Past Group Members
The Brasch Group in Summer 2005
Graduate Students
Riya Mukherjee
About me. I am from Calcutta, a lively and big city in the eastern part of India. I completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Physical Chemistry from University of Calcutta. I joined the Ph.D program in Chemistry at Kent State University in 2005 and started working with Dr. Nicola Brasch. The area of my research is Bioinorganic Chemistry.
Research Interests. I have been working on a wide variety of research projects. I started working on syntheses and spectroscopy of several V(III)/carboxylate complexes in aqueous solution. After that, I worked on vanadium-vitamin B12 bioconjugates and became interested in the chemistry of vitamin B12 derivatives or cobalamins. Currently I am working on syntheses and characterization of a novel thiolatocobalamin which may be beneficial for the treatment of diseases related to oxidative stress.
Other Interests. Reading books, listening to music, travel.
Edward Suarez-Moreira
About me. I am from Montevideo, the second most southern capital in the world in Uruguay, the smallest Spanish-speaking country in South America. I obtained my B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry at the ‘Universidad de la República’ in 2002 where I worked as a teaching and research assistant at the Physical Biochemistry Laboratory until December of 2003. In January 2004 I joined the KSU/CCF/NEOUCOM Biomedical Sciences doctoral program under the guidance of Dr. Nicola Brasch, Dr. Donald Jacobsen and Dr. June Yun.
Research Interests. The exact biochemical mechanisms that lead to the incorporation of cobalamins into the B12-dependent enzymes have not yet been elucidated. We (Jacobsen et al.) were the first to show that glutathionylcobalamin (GSCbl) is present in mammalian cells and proposed that GSCbl is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of cobalamin cofactors. Since human aortic endothelial cells have been shown to have no cystathionine β-synthase activity, they rely solely on B12-dependent methionine synthase to metabolize Hcy. We have chosen this model to demonstrate the natural occurrence of GSCbl in human cells and further investigate B12 intracellular metabolism. We have developed a general method for synthesizing cobalamin derivatives. We are currently studying the stability of different thiolatocobalamins to further understand the chemistry of this family of compounds.
Other Interests. Languages and linguistics. Politics. Theatre and films.
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
Bryan Smith
About me: I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Chemistry. I joined the Brasch Group in January of 2011. As a freshman, it is great to have an opportunity to participate in a research lab.
Research Interests: As I have just begun research in the lab, I am exposed to all sorts of new and different projects. I am currently being taught the fundamentals of the lab, but everything I am doing is in the context of researching the chemistry of reactions between cobalamins and NO donor molecules.
Other Interests: Playing any sport, lifting, anything involving football.
Noah Plymale
About me. I am a native Kent resident and am currently pursuing a B.S. degree in Chemistry at Kent State University. I am a member of Dr. Brasch’s undergraduate research group and am involved in research on vitamin B12 derivatives. I have enjoyed working in a Bioinorganic Lab and I plan on continuing my undergraduate research with Dr. Brasch.
Research and academic interests. I am currently very interested in Organic, Biological, and Bioinorganic Chemistry. My motivation for doing research is to develop an understanding for the chemistry of biological systems. I feel that Bioinorganic Chemistry is a fascinating and unique way to learn more about such biological systems.
Other Interests. In addition to Chemistry, I am very interested in Biology and Mathematics. Outside of school, I am a math tutor for the Academic Success Center and I play the trumpet in the athletic bands at Kent State. I also enjoy being with my friends, baking, and playing games of any sort.
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.
Kamille Garcia
(NSF-REU, summer 2009)
John Hwang
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)