Dr. Changqing Chen
My research interests and recent research projects include:
- Nano-formulations of curcumin to enhance its bioavailability
- Monitoring the formation of senile plaques in Alzheimer’s Disease with fluorescent probes in search of techniques for earlier detection of Alzheimer’s Disease
- Design and synthesis of organic mechanochromic materials for applications in sensors, probes and security inks
- Green (metal-free and solvent-free) polymerizations
- Strategies and teaching tools to increase student engagement and motivate students to learn chemistry for in-person and online chemistry classes
Dr. Lorrie Comeford
I am interested in discovering and implementing educational practices that increase student retention and learning – particularly in introductory courses. My most recent project assessed the effect of attendance policies on student retention and learning. Currently, I am investigating students’ experience with group work and active learning.
Dr. Luke Conlin
Active Research Projects:
- DC-Models (NSF DRK12) - A collaboration with MIT and Washington, DC Public Schools to integrate computational modeling in high school STEM classrooms
- Solve-It: Assessing and Supporting Algebra Skills in Physics
- Family Astronomy Workshops
- Pedagogical Innovations in Physics Classrooms
- Want to get involved with one of these research projects? Email me!
Interested in getting involved in education research, but don't know how to start? Come to the SSU-PER DBER Group (pronounced "Super Duper Group") weekly meeting! Email me for details!
Dr. Ronald MacTaylor
Dr. MacTaylor has collaborated with several students on research projects, including Commonwealth Honor’s Program Honor’s Thesis projects- including The Physics of Skydiving and The Physics of Motocross Track Design. If students with unique interests want to collaborate – reach out!
Dr. Fidelis Manyanga
There are three main areas of research in our laboratory:
(a) First, we investigate the thermodynamics of macromolecular binding of proteins and nucleic acids using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
(b) Second, we investigate Human Serum Albumin (HSA), a major fatty acid (FA) binding protein in plasma that is responsible for the transport and utilization of many biological adducts.
(c) Lastly, we research new drug discovery strategies and therapeutics aimed at delivering personalized medicine. Isatins (synonyms: 1H-Indole-2, 3-dione, Indole-2, 3-dione) are a heterocyclic aromatic compounds that possess a broad range of biological and pharmacological properties. An active area of research in our laboratory involves synthesis of pharmaceutically active Isatin derivatives that display antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, and other inhibitory properties.
Dr. Kristin Pangallo
- Organic contaminants in the environment – The Pangallo Lab is interested in understanding the origin, transfer and fate of different persistent organic compounds that occur at relatively low concentrations in the environment. This work includes both naturally produced compounds and pollutants. Current projects include examining both well-characterized contaminants, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and emerging contaminants, such as PFAS. We are also interested in improving our extraction and analysis efficiency to reduce the amount of organic solvents required.
- Project-based learning – The Pangallo Lab works to ensure “doing science” is part of science labs. As such, we are working to incorporate more projects into our general chemistry lab sequence. Previous student work in this area has involved examining how to best incorporate our department’s evolving instrument holdings into our curriculum.
- Science of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) – The Pangallo Lab is also curious to better understand how students perceive their courses, their overall experience, and themselves as scientists and scholars. Previous research students have developed surveys and analyzed survey data, practicing data analysis and statistics.
Dr. Jayashree Ranga
Dr. Ranga’s research is centered around exploring low-cost high impact interventions at Salem State University to promote long-term student success. She has adopted technology-infused teaching, semi-flipped classrooms, active/collaborative learning, and makeshift HyFlex classroom models in her courses. In collaboration with the Northeastern Section of American Chemical Society, she has engaged students in STEM outreach events at the Museum of Science, Boston.
Dr. Todd Wimpfheimer
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Molecular modeling with Spartan Student software
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Student active learning using methods like Guided Inquiry and ConcepTests
- Designing and executing chemistry laboratory escape rooms
Dr. Mustafa Yatin
I invite our students to explore exciting research opportunities in the following areas:
- Examining Sustainable and Innovative Approaches for Inorganic and Organic Synthesis and Environmental and Food Samples Analysis.
Example studies completed with SSU students:
- Determination of the Presence of Alterants in Commercially Available Herbs and Spices, Mendel, C., & Yatin, M. (2015, August). In ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY (Vol. 250).
- Microwave-Assisted Friedel-Crafts Synthesis of Methyl Acetophenone by Using Eco-Friendly Clay Catalyst, Sandland, C., Douglass, M., & Yatin, M. (2016, August). In ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY (Vol. 252).
- Water Quality Assessment and Determination of Pollution Sources in Souss-Masa Basin in Agadir, Morocco, Madi, A., Hadjeres, H., Youssef, H., Boutaleb, S., Husseine, B., & Yatin, M. (2016, August). In ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY (Vol. 252).
- Evaluating The Antibacterial Activity of Greener Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles As An Example of Sustainable Nanoscience In Early Undergraduate Curriculum, K Biv - 2022 - Digitalrepository.salemstate.edu
- Exploring Nuclear Science Radio-imaging for Medical Applications, Environmental Isotope Studies, Neutron Activation Analysis (In Collaboration with MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory), and the Study of Nuclear Energy.
Example Study:
- Trace Element Composition of Atmospheric Aerosols in Ankara, Turkey, Determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis, Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Volume 181: Issue 2, Pages: 401–411
Example studies completed with SSU students:
- Cyclotron Production of Radioisotopes in Nuclear Medicine, Marina Enriquez and Mateo Arroyave, Research Day 2023 May 8 Undergraduate Research Symposium, Gassett Basketball Gymnasium and O'Keefe classrooms
- The Use of Radiopharmaceuticals in Bone Imaging and Treatment of Bone Disease, Justin Panetta, Research Day 2023 May 8 Undergraduate Research Symposium, Gassett Basketball Gymnasium and O'Keefe classrooms
- The Use of Technetium-99m in Myocardial Perfusion Imaging, Danielle Faraczek, and Danielle Campbell, 22nd Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2019
- Evaluation of Naval Nuclear Energy, Sarah Foster and Marilyn Chan, 19th Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2016
- Engaging in Thoughtful Philosophical and Ethical Evaluations of the Present State of Green Chemistry in Academic Research and Chemical Technologies.
Example Studies:
- Historical and Philosophical Evaluation of Green Chemistry, Yatin, ACS Fall 2021, Presentation.
- Shades of Green Chemistry, Yatin, and Warner, ACS Fall 2015, Presentation.99
Dr. Ya Zhou
My scholarly expertise and research interests are in the fields of (1) Organic Chemistry (synthetic methodology development for heterocyclic molecule synthesis); (2) Medicinal Chemistry (Tuberculosis, CNS diseases); and (3) Biochemistry (cytotoxicity profiling). Heterocyclic chemistry is a large branch of Organic Chemistry studying the organic molecules containing heteroatoms such as nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous and etc. It plays a critical role in the drug discovery process, and more than 75% of drugs approved by the FDA and currently available in the market are nitrogen-containing heterocyclic moieties. Therefore, nitrogen-containing small polyfunctionalized heterocyclic molecules have gained great attention in the design of biologically active compounds in pharmaceutical industry, as well as in academic community.
In the field of Tuberculosis treatment, the resistance to current antitubercular drugs has required urgent efforts to identify unique effective chemical entities that inhibit new therapeutic targets. My research interest at SSU focuses on the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic molecule such as 5, 6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,6-naphthyridines, with the ultimate goal of discovering new Mycobacterium Tuberculosis inhibitors.