Faculty Research Interests

Kestas Bendinskas
My research group works with:
(1) Proteins involved in the cardiovascular problems of children exposed to lead using proteomic techniques;
(2) New biochemical detection methods for a date rape drug GHB, gamma hydroxybutyrate;
(3) Biochemistry and proteomic teaching laboratory experiments' development (glycosidation of carbohydrates, ultracentrifugation, effects of different chemicals on the proteome of /E.Coli/).

Martha D. Bruch
Use of spectroscopic techniques, especially NMR, to probe the relationship between molecular
structure and physical or chemical properties of a wide range of substances, including synthetic
polymers, peptides, organic molecules, and modified silica surfaces.

Fehmi Damkaci
(1) Total synthesis of heterocyclic natural products with medicinal and/or structural importance,
(2) Development of new synthetic organic reactions. Currently, my is involved in the discovery of new
ligand for Ullman type aryl-aryl couplings,
(3) Development of new experiments for organic laboratory curriculum using microwave,
(4) Comparison of online vs face-to-face course medium for a chemistry course.

Webe C. Kadima
The main thrust of our research is to characterize the effects of metal ion chemistries in the
association and allosteric conformational changes in proteins. These studies provide a fundamental
understanding of the interplay between metal ion properties and conformational equilibria. A model
currently used is the zinc-insulin hexamer, the pancreatic storage form of insulin. Association/
dissociation and conformational changes modulate the action of insulin in-vivo and the
pharmaceutical properties of insulin preparations. Thus, our studies contribute to the understanding
of basic chemical processes underlying the action of insulin in-vivo and in pharmaceutical
preparations.

Joseph W. Lefevre
My research involves the synthesis of derivatives of betulin, a potential anti-cancer compound.
Betulin can be isolated in very high yield from birch bark. Thus, it is an ideal starting compound
because it can be easily isolated. Compounds are analyzed mainly by proton and carbon-13 nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

James Pagano
Great Lakes Fish Monitoring Program, Lake Ontario Air Deposition Study (LOADS), congenerspecific
analysis of PCBs in human placental tissues and serum; reductive dechlorination of PCBs
in an anaerobic bioreactor systems and CDFs; analysis of native Alaskan foods; development of
analytical methods for the determination/separation PCBs/PCTs in industrially contaminated
sediments; and utilization of snapping turtles and zebra mussels as environmental biomonitors.
Research funding is provided through collaborative grants from USEPA, ATSDR, National
Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences, NYS Great Lakes Protection Fund, Great Lakes
Research Consortium, Great Lakes Commission, Alcan Aluminum Corporation, Novelis
Corporation, and World Wildlife Federation.

Casey C. Raymond
My research group is interested in three areas listed below. In the !rst two areas of research, students will
learn air-sensitive techniques, including the use of Schlenk lines and gloveboxes. Students will also learn
common charaterization techniques, including UV-vis, IR, and NMR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry,
electrochemistry, and X-ray crystallography. Students in the third area of research will learn separation
techniques and characterization techniques of food and fermentation related systems.

Jeffery A. Schneider
My research interests are in the areas of (1) carbohydrate analysis of fermentation products and (2)
analysis of heavy metals in the environment.