Past Group Members
Graduate Students
Hanaa Hassanin
About me. I am from Egypt. I completed my B.Sc degree in Chemistry and my Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry at the Ain Shams University in Cairo, and am a professor at this university. I came to Ohio in September 2007 to carry out part of my Ph.D studies under the supervision of Dr. Nicola Brasch, on a scholarship provided by the Egyptian government. I returned to Egypt in September 2009 and expect to complete my PhD thesis early in 2010.
Research Interests. In the Brasch Group I carried out studies on the reactions between cobalamins and NONOate compounds.
Other Interests. Reading, watching moves, spending more time with my kids and chatting online with my mother.
Luciana Hannibal
About me. I was born in Uruguay (34°53‘S, 56°10’W). I obtained my degree (BSc) at the “Universidad de la República” (Montevideo, Uruguay) in Biochemistry. During my undergraduate studies I worked on the biochemistry of free radicals. I was especially interested in the use of manganese porphyrins to protect biologically relevant targets against the damage provoked by oxidant species such as the deleterious peroxynitrite, which is produced under certain pathological circumstances. This research work ended up not only with my degree but also with a publication.
Research Interests. I joined the labs of Dr. Nicola Brasch and Dr. Donald Jacobsen in July 2005 to work in the research area of vitamin B12 and am part of the PhD collaborative program between Kent State University and the Cleveland Clinic. I have recently completed studies on the chemistry of nitrosylcobalamin, a vitamin B12 derivative with controversial biological effects. Both the synthesis and the characterization of this compound were carried out. My current research focus is cobalamin processing in mammalian cells and I am carrying out this work in the lab of Dr. Jacobsen at the Lerner Research Institute, Department of Cell Biology, at the Cleveland Clinic.
Michael Radomski
About me. I am a native Ohioan, and my family lives in Youngstown. I have a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, completed in 2006 under the supervision of Dr Nicola Brasch.
Research Interests. My project was involved with the synthesis of vitamin B12 bioconjugates for the treatment of diabetes. After completing my MS, I went to medical school at The University of Cincinnati. Although not directly related to what I do now, I found my MS studies to be rewarding and an enjoyable experience. Some of my research was published in a Chem. Commun. Article in 2006, and even made it into C&E News! (June 30, 2008).
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Edward Donnay
About me. My project involved the synthesis of vitamin B12 bioconjugates (October 2005-July 2006). I now have my own faculty position at McMurry University, Abilene, Texas.
Dr. Vijay Iyer
About me. I spent one year in the lab of Dr. Brasch working on the synthesis of vitamin B12 bioconjugates from 2006-2007. I now work as a licensing associate at the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Strategic Initiatives at Temple University, Philadelphia.
Undergraduate Students
Elizabeth Schindler
About me. My name is Liz Schindler and I’ve lived in the Stow-Kent area of Ohio all my life. I am working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Chemistry at Kent State University. In March 2008 I joined Dr. Nicola Brasch’s research group. I enjoyed participating in the REU program under Dr. Brasch’s guidance in summer 2008 and plan on continuing vitamin B12 research during my undergraduate studies.
Research and academic interests. Inorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, psychology, and neuroscience. Last year I carried out biological research in Costa Rica and enjoyed the varied environments there.
Other Interests. Cooking, tennis, movies, yoga, and travel. I am also an officer of the American Medical Student Association and hope to go to Medical School to pursue MD/PhD degrees.
John Huang
About me. I am an American of Taiwanese descent from Akron, Ohio. I am a senior at Kent State University studying Biological Chemistry. Since 2007, I have been an undergraduate researcher with Dr. Brasch’s group.
Research and academic interests. In the summer of 2008, I was a participant in Kent State’s REU Chemistry program where I synthesized potential glucose-lowering B12 bioconjugates capable of vanadium binding. After graduating from Kent State University I plan on attending Pharmacy School to pursue a Pharm. D. degree.
Other Interests. I have been a member of the Taiwanese Student Assosciation and the Kent State Badminton Club. In my spare time I enjoy volunteering at the local hospital, playing golf and piano.
Justin Yun
(2005-2007; NSF-REU, summer 2005)
Leslie Schumacher
(2007-2008; NSF-REU, summer 2006)
Roberto Chavez
(2005-2007; supported by the OSEA)
R. Sean Trevino
(NSF-REU, summer 2005)
Brenda Dougan
(2004-2005; NSF-REU, summer 2004)
Brenda Dougan was kind enough to provide a statement about her undergraduate research experience in the Brasch Group for the Group Members Page (bottom of page).
Michelle Riggs
(NSF-REU, summer 2003)