Chemistry Research by Faculty

Below is a list of our faculty members accompanied by their professional interests and research projects. Faculty recruit undergraduates to assist them with research in the laboratory. Students interested in graduate programs or pre-professional programs are encouraged to find a faculty research adviser to gain experience in the lab. Research is funded internally and externally.

Here are some research highlights regarding the faculty:

  • Faculty have over $500,000 in current research funding between LSSU and their collaborators.
  • Faculty collaborate with other universities and corporations such as: University of California, Santa Barbara; Bowling Green State University, Academy of Sciences, Republic of Armenia.
  • Faculty have authored publications including those with undergraduate co-authors.
  • Faculty and students have given several presentations at conferences in the last 12 months.
  • The Cannabis Center of Excellence finished instrumentation installation 
studentspipetting forensic lab
studentspipetting forensic lab students at plate reader chris at rotovap students in teaching lab hplcjane students with faculty advisors

Hannah Clause

1. Heavy Metal Contamination in Marijuana Plant Material

-Regional differences, plant breed differences, cannabis extracts

2. Industrial and Pharmaceutical Contamination in the Great Lakes

-Water filtration with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)

Alexei Iretski

1. Biomass

2. Catalysis

Steven Johnson

1. Heterologous expression of microbial phytases for agricultural applications

2. Detection of lateral and secondary gun shot residue

3. Pedagogical approaches to chemistry education

R. Adam Mosey

  1. Organic synthesis of 1,2-Disubstituted 2-Imidazolines from N-(2- haloethyl)amides and Amines
  2. Organic synthesis of 3,4-Dihydroquinazoline Scaffolds

Thu Nguyen

  1. Synthesis and biological evaluation of peptoids.
  2. Food Chemistry

Benjamin Southwell

  1. Cannabis Extraction and Component Analysis
  2. Forensic Chemical Analysis
  3. Environmental Chemistry with a focus on Cyanotoxins and Organic Pollutants

Faculty and Student Accomplishments

Our chemistry students choose to do laboratory research or do an REU at another institution. Our faculty are active in research and work closely with students to prepare them for their post-graduation career options. Students also present at conferences as well publish in peer-reviewed journals.

  • students with faculty advisors
  • dwebber poster
  • twall poster
  • cmagyar poster
  • student poster awards
  • student using AQ1 at LSSU
  • PCR station
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer
  • student ICPMS
  • students at plate reader
  • students in teaching lab
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  • Recent Publications

    Bold indicates LSSU faculty.
    Italics denotes LSSU undergraduate student.

    • Fiolek, T.; Magyar, C. L.; Wall, T. J.; Davies, S. B.; Campbell, M. V.; Savich, C. J.; Tepe, J. J.; Mosey, R. A.  Dihydroquinazolines Enhance 20S Proteasome Activity and Induce Degradation of α-Synuclein, an Intrinsically Disordered Protein Associated with Neurodegeneration. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2021, in press.
    • Campbell, M. V.; Iretskii, A. V.; Mosey, R. A. One-Pot Tandem Assembly of Amides, Amines, and Ketones: Synthesis of C4-Quaternary 3,4- and 1,4-Dihydroquinazolines J. Org. Chem.2020, 85, 11211-11225.
    • Kurtikyan, T. S., Hayrapetyan,V. A., Hovhannisyan, A. A., Martirosyan, G. G., Hovhannisyan, G. S.,  Iretskii, A. V., and Ford, P. C. Nitric Oxide Dioxygenation by O2 Adducts of Manganese Porphyrins. Inorg. Chem. 2020, 59, 17224-17233 .
    • Lane, M.J, Rediske, R.R, McNair, J.N, Briggs, S, Rhodes, G, Dreelin, E, Sivy, T, Flood, M, Brian Scull, Szlag, D, Southwell, B.J, Isaacs, N.M, Pike, S., A comparison of E. coli concentration estimates quantified by the EPA and a Michigan laboratory network using EPA Draft Method C, Journal of Microbiological Methods, 2020, 179.
    • Magyar, C. L.; Wall, T. J.; Davies, S. B.; Campbell, M. V.; Barna, H. A.; Smith, S. R.; Savich, C. J.; Mosey, R. A.  Triflic Anhydride Mediated Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydroquinazolines: A Three-Component One-Pot Tandem Procedure.  Org. Biomol. Chem. 2019, 17, 7995-8000.   
                 Article highlighted in Synfacts, 2019, 15, 1238
    • Aw, T.G, Sivaganesan, M., Briggs, S., Dreelin, E., Aslan, A., Dorevitch, S, Shrestha, A., Isaacs, N, Kinzelman, J., Kleinheinz, G., Noble, R., Rediske, R., Scull, B., Rosenberg, S., Weberman, B., Sivy, T., Southwell, B.J, Siefring, S., Oshima, K., Haugland, R. Evaluation of multiple laboratory performance and variability in analysis of recreational freshwaters by a rapid Escherichia coli qPCR method (Draft Method C), Water Research, 2019, 156, 465-474.
    • Sivaganesan, M, Aw, T.G., Briggs, S., Dreelin, E., Aslan, A., Dorevitch, S., Shrestha, A., Isaacs, Kinzelman, J., Kleinheinz, G., Noble, R., Rediske, R., Scull, B., Rosenberg, S., Weberman, B., Sivy, T., Southwell, B.J, Siefring, S., Oshima, K., Haugland, R. Standardized data quality acceptance criteria for a rapid Escherichia coli qPCR method (Draft Method C) for water quality monitoring at recreational beaches, Water Research, 2019, 156, 456-464.
    • Li, Z.; Pierri, A. E.; Huang, P.-J.; Wu, G.; Iretski, A. V.; Ford, P. C. Dinuclear PhotoCORMs: Dioxygen-Assisted Carbon Monoxide Uncaging from Long-Wavelength-Absorbing Metal–Metal-Bonded Carbonyl Complexes. Inorganic Chemistry 2017, 56 (11), 6094–6104.
    • Razgoniaev, A. O.; Butaeva, E. V.; Iretski, A. V.; Ostrowski, A. D. Changing Mechanical Strength in Cr(III)-Metallosupramolecular Polymers with Ligand Groups and Light Irradiation. Inorganic Chemistry 2016, 55 (11), 5430–5437.
    • Ellsworth, A. A.; Magyar, C. L.; Hubbell, G. E.; Theisen, C. C.; Holmes, D.; Mosey, R. A. One-Pot Triflic Anhydride-Mediated Synthesis of 1,2-Disubstituted 2-Imidazolines from N-(2- haloethyl)amides and Amines. Tetrahedron 2016, 72, 6380-6389.
    • Pereira, J. C. A. C. M.; Iretski, A. V.; Han, R.-M.; Ford, P. C. Dinitrosyl Iron Complexes with Cysteine Kinetics Studies of the Formation and reactions of DNICs in Aqueous Solution. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2015, 137 (1), 328–336.
    • Szlag, D. C.; Sinclair, J. L.; Southwell, B.J.; Westrick, J. A. Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins Occurrence and Removal from Five High-Risk Conventional Treatment Drinking Water Plants, Toxins, 2015, 7, 2198-2220.
    • Heinecke, J. L.; Khin, C.; Pereira, J. C. M.; Suárez, S. A.; Iretski, A. V.; Doctorovich, F.; Ford, P. C. Nitrite Reduction Mediated by Heme Models. Routes to NO and HNO? Journal of the American Chemical Society 2013, 135 (10), 4007–4017.
    • Martirosyan, G.; Kurtikyan, T.; Azizyan, A.; Iretski, A.; Ford, P. Weak coordination of neutral S-and O-donor proximal ligands to a ferrous porphyrin nitrosyl. Characterization of 6-coordinate complexes at low T. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry 2013, 121, 129–133.
    • Azevedo, L. M.; Lansdell, T. A.; Ludwig, J. R.; Mosey, R. A.; Woloch, D. K.; Cogan, D. P.; Patten, G. P.; Kuszpit, M. R.; Fisk, J. S.; Tepe, J. J. “Inhibition of the Human Proteasome by Imidazoline Scaffolds” J. Med. Chem. 2013, 56, 5974-5978.
    • Kurtikyan, T. S.; Hayrapetyan, V. A.; Martirosyan, G. G.; Ghazaryan, R. K.; Iretski, A. V.; Zhao, H.; Pierloot, K.; Ford, P. C. Nitrosyl isomerism in amorphous Mn(TPP)(NO) solids. Chemical Communications 2012, 48 (99), 12088.
    • Yang, M.; Johnson, S. C.; Murthy, P. P. Enhancement of alkaline phytase production in Pichia pastoris: influence of gene dosage, sequence optimization and expression temperature. Protein Expression and Purification 2012, 84 (2), 247–254.
    • Mosey, R. A.; Floreancig, P. E. “Isolation, Biological Activity, Synthesis, and Medicinal Chemistry of the Pederin/Mycalamide Family of Natural Products” Nat. Prod. Rev. 2012, 29, 980-995.
    • Mosey, R. A.; Floreancig, P. E. “Versatile Approach to α-Alkoxy Carbamate Synthesis and Stimulus-Responsive Alcohol Release” Org. Biomol. Chem. 2012, 10, 7980-7985.
    • Werner, R.M, Southwell, B.J., Rook, B. Five-year trends in the egg-thiamine status of Atlantic salmon from the St. Marys River, Michigan.  Journal of Great Lakes Research. 2011, 37 (2). 43-46.
    • Westrick J.A.; Southwell B.J.; Szlag D.C.; Lenca N.M. Technologies for Early Warning and Detection of Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms Leading to Integrated Source Water Protection. In Water Treatment Processes, Series: Water Resource Planning, Development, and Management; Demadis K. Ed: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. (available as ebook). 2011.
    • Westrick J.A., Szlag D.C., Southwell B.J. Sinclair J. A Review of Cyano.bacteria and Cyanotoxins Removal/Inactivation in Drinking Water Treatment. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 2011, 397 (5). 1705-1714.
    • Westrick J.A., Southwell B.J., Szlag D, Zimba P. Detection of Cyanotoxins during Potable Water Treatment.  Algae in Drinking Water, AWWA. Denver. 2010, 71- 91.
    • Westrick J.A., Oehrle SA, Southwell B.J. Detection of Various Freshwater Cyanobacterial Toxins using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Toxicon. 2010, 55 (5). 965-972.
    • Matson, T. D. ; Ford, P. C.; Macala, G. and Iretski, A. V. Process For Direct Conversion Of Biomass To Liquid Fuels And Chemicals. US 9522864, The Regents of the University of California, USA (12-20- 2016).
    • Matson, T. D. ; Ford, P. C.; Macala, G. and Iretski, A. V. Process For Direct Conversion Of Biomass To Liquid Fuels And Chemicals. US 8786494, The Regents of the University of California, USA (08-05- 2014).
    • Johnson, S. C.; Yang, M.; Murthy, P. P. Heterologous expression and functional characterization of a plant alkaline phytase in Pichia pastorisProtein Expression and Purification 2010, 74 (2), 196–203.

  • Active Funding

    • 2020-2021: Pilot Scale Evaluation of Digital PCR for the Detection of SARS COV2 in Wastewater, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
    • 2020-2023: Hemp Tribal Research Initiative for Michigan (Hemp TRIM), National Institute of Food & Agriculture, USDA
    • 2018-2021: qPCR Methods for Beaches, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
    • 2016 – 2019: “MRI: Acquisition of a 400 MHz NMR Spectrometer for Use in Research and Research Training,” National Science Foundation, Major Research Instrumentation Award.
    • 2016 – 2018: “Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Diverse 3,4-Dihydroquinazolines,” National Institutes of Health, R03 Award.
    • 2015-2025: Cyanotoxin Monitoring Intergovernmental Agreement, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
    • 2014 – 2017: “Multicyclic Heterocycle Syntheses via Tandem Amidation/Annulation Reactions of N-Containing Heterocycles and Carboxylic Acids,” Research Corporation for Science Advancement, Single Investigator Cottrell College Science Award.
    • 2013-2022: Cyanotoxin Monitoring Intergovernmental Agreement, Oregon Health Authority.
    • 2012-          : Tribal Water Quality Monitoring, Bay Mills Indian Community
    • 2012-          : Tribal Water Quality Monitoring, Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
    • 2012-          : Chippewa County Michigan Beach Water Quality Monitoring, Chippewa County Health Department

  • Recent Presentations

    Bold indicates LSSU faculty.
    Italics denotes LSSU undergraduate student.

    • Webber, D., Wickens, J., Werner, R. M. Cloning of the oprin gene from the North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana) as a potential inhibitor of Western diamondback rattlesnake (C. atrox) venom metalloproteinases. Poster Presentation, Upper Peninsula American Chemical Society Student Research Symposium, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, March 25, 2017.
    • Wall, T.; Magyar, C.; Hutchens, M.; Mosey, R. A. “Expanding Diversity About the 3,4-Dihydroquinazoline Scaffold: Gaining Access to an Emerging Class of Antimicrobial Compounds” Poster Presentation, Upper Peninsula American Chemical Society Student Research Symposium, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, March 25, 2017.
    • Magyar, C.; Wall, T.; Mosey, R. A. “Development of a Multicomponent Synthesis of Diverse 3,4-Dihydroquinazolines” Poster Presentation, Upper Peninsula American Chemical Society Student Research Symposium, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, March 25, 2017.
    • Mosey, R. A. “Partially Saturated Amidine-Containing Heterocycles: Synthesis and Pharmaceutical Applications” Invited Presentation, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, February 20, 2017.
    • Hubbell, G. E.; Ellsworth, A. A.; Iretski, A. V.; Mosey, R. A. “Diastereoselective Formation of Bicyclic Annulation Products from the Interaction of 2-Imidazolines with Serine Derivatives” Poster Presentation, West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science Research Conference, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, November 5, 2016.
    • Korcal, K.; Wall, T.; Magyar, C.; Mosey, R. A.; Hutchens, M. “Biofilm Inhibition and Destruction Using Newly Synthesized Compounds” Poster Presentation, Michigan Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, Lake Superior State University, Sault Sainte Marie, MI, October 22, 2016.
    • Hutchens, M.; Magyar, C.; Wall, Tyler; Mosey, R. A. “Anti-Staphylococcal Activity of 3,4- Dihydroquinazolines” Poster Presentation, Michigan Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, Lake Superior State University, Sault Sainte Marie, MI, October 22, 2016.
    • Hubbell, G. E.**; Ellsworth, A. A.**; Iretskii, A. V.; Mosey, R. A. “Diastereoselective Formation of Bicyclic Annulation Products from the Interaction of Amino Acid Derivatives and 2-Imidazolines” Poster Presentation, Upper Peninsula American Chemical Society Student Research Symposium, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, April 2, 2016.
    • Werner, R. M. Adventures in carbon-carbon bond formation: From diazomethane to chiral auxiliaries. Grand Valley State University, December 8, 2016.
    • Ford, P. C., Bernt, C., Chui, M., Jones, Z., Scott, S., Bottari, G., Barta, K., Maneesuwan, H., Brunner, F., Iretski, A. V. Studies of the reductive disassembly of lignocellulose to value-added chemicals. 249 th ACS National Meeting, Denver, CO, March 22-26, 2015.
    • Ellsworth, A. A.; Theisen, C. C.; Mosey, R. A. “Direct Conversion of Amides to 1,2-Disubstituted 2-Imidazolines” Poster Presentation, Upper Peninsula American Chemical Society Student Research Symposium, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, April 11, 2015.
    • Ellsworth, A. A.; Theisen, C. C.; Mosey, R. A. “Multicomponent Reaction to Produce Diversely Substituted 2-Imidazolines” Poster Presentation, 249 th ACS National Meeting, Denver, CO, March 23, 2015.
    • Ellsworth, A. A.; Mosey, R. A. “Multicomponent Reaction to Produce Diversely Substituted 2-Imidazolines” Poster Presentation, Midwestern Symposium on Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, October 11, 2014.
    • Gravatt, C. S.; Mosey, R. A. “The Synthesis of a Novel Self-Immolative Lysine-Based Surfactant” Poster Presentation, Upper Peninsula American Chemical Society Student Research Symposium, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, March 29, 2014.
    • Ellsworth, A. A.; Mosey, R. A. “Imidazoline Synthesis to Investigate the Extent of Heterocycle-Biomolecule Complex Formation” Poster Presentation, Upper Peninsula American Chemical Society Student Research Symposium, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, March 29, 2014.
    • Werner, R. M. Hands-on NMR activities for undergraduates. Bi-annual Conference of Chemical Educators (BCCE) National Conference, Grand Valley State University, August 3, 2014.
    • Chui, M., Hamann, D. M., Tran, T., Brunner, F.M., Iretski, A.V., Boscolo, M., Scott, S.L., Ford, P.C. Tuning the reductive disassembly of lignocellulosic biomass and model compounds using doped porous metal oxides. 248 th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, August 10-14, 2014.
    • Ford, P. C., Barta, K., Iretski, A.V., Scott, S.L. Studies of the reductive disassembly of lignin and lignocellulose using Earth-abundant catalysts. 248 th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, August 10-14, 2014.
    • Gravatt, C. S.; Mosey, R. A. “Mobilization of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil: Progress Towards the Synthesis and Property Characterization of a Novel Self-Immolative Lysine-Based Surfactant” Oral Presentation, 23 rd Annual Argonne Symposium, Lemont, IL, November 1, 2013.
    • Barta, K., Matson, T.D., Iretski, A.V., Ford, P. C. One-Pot Catalytic Conversion of Organosolv Lignin, Cellulose and of Woody Biomass to Liquid Fuels. Frontiers in Chemistry, Armenia, August 25-29, 2013.
    • Hamann, D. M., Chui, M., Iretski, A.V., Ford, P. C. Valorization of Biomass Using Porous Metal Oxide (PMO) Catalysts. Midwestern Symposium on Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, Lansing MI, October 2013.