Curriculum Vitae

ADDRESS:

Department of Chemistry

BIRTH:

December 12, 1949

Texas A&M University

Hibbing, Minnesota

P. O. Box 30012

College Station, Texas 77843

Fax:      979-845-9452

EDUCATION:

B.A. College of St. Thomas St. Paul, MN (1972)

major:  Biochemistry

minor:  Chemistry 

advisor: Dr. W.W. Cleland

POSTDOCTORAL:
STUDIES

The Pennsylvania State University (1976-1980)

Department of Chemistry

Supervisor: Dr. Joseph J. Villafranca

PROFESSIONAL:
APPOINTMENTS

Department of Chemistry

Biochemistry & Biophysics

Texas A&M University

1992-1993

Visiting Professor

Enzyme Institute
University of Wisconsin

1986-1989

Associate Professor

Department of Chemistry
Department of Biochemistry

1980-1986

Assistant Professor

Department of Chemistry
Texas A&M University

HONORS:

2000

TAMU Association of Former Students Award for Research

1985-1990

NIH Research Career Development Award

1982-1984

NIH New Investigator Research Award

1978-1979

NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship

1974-1975

Gulf Oil Fellowship

1973-1974

Wharton Fellowship

PROFESSIONAL:
SOCIETIES

Protein Society

American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (1982)

American Chemical Society

American Association for the Advancement of Science

RESEARCH:
INTERESTS

Elucidation of enzyme reaction mechanisms and protein structure using kinetic, magnetic resonance, X-ray crystallography, and genetic techniques.

Tunnels and Channels in Proteins.  We are deconstructing the function and molecular architecture of tunnels that connect multiple active sites with a particular focus on the mechanism of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase and cobyric acid synthetase.

Catalytic Mechanisms.  We are elucidating the chemical mechanisms for phosphotriesterase, dihydroorotase and other members of the amidohydrolase superfamily of enzymes.  Our particular interest is in the role of the mononuclear and binuclear metal centers for substrate activation.

Evolution and Design of Catalytic Activities.  Using the amidohydrolase superfamily as a molecular template we are modifying the substrate and reaction specificity through combinatorial and rational alterations to the enzyme active sites.  Our immediate goals are to develop new enzymes for the catalytic destruction of chemical warfare agents and the kinetic resolution of chiral phosphorus centers.

Catalytic Archaeology and Enzyme Discovery.  We are interested in determining the physical basis for the relationships between protein sequence, structure, and function.  Strategies are being developed in collaboration with other research groups for assigning enzyme activities to proteins of unknown function.  

CURRENT

RESEARCH:
SUPPORT