Group Members
The Brasch Group in January 2011.
Graduate Students
Anthony Giovengo
About me: My name is Anthony Giovengo, and I was born and raised near Wheeling, WV amid the rolling foothills of the Appalachians. In my undergraduate studies at West Virginia University I developed a passion for research, graduating cum laude in Chemistry-emphasized Biochemistry. This drive naturally led me to Kent State University, where I am currently aiming to complete my Ph.D. with the Brasch Group.
Research interests: My primary scientific interests revolve around medicinally relevant small molecule interactions; however Biochemistry in general has always fascinated me. Studying the transport, storage and general interactions of Vitamin B12 on the cellular level provides an excellent avenue to pursue these interests.
Other interests: Technology, running, cooking, brewing, rugby, basketball, independent music, motorsport, quirky humor.
Yang (Joe) Zhou
About me: I am from China. My hometown is Yichang, which has a world famous reputation for the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River. I chose chemistry and would like to continue my studies, because I thoroughly enjoy developing new molecules that have specific predicted functions. I am now working in the Brasch Group at Kent State University to pursue my Ph.D. in chemistry.
Research Interests: TBA
Other Interests: Swimming, Traveling, Movies and Music.
Rohan Dassanayake
About me. I am from the island of Sri Lanka, which is known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean. The name of my home town is Kandy. It is famous for many temples and could be called the cultural capital of the island. The most renowned temple in Kandy is the temple of the tooth relic. I majored in chemistry at the University of Peradeniya. Subsequently I joined the Brasch Group as part of the PhD program in Chemistry at Kent State University.
Research Interests. My work involves the study of the reactions of Vitamin B12 derivatives with reactive oxygen species in terms of their kinetics and mechanistic behavior.
Other Interests. Playing Cricket, Watching TV, Listening to music
Harishchandra Subedi
About me. I am from Nepal, the country of Mt. Everest – the highest peak in the world. I completed my Master’s Degree in Inorganic Chemistry from Tribhuvan University, Nepal in 2004. I came to Kent State University in August 2008 to join the PhD program in Chemistry. I am now working in the Brasch Group.
Research Interests. I am interested to work with Vitamin B12 derivatives and currently synthesizing some of the cobalamins and studying the vanadium binding with them.
Other Interests. Watching comedy movies, visiting new places and listening to music.
Undergraduate Students
Andrew Hunt
About me: I was born in Columbus OH, where I lived the majority of my life until I started attending Kent State University. I came to college with the initial thought that I wanted to go to pharmacy school but changed my mind mid sophomore year after taking a real interest in my chemistry courses and talking with multiple advisors. The conversations I had with them are where I realized that I would much rather be helping make or discover new chemicals and biochemical pathways to aid people instead of helping to distribute them. I am now pursuing my B.S. in chemistry with a biochemistry concentration and minor in biology, with the intent to attend a graduate school and then obtain a job in a biomedical field of study.
Research Interests: I joined the Brasch Group because I am interested in the chemistry behind biological molecules such as vitamin B12 – their reactivity, mechanisms and the applications they hold in living organisms. I am currently studying the reactions of cobalamins with reactive oxygen species.
Other Interests: Playing guitar, exercising, the great outdoors, traveling, trying new foods, grilling/cooking, good movies, and learning about the universe.
David Walker
About me: I was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but I have spent most of my life in Northeastern Ohio. I am currently pursuing a degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry. I joined the Brasch Group in July of 2010. I became involved in this group because I wanted to know what it was like to participate in research, and I also wanted to learn more about the fascinating chemistry of vitamin B12.
Research Interests: I am currently focusing on the kinetics of vitamin B12 derivatives, such as glutathionylcobalamin, nitrosylcobalamin and nitrocobalamin, reacting with different species. More generally speaking, I am interested in Bioinorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry.
Other Interests: Playing hockey, soccer and golf; reading and camping.
Jeff Brown
About me: My name is Jeffrey Brown, and I joined the Brasch Group in the summer of 2010 through the REU program. I am from Tallmadge, OH and currently entering my junior year at Kent State pursuing a B.S. in biochemistry.
Research and Academic Interests: I decided to pursue research because I wanted to gain more knowledge on modern research techniques (including instrumentation), and learn more about the chemistry of bioinorganic compounds. Currently I am conducting equilibrium studies on vitamin B12 derivatives. I have enjoyed the time spent this summer working under Dr. Brasch’s supervision, and plan to continue working in the lab throughout my undergraduate studies.
Other interests: Fishing, Gardening, Traveling, Running, Grappling, Reading, and Music.