development Ann Arbor
Laboratories in November 2002.
Last Modified 05/15/2003 09:57:46
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