Grad Programs
Pharmacognosy Graduate Program Faculty
James McKee PhD
Currently, my research is focused in two areas, (1) preparation and antibiotic activity of sulfonanilides and sulfones; and (2) the use of the trihalomethyl group to prepare heterocyclic compounds. Sulfonanilides and sulfones were amongst the...
Director, Graduate Programs in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacognosy
Professor of Chemistry
j [dot] mckee [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8847
Currently, my research is focused in two areas, (1) preparation and antibiotic activity of sulfonanilides and sulfones; and (2) the use of the trihalomethyl group to prepare heterocyclic compounds. Sulfonanilides and sulfones were amongst the...
John R. Porter PhD
We work at the interface among cell biology, biotechnology and natural products biology/chemistry. We are actively pursuing alternate sources for known medicinal compounds, discovery of novel medicinal compounds, and application of natural products...
Director, Graduate Program in Biological Sciences
Professor of Biology
Research Professor of Pharmacognosy
j [dot] porter [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8917
We work at the interface among cell biology, biotechnology and natural products biology/chemistry. We are actively pursuing alternate sources for known medicinal compounds, discovery of novel medicinal compounds, and application of natural products...
Randy J. Zauhar MS, PhD
Shape signatures is a novel technique for computer-aided drug design developed over the last few years by USP associate professor of biochemistry Randy Zauhar and collaborators. It is a system for compactly representing the shape of drug...
Director, Graduate Program in Bioinformatics
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Associate Professor of Bioinformatics
Research Associate Professor of Biophysics
r [dot] zauhar [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8691
Shape signatures is a novel technique for computer-aided drug design developed over the last few years by USP associate professor of biochemistry Randy Zauhar and collaborators. It is a system for compactly representing the shape of drug...
James McKee PhD
Currently, my research is focused in two areas, (1) preparation and antibiotic activity of sulfonanilides and sulfones; and (2) the use of the trihalomethyl group to prepare heterocyclic compounds. Sulfonanilides and sulfones were amongst the...
Director, Graduate Programs in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacognosy
Professor of Chemistry
j [dot] mckee [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8847
Currently, my research is focused in two areas, (1) preparation and antibiotic activity of sulfonanilides and sulfones; and (2) the use of the trihalomethyl group to prepare heterocyclic compounds. Sulfonanilides and sulfones were amongst the...
Adeboye Adejare PhD
My group is interested in the areas of design and synthesis of small organic molecules to probe neurodegeneration. We are also interested in in vitro models of drug absorption and ability to cross blood brain barrier; drug targeting;...
Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
a [dot] adejar [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8944
My group is interested in the areas of design and synthesis of small organic molecules to probe neurodegeneration. We are also interested in in vitro models of drug absorption and ability to cross blood brain barrier; drug targeting;...
Catherine Bentzley PhD
The rapid and enormous expansion in the biotechnology revolution has caused increased interest in determining exact molecular weights of biological systems. Mass spectrometry offers a quick and convenient method for determining accurate...
Associate Professor of Chemistry
c [dot] bentzl [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8581
The rapid and enormous expansion in the biotechnology revolution has caused increased interest in determining exact molecular weights of biological systems. Mass spectrometry offers a quick and convenient method for determining accurate...
Edward R. Birnbaum PhD
Lanthanide spectroscopy The incomplete 4f subshells of the lanthanide ions Ce3+ to Yb3+ result in a variety of magnetic and spectroscopic properties that are of interest from both a theoretical and practical perspective. For example, gadolinium (...
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry
e [dot] birnba [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8834
Lanthanide spectroscopy The incomplete 4f subshells of the lanthanide ions Ce3+ to Yb3+ result in a variety of magnetic and spectroscopic properties that are of interest from both a theoretical and practical perspective. For example, gadolinium (...
Michael Bruist PhD
The research in my laboratory investigates various aspects of the chemistry of DNA and its interaction with proteins. The IHF-DNA Complex Integration host factor (IHF) is a bacterial protein that bends DNA so that sites that are separated along...
Associate Professor of Biochemistry
m [dot] bruist [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8530
The research in my laboratory investigates various aspects of the chemistry of DNA and its interaction with proteins. The IHF-DNA Complex Integration host factor (IHF) is a bacterial protein that bends DNA so that sites that are separated along...
Ara DerMarderosian PhD
My research interests include pharmacognosy, medicinal chemistry, and nutraceuticals. We focus on hallucinogenic botanicals: medicinal and poisonous plants and their phytochemistry and pharmacology; marine pharmaceuticals; drugs of abuse; and...
Abraham and Edythe Roth Chair in Pharmacognosy/Natural Products
Professor of Pharmacognosy
Research Professor of Medicinal Chemistry
a [dot] dermar [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8915
My research interests include pharmacognosy, medicinal chemistry, and nutraceuticals. We focus on hallucinogenic botanicals: medicinal and poisonous plants and their phytochemistry and pharmacology; marine pharmaceuticals; drugs of abuse; and...
Elisabetta Fasella, PhD
My research interests are in the area of bioorganic chemistry. We are currently working on two projects. The first project involves the synthesis of mimics of the cofactor of phenylalanine ammonia lyase and their evaluation as catalysts for the...
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
e [dot] fasell [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.7514
My research interests are in the area of bioorganic chemistry. We are currently working on two projects. The first project involves the synthesis of mimics of the cofactor of phenylalanine ammonia lyase and their evaluation as catalysts for the...
Peter J. Harvison PhD
My research interests are primarily concerned with the effects of metabolism on the biological activity of chemicals (including drugs) to which humans and other mammals may be exposed. Although metabolism usually results in the formation of nontoxic...
The Leonard & Madlyn Abramson Chair in Pharmacology
Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Professor of Medicinal Chemistry
p [dot] harvis [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8979
My research interests are primarily concerned with the effects of metabolism on the biological activity of chemicals (including drugs) to which humans and other mammals may be exposed. Although metabolism usually results in the formation of nontoxic...
Yumee Koo PhD
I am interested in the study of the mechanisms of macromolecular interactions, including protein-lipid and protein-inhibitor interactions. Efforts are focused on the characterization of proteins using biochemical and spectrometric techniques and the...
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry
y [dot] koo [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.7546
I am interested in the study of the mechanisms of macromolecular interactions, including protein-lipid and protein-inhibitor interactions. Efforts are focused on the characterization of proteins using biochemical and spectrometric techniques and the...
Zhijun Li PhD
My current research efforts focus on utilizing computational and bioinformatics methods to gain insight into protein sequence, structure and function relationships and to explore their application in molecular modeling, drug design and protein...
Associate Professor of Bioinformatics
Research Assistant Professor of Cell Biology and Biotechnology
z [dot] li [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.7539
My current research efforts focus on utilizing computational and bioinformatics methods to gain insight into protein sequence, structure and function relationships and to explore their application in molecular modeling, drug design and protein...
Madhu Mahalingam PhD
I am interested in the development and adoption of new methodologies in chemistry instruction that promote a shift from faculty-centered teaching to student-centered learning, such that students improve their understanding of Chemistry, their...
Assistant Chair, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
m [dot] mahali [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.7549
I am interested in the development and adoption of new methodologies in chemistry instruction that promote a shift from faculty-centered teaching to student-centered learning, such that students improve their understanding of Chemistry, their...
Preston Moore PhD
My research focuses on the development and use of condensed phase, molecular simulation methods to investigate chemical problems. An understanding of the fundamental physical laws governing the interactions between atoms and molecules can be used to...
Director, West Center for Computational Chemistry and Drug Design
Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
p [dot] moore [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.7537
My research focuses on the development and use of condensed phase, molecular simulation methods to investigate chemical problems. An understanding of the fundamental physical laws governing the interactions between atoms and molecules can be used to...
Elisabeth Morlino PhD
Assistant Chair, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
e [dot] morlin [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215-596-7469
Bela Peethambaran PhD
Dr. Peethambaran earned a PhD from Mississippi State University working with maize silk proteins. She has completed postdoctoral studies at the University of Minnesota and a teaching postdoctoral appointment at Villanova University. Her...
Assistant Professor of Biology
b [dot] peethambaran [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8923
Dr. Peethambaran earned a PhD from Mississippi State University working with maize silk proteins. She has completed postdoctoral studies at the University of Minnesota and a teaching postdoctoral appointment at Villanova University. Her...
Vojislava Pophristic PhD
Research interests of my group focus on the application of computational chemistry methods to study various aspects of biochemical, organic, and inorganic systems. We combine accurate quantum chemistry and ab initio molecular dynamics methods...
Chair, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Associate Professor of Chemistry
v [dot] pophri [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8551
Research interests of my group focus on the application of computational chemistry methods to study various aspects of biochemical, organic, and inorganic systems. We combine accurate quantum chemistry and ab initio molecular dynamics methods...
Frederick T. Schaefer PhD
Modification of solvent dynamics by dissolved polymer in solutions has been documented. This phenomenon has implication for analytical techniques where polymer properties are derived from solution properties via the assumption that the solvent is a...
Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
f [dot] schaef [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8842
Modification of solvent dynamics by dissolved polymer in solutions has been documented. This phenomenon has implication for analytical techniques where polymer properties are derived from solution properties via the assumption that the solvent is a...
Julian Snow PhD
Relationships between protein structure and function have long been studied with a variety of techniques. Scanning calorimetry (DSC) and its newer cousin, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), are capable of yielding a wealth of thermodynamic...
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
j [dot] snow [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8837
Relationships between protein structure and function have long been studied with a variety of techniques. Scanning calorimetry (DSC) and its newer cousin, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), are capable of yielding a wealth of thermodynamic...
Rodney J Wigent PhD
Expertise: Graduate Education, University Administration, Research Administration, Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics, Pharmaceutics (Drug Delivery), Electrolyte Solutions, Effect of Water on Drug Excipients and Biological Systems Trained as a...
Dean, College of Graduate Studies
Director, Office of Research Administration
Research Professor of Pharmaceutics
Professor of Chemistry
r [dot] wigent [at] usciences [dot] edu | 215.596.8974
Expertise: Graduate Education, University Administration, Research Administration, Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics, Pharmaceutics (Drug Delivery), Electrolyte Solutions, Effect of Water on Drug Excipients and Biological Systems Trained as a...