Faculty | Chemistry | SIU

Research interests: Design and implementation of longitudinal, professional development programs to support STEM educators’ application of evidence-based pedagogical and mentorship practices that foster equitable K-16 STEM academic student outcomes. Design of original, standards-aligned, inquiry-based K-12 science instruction and assessment. Use and innovative critical theories to explain and displace longstanding disparities in achievement among various student communities in formal STEM learning settings. Innovations include the integration of critical race and LatCrit theories with other theoretical frameworks such as social constructivism, forms of capital, and fictive kinship.

Research Interest:

We are interested in the physical properties of self-assembled porous compositions relevant to light-driven chemistry and energy conversion. Our research aims to unveil the unique physicochemical behavior of molecular assemblies that are unattainable in the solution dissolved phase. The knowledge is used as a feed to design new compositions with improved photophysical and photochemical properties. Thus, our work expands organic synthesis, assembly chemistry, and characterization, along with numerous photophysical, electrochemical, and photoelectrochemical investigations. These include state-of-the-art time-resolved spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The results may address the global sustainable energy demand.

We study the structures and functions of biomacromolecules, such as proteins and RNAs, that participate in vital biological processes including RNA interference (RNAi), telomere maintenance, and antiviral innate immunity in mammalian cells. We employ a range of tools, including X-ray crystallography, NMR, and techniques of biochemistry, molecular & cellular biology, in our research. The goals of our research are two-fold: 1) to reveal the structural and mechanistic details of the biological pathways under investigation; 2) to develop therapeutic strategies based on manipulation of these pathways.

We design, synthesize and test novel carbon-based ionic materials for fuel cells, CO₂ separation and other clean energy projects.

Understanding complex systems at the molecular level is important but difficult using experiments alone. Computer simulations based on fundamental physical and chemical principles can complement experiments and provide new insights into the behavior of these systems. My research program is centered on the investigation of the molecular processes that govern materials processing and catalytic properties with applications in clean energy and sustainable development. State-of-the-art theoretical methods combined with molecular simulations are employed in our research. 

Current research interests of the Goodson Group: NMR and MRI enjoy wide applicability but suffer from poor detection sensitivity.  For this reason, imaging and spectroscopy of low-concentration species—such as gases in lung spaces or metabolites in tissues—can be particularly challenging.  To combat such problems, we are pursuing two “hyperpolarization” methods: (1) spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP), a technique whereby high-power lasers are used to prepare hyperpolarized noble gases (primarily for enhanced biological imaging and spectroscopic applications); and (2) Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange ("SABRE"), a chemical process where organometallic catalysts are used to transfer the high nuclear spin order of para-hydrogen to molecular agents for applications—including for ultimate use as metabolic MRI contrast agents to probe responses to treatment of various diseases.

Current research interests of the Kinsel Group include:

The synthesis and optimization of Matrix-Assisted Laser/Desorption Ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry based bioselective sensors for the discovery of novel cellular biomarkers.

The investigation of laser initiated donor to biomolecule intracluster proton transfer for the elucidation of the mechanism of MALDI analyte ionization.

We focus on the design, synthesis, characterization and applications of nanoscale materials functionalized with (bio)chemical molecules/polymers. We are particularly interested in the fabrication of biosensors based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer mechanism;self- and forced assembly of nanomaterials; template-synthesis of novel nanotubes and nanowires; and controlling and probing nanoscale environments inside of nanotubes.

Reseach keywords: Toxicology and Analytical Chemistry 

The major research foci of the Lydy laboratory include evaluating the fate and effects of agrochemicals, studying the effects of multiple stressors on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and developing a better understanding of the chemical and biological factors affecting toxicity, bioavailability and bioaccumulation.

Research in the McCarroll Group involves the application of analytical chemistry to solve complex chemical problems with an emphasis in the area of molecular spectroscopy. Current investigations include systems involving molecular and chiral recognition. We also have an interest in the development of fluorescent sensors and pseudostationary phases for use in micellar capillary electrophoresis (MCE). The primary techniques used in our laboratory include steady-state and time-resolved (ps) fluorescence spectroscopy, capillary electrophoresis and fluorescence polarization. 

Dr. McCarroll is the founding director of the Fermentation Science Institute. 

Use of infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy, protein semisynthesis and site-specific labeling techniques to:

1. Examine the structures and physical properties of β-sheet rich biological materials and use this information in biomaterials design.

2. Investigate the functional roles of fast (fs-ps) vibrational dynamics in the functions of photoactive proteins, electron transfer proteins and enzymes.

Research in the Plunkett group utilizes self-assembly motifs and the tools of synthetic and physical chemistry to address problems at the interface of chemistry and materials science. Our target molecules are 1) functionalizable cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (CP-PAHs) that can be utilized as acceptor materials, 2) conjugated polymers that adopt well-defined nanostructures, and 3) smart surfaces for biomacromolecule immobilization.

Area of interests

My group employs an interdisciplinary approach to examine processes that have a significant impact on the global carbon cycle, alternative energy, and biomedicine. We use tools from chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, transient state kinetics, spectroscopy, and biophysics to develop a molecular understanding of the proteins involved in electron transport coupled with energy conservation and stress response in anaerobic microbes. Our lab focuses on three major areas: (i) understanding the microbial metabolism of methane formation and oxidation; (ii) Developing probiotics (archaebiotics) to combat cardiovascular disease by preventing the accumulation of trimethylamine (TMA) in the human gut by investigating the biochemistry and physiology of human-associated methanogens; (ii) Define the energy metabolism of bile acid utilizing, bacteremia causing, and colon and liver cancer-associated anaerobic gut bacteria Eggerthella lenta, under different reducing environments, focusing on characterizing the membrane-bound energy-yielding Rnf complex to target for the drug development.

My research focus encompasses the interfaces between electroanalysis, sensing/biosensing and microfluidics.

Research Emphasis

Analytical; Molecular Spectroscopy; Chemical Analysis; Environmental; Organized Media

The Wang research group is currently interested in: (1) the study of electron excitation and transfer processes for solar cell materials, photodynamic therapy photosensitizers, fluorescence sensors, and other optoelectronic devices; (2) the study of transition metal nanoparticles to understand their catalytic activities for oxygen reduction reaction, hydrogen production from methane and ethanol, and complete oxidation of ethanol as well as their formation and toxicity; (3) the assessment of various functionals in Density Functional Theory (DFT) in describing accurately electronic and optical properties of materials and the development of pragmatic techniques to improve the accuracy of DFT in describing electron excitation processes.