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Spring 2008
Fall 2008
Winter 2007
Spring 2007
My scientific interests initially leaned toward understanding the role of G protein subunits in signal transduction pathways. After settling in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area at Virginia Wesleyan College, my research has shifted toward natural product chemistry, science education, and curriculum development. My primary duties involve teaching predominantly Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry lectures and laboratories. I began my research career as an undergraduate at Cornell University. I was fortunate enough to work in the laboratory of Dr. Rick Cerione in the Department of Pharmacology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. I completed an undergraduate honors thesis entitled "Effect of a small peptide, Mastoparan, on the interactions of the retinal G-protein, Transducin, with the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase." Lured by the amount of signal transduction research being conducted at Duke University Medical School, I proceeded to attend graduate school in the Department of Biochemistry at Duke University. In the fall of 1990, I began my graduate career in the laboratory of Dr. Pat Casey. I was one of the original three members of the Casey Lab, but the numbers have increased considerably since then. I completed my dissertation, "Role of prenylation in assembly and function of trimeric G proteins," in July 1995. As an assistant professor of Chemistry at Eastern Illinois University from 1995-2000, I taught an array of courses from biochemistry, organic and general chemistry to a course in general studies. My research centered on the beta and gamma subunits of G proteins and their role in signal transduction pathways.
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