Faculty

Dr. Ed Brush (Organic, Environmental)
Dr. Frank Gorga (Biochemistry)
Dr. Cielito DeRamos-King (Chair, Analytical, Environ.)
Dr. Chifuru Noda (Physical)
Dr. Steven Haefner (Inorganic, Organometallic)
Dr. Stephen Waratuke (Organic, Organometallic)
Dr. Samer Lone (Biochemistry)

Faculty Emeritus

Dr. Vahe Marganian (Inorganic)

Visiting Lecturers

Sarah Morse
Laurie Norman
William Reinhart
Mary Jo Sabalewski
Charles Wohlers

Staff

Christina Toner (Admin. Asst. I)
Jane Doherty (Lab. Manager)
Joe Keen (Lab. Coordinator)
Iana Mandravel-Hutchins (Lab. Instructor)

Frank Gorga (HomePage)

Professor of Chemistry
B.S. Adelphi University (Biology)
Ph.D. Dartmouth College
fgorga@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2827, Conant 314A

Research Interests:
Biochemistry

Recent Courses:
Biochemistry I/II (CHEM 461/462)
Advanced Biochemistry Lab (CHEM 466)
Computers in Chemistry (CHEM 100)

Edward Brush (HomePage)

Associate Professor of Chemistry
B.S. Kings College
Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University
ebrush@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2116, Conant 318

Research Interests:
Over the past ten years I have mentored over thirty BSC research students, many of whom are currently attending graduate school or teaching high school science. My "bioorganic team" is synthesizing simple organic compounds as potential therapeutic agents. The "energy team" is investigating efficient methods to produce BSC biodiesel. Prospective high school teachers are developing green chemistry lab materials and unit plans that follow the State frameworks. My student collaborators and I present our work at the annual American Chemical Society conference, and the BSC Undergraduate Research Symposium. BSC science students who want to learn more about these projects can contact me at any time.

Recent Courses:
Chemical Principles I/II (CHEM 141/142)
Green Chemistry (special topic, CHEM 490)
Honor Research Colloquium (CHEM 135H)
Research in Chemistry (CHEM 390)

Cielito (Tammy) DeRamos King (HomePage)

Department Chair
Associate Professor of Chemistry
B.S. University of the Philippines
Ph.D. University of Cincinnati, OH
c2king@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2115, Conant 320

Research Interests:
My current research focuses on studying the extent of contamination of soil with arsenic leaching from in-service pressure treated lumber (such as play structures, picnic tables, decks and fences). Arsenic is a major component of the pesticide chromated copper arsentate or CCa used in pressure-treated lumber to prevent rot. To determine the possible human risk of exposure to arsenic from contaminated soil, total and bioaccessible arsenic is determined from soil samples using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Another aspect of this research involves determination of risk of exposure to arsenic from direct contact with CCA-treated wood.

Recent Courses:
Everyday Chemistry (CHEM102)
Environmental Chemistry (CHEM 290)
Quantitative Chemical Analysis (CHEM 241)
Instrumental Analysis (CHEM 450)
Pollution Prevention and Environmental Chemical Analysis (special topics, CHEM 490)
Chemistry, Crime & Society (2nd year Seminar, CHEM299)

Chifuru (Chief) Noda (HomePage)

Assistant Professor of Chemistry
B.Sc. & M.Sc. Kobe University, Japan
Ph.D. Stanford University, CA
cnoda@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2998, Conant 203

Research Interests:
Physical Chemistry

Recent Courses:
Physical Chemsitry I/II (CHEM 381/382)
Chemical Principles I/II (CHEM 141/142)
Survey of Chemistry I (CHEM 131)

Steven Haefner (HomePage)

Associate Professor of Chemistry
B.S. UCLA
Ph.D. Michigan State University
shaefner@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2984, Conant 322

Research Interests:
Synthesis, spectroscopy and structures of transition metal coordination and organometallic complexes with particular emphasis on bi- and polymetallic systems. Applications in the areas of metal carbohydrate chemistry, catalysis, molecular recognition, metal-metal bonded assemblies, and the development of supramolecular systems.

Recent Courses:
Intermediate and Advanced Inorganic (CHEM 242, 444)
Chemical Principles I/II (CHEM 141/142)
Survey of Chemistry I/II (CHEM 131/132)
Laboratory Techniques (CHEM 492)
Undergraduate Research (CHEM 390)
Honor Research Colloquium (CHEM 135H)
Practicum Supervisor for Accelerated Post-Baculaurate

Stephen Waratuke (HomePage)

Assistant Professor of Chemistry
B.S. Univ. of Pittsburgh
Ph.D. Purdue University
swaratuke@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2114, Conant 316

Research Interests:
We are engaged in the synthesis and spectroscopic studies of titanium aryloxide, arylsulfide, carbamate, and related organic compounds and their use as catalysts for organic transformations. The development of these organometallic compounds, (existing and novel systems) for hydroamination and cross-coupling reactions of alkenes and alkynes is our current focus. The research work is driven by engaged student collaboration with our undergraduate majors.

Recent Courses:
Organic I and II  (CHEM 343, 344)
Organic I and II Labs (CHEM 343L, 344l
Survey of Chemistry I (CHEM 131)
Environmental Organometallic Chemistry (special topic, CHEM 490)
Advanced Organic, Environmental, Research Problems in Chemistry (CHEM 390)
Computers in Chemistry (CHEM 100)

Samer Lone (HomePage)

Assistant Professor of Chemistry
B.S. Oakland University
Ph.D. Wayne State University
Post-Doc. Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, NYC
samer.lone@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2091, Conant 316

Research Interests:
Biochemistry
Maintaining the integrity of DNA is essential for the survival of all living organisms. Cellular DNA is under constant assault by a variety of internal and external sources. For example, exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays has the ability to cause DNA base pairs to crosslink, which potentially could lead to skin cancer. Cells have evolved a variety of mechanisms to repair resulting damaged DNA, but some of these lesions remain and increase the potential for mutagenesis. In addition to having the ability to alter the DNA's coding potential, DNA lesions present severe blocks to normal DNA replication. The recent discovery of a large group of translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) polymerases, the Y-superfamily, has shed light on how cells are able to handle DNA lesions. Unlike replicative DNA polymerases, this family of DNA polymerases has the ability to traverse a variety of DNA lesions. Understanding how these DNA polymerases are able to bypass DNA lesions has obvious implications toward mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. In our lab, we use a variety of molecular, biochemical, and structural techniques to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these DNA polymerases are able to bypass specific DNA carcinogens

Recent Courses:
Biochemistry I/II (CHEM 461/462)
Advanced Biochemistry Lab (CHEM 466)
Research in Chemistry (CHEM 390)
Survey of Chemistry II (CHEM 132)

Vahe Marganian
Professor Emeritus
B.S. Cal. State San Francisco
Ph.D. Clemson University
vmarganian@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2235 ext. 6500, Conant 203A

Sarah Morse
Visiting Lecturer
s4morse@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2235 ext. 6142, Conant 324

Laurie Norman
Visiting Lecturer
lnorman@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2235 ext.6563, Conant 324

William Reinhart
Visiting Lecturer
breinhart@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2235 ext. 6559, Conant 324

Mary Jo Sabalewski
Visiting Lecturer
mjsabalewski@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2235 ext. 6574, Conant 324

Charles Wohlers
Visiting Lecturer
cwohlers@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2235 ext. 6569, Conant 324

Christina Toner
Administrative Assistant I
ctoner@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-1233, Conant 314

Jane Doherty
Laboratory Manager
j2doherty@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2818, Conant 324

Joe Keen
Laboratory Coordinator
jkeen@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2112, Conant 324

Iana Mandravel-Hutchins (Homepage)
Laboratory Instructor
ihutchins@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-2114, Conant 203A