2008 - 2015 Departmental News
In Memoriam: David Wayne Purkiss
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry NMR Spectroscopist David Wayne Purkiss died December 2, 2015 at the age of 60. He was the NMR Spectroscopist for the Texas Tech Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for over 30 years.
He was born November 7, 1956 in Searcy, Arkansas. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Central Arkansas in 1980 and his master's degree from Texas Tech University in 1984. Upon receiving his master's degree, David joined the staff at Texas Tech where he operated and maintained the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer and the mass spectrometer.
Dr. Morales obtained a grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
The funded research is to reveal the mechanisms of fundamental reactions occurring during proton cancer therapy (PCT) via computational chemistry methods. In this innovative approach to cancer research, the Morales group is employing the electron nuclear dynamics (END) method to simulate water radiolysis reactions and DNA damage processes. In this way, a better understanding of PCT leading to its rational design can be safely obtained on computers without putting patients under risk.
Horn Professor Nes has been awarded a NIH R21/R33 award titled "Discovery of new anti-amoeba therapeutics"
The funded research is to prepare and test new steroidal inhibitors separately and in combination with medical azoles as potential anti-amoeba agents against corneal blindness and the brain-eating amoebas.
Dr. D'Auria and Dr. Cozzolino receive funding from the Presidential Collaborative Research Grants Program
Dr. D'Auria and Dr. Cozzolino, in collaboration with Dr. Kaye (TTU Physics) and Dr. Zeng (TTUHSC El Paso), will work towards constructing a sensor for the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. This effort brings together elements of solid state physics, surface chemistry, biochemistry and infectious diseases.
Dr. Gamez has been awarded the inaugural JAAS Emerging Investigator Lectureship
This Lectureship was launched to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Journal for Analytical Atomic Spectroscopy and will be awarded annually from 2015 to recognize and support an emerging scientist working in the area of atomic spectrometry in the early stages of their independent career. As a winner of this Lectureship, Professor Gamez is invited to present his research at a high-profile international conference.
Dr. Pappas selected as President's Administrative Fellow
An associate professor of chemistry in the Texas Tech University Department of Chemistry
& Biochemistry has been selected as the university's newest President's Administrative
Fellow.
Dimitri Pappas, who is chairman of the Institutional Laboratory Safety Committee and
maintains an active research group, will begin his new role on Sept. 1.
Dr. Robert W. Shaw, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry recognized for innovative research
Texas Tech University's Office of Technology Commercialization hosted the West Texas Innovation Showcase to honor TTU/TTUHSC innovators on May 13, 2015. Robert V. Duncan, senior vice president for research at Texas Tech University presented Dr. Shaw with two separate awards for his research on antibiotics.
Dr. Clemens Krempner has been awarded an NSF grant
Prof. Clemens Krempner has been awarded an NSF grant for his project "Harnessing the Unquenched Reactivity of Novel Frustrated Lewis Pairs for Transition Metal-Free Hydrogenation Catalysis", which competed successfully in the international competition in sustainable chemistry. His co-workers in the tri-lateral research effort are from Germany and China.
Dr. Birney demonstrates an unexpected reaction pathway
Experimental and theoretical results from Professor Birney's research group, showing that [3,5]-rearrangements of esters are allowed, although predicted to be forbidden by the Woodward-Hoffmann rules, was recently published in JACS and recognized with a "spotlight" by the editors.
Dedicated recognition of alumna, Dr. Ginny S. Lin
The Department extends sincerest thanks to alumna, Dr. Ginny S. Lin, for
generous support of the NMR Spectrometer Facility.
Additional Highlights
- Brad Haubrich (Nes research group) named ARCS Scholar
- Dr. Hope-Weeks receives highlight for work on new ionic polymers
- Dr. Poirier receives Rushing Faculty Distinguished Research Award
- Dr. Quitevis recognized for most cited paper
- Casadonte appointed Graduate School Interim Dean
- Dr. Lischka recruits Fulbright Scholar
- Dr. Shaw awarded 4th patent for discovery of metallo-ß-lactamase inhibitors
- Dr. Morales receives grant to predict ESR tensors for petroleum species
- Dr. Gellene selected for membership in the TTU Teaching Academy
- Pappas Receives Chancellor's Council Research Award: Photos
- Dr. Nes publishes Chemical Reviews article
- Dr. Li receives National Institutes of Health Grants
- New Method Could lead to Better Treatments for Cancer and Heart Disease
- Chemistry Celebrates Opening of Renovated Room
- Scott Hiemstra selected to receive a 2011 Distinguished Staff Award from the Office of the President
- Dr. Hase Featured in the 2011 Arts & Sciences Magazine
- Bartsch Named ACS Fellow for Work with Chemical Ligands
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
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