Biochemistry Faculty

Prof. Jones and Ghazal Stity (Biochemistry 2015)

Faculty

Stephen Dunham

Stephen Dunham  | Associate Professor and Chair, Chemistry; Co-chair, Biochemistry

Office location: Collier 209
Office phone: 610-625-7103
Email: dunhams2@moravian.edu

Education
B.S., Hamline University
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Montana State

Research Interests
Biochemistry, NMR spectroscopy, metal interactions with DNA

Biochemistry Courses Taught
BIOL/CHEM 327 (Biochemistry I) and BIOL/CHEM 375.2 (Senior Seminar in Biochemistry)

Shari U. Dunham, Todd S. Remaley*, Bryn L. Moore*, Debra L. Evans* and Stephen U. Dunham, “Isolation, Characterization, and DNA Binding Kinetics of Three Dirhodium(II,II) Carboxyamidate Complexes: Rh2(µ-L)(HNOCCF3)3 where L= [OOCCH3]-, [OOCCF3]-, [HNOCCF3]-“, Inorganic Chemistry 50(8), pp 3458-3463 (2011).

 

Chris Jones

 

Christopher Jones | Professor, Biological Sciences; Co-chair, Biochemistry

Office location: Collier 306
Lab location: Collier 227
Office phone: 610-861-1614
Email: jonesc@moravian.edu

Education
B.A. in Biology and Russian, Haverford College
M.Phil. in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University
Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University

Research Interests
I'm interested in many aspects of molecular genetics, but my research focuses primarily on the genetics of behavior in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, especially learning and memory as well as seizure disorders.

Biochemistry Courses Taught
BIOL 210 (Genetics) and BIOL 365 (Advanced Genetics)

Lopatto D., C. Alvarez, D. Barnard, C. Chandrasekaran, H.-M. Chung, C. Du, T. Eckdahl, A.L. Goodman, C. Hauser, C.J. Jones, O.R. Kopp, G.A. Kuleck, G. McNeil, R. Morris, J.L. Myka, A. Nagengast, P.J. Overvoorde, J.L. Poet, K. Reed, G. Regisford, D. Revie, A. Rosenwald, K. Saville, M. Shaw, G.R. Skuse, C. Smith, M. Smith, M. Spratt, J. Stamm, J.S. Thompson, B.A. Wilson, C. Witkowski, J. Youngblom, W. Leung, C.D. Shaffer, J. Buhler, E. Mardis, and S.C.R. Elgin. 2008. "Genomics Education Partnership." Science  322(5902):684–685.

Joiner, M.A., Z. Asztalos, C.J. Jones, T. Tully, and C.-F. Wu. 2007. "Effects of MutantDrosophila K+ Channel Subunits on Habituation of the Olfactory Jump Response." Journal of Neurogenetics 21(1):45–58.

Nowotny, P., S.M. Gorski, S.W. Han, K. Philips, W.J. Ray, V. Nowotny, C.J. Jones, R.F. Clark, R.L. Cagan, and A.M. Goate. 2000. "Posttranslational Modification and Plasma Membrane Localization of the Drosophila melanogaster Presenilin." Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 15(1):88–98.

Pinto S., D.G. Quintana, P. Smith, R.M. Mihalek, Z.H. Hou, S. Boynton, C.J. Jones, M. Hendricks, K. Velinzon, J.A. Wohlschlegel, R.J. Austin, W.S. Lane, T. Tully, and A. Dutta. 1999. "latheo encodes a subunit of the origin recognition complex and disrupts neuronal proliferation and adult olfactory memory when mutant." Neuron 23(1):45–54.

Mihalek, R.*, C.J. Jones*, and T. Tully. 1997. "The Drosophila Mutation turnip has Pleiotropic Behavioral Effects and Does Not Specifically Affect Learning." Learning and Memory 3:425–444.
* Equal contributors

 

Josh Lord profile photo

Joshua Lord | Associate Professor and Chair of Biological Sciences

Office location: Collier 124
Lab location: Collier 317
Office phone: 610-861-1414
Email: lordj02@moravian.edu

Education
B.A. in Biology, Colby College
M.S. in Marine Biology, University of Oregon
Ph.D. in Oceanography, University of Connecticut

Research Interests
I teach courses related to marine biology and invertebrate ecology, including Animal Behavior, Marine Ecology, and a variety of others. My research focuses on understanding how invasive species and changing environmental conditions can affect predation and competition between species. Along with the students in my lab, I work with a variety of marine species (especially crabs, snails, and biofouling organisms) and test their responses to climate change and resistance to predation.

Rappaport SD, Lord JP (2021) Linear dominance hierarchies in female grass shrimp Palaemon pugio. The Biological Bulletin 241(2): 208–216.

Lord JP (2021) Using a game to teach invasive species spread and management. Journal of College Science Teaching. 52(3): 20–25.

Lord JP (2021) Size affects intraspecific aggression and response to predation threat in juvenile lobsters. Marine Biology: 168: 51.

Lord JP, Moser RM, Buonocore EM, Sylvester EE, Morales MJ, Granitz AP, Disipio A, Blakely E, O’Sullivan-Evangelista SL, Mateo TF, Chlebove GJ, Carey CM, Lucas O (2021) Dominance hierarchies in marine invertebrates. The Biological Bulletin 240(1): 1-13.

Lord JP, Rappaport SD (2021) Snail morphological and behavioral predator avoidance strategies vary by site. American Conchologist 49(1).

Froehlich, Kyle R, Lord JP (2020) "Can ocean acidification interfere with the ability of mud snails (Tritia obsoleta) to sense predators?" Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 526: 151355.

Boch CA, DeVogelaere A, Burton E, King C, Lord JP, Lovera C, Litvin S, Kuhnz L, Barry JP (2019) "Coral translocation as a method to restore impacted deep-sea coral communities." Frontiers in Marine Science 6: 540.

Lord JP, Harper EM, Barry JP (2019) Ocean acidification may alter predator-prey relationships and weaken nonlethal species interactions. Marine Ecology Progress Series 616: 83-94.

Barry JP, Graves D, Kecy C, Lovera C, Boch CA, Lord JP (2018) Chasing the future: how will ocean changes affect marine life? Oceanography 30: 62-73.

Lord JP, Barry JP, Graves D (2017 "Impact of climate change on direct and indirect species interactions." Marine Ecology Progress Series 571: 1-11 (Feature Article).

Lord JP, Barry JP (2017) "Juvenile mussel and abalone predation by the lined shore crab Pachygrapsus crassipes." Journal of Shellfish Research 36: 209–213.

Lord JP (2017) "Potential impact of Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus on native northeast Pacific crabs." Biological Invasions 19: 1879-1887.

Lord JP, Williams LR (2017) "Increase in density of genetically diverse invasive Asian shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) populations in the Gulf of Maine." Biological Invasions 19: 1153–1168.

Lord JP (2017) "Impact of seawater temperature on growth and recruitment of invasive fouling species at the global scale." Marine Ecology 38: e12404.

Lord JP (2017) "Temperature, space availability, and species assemblages impact competition in global fouling communities." Biological Invasions 19: 43–55.

 

Shari Dunham

Shari Uldrich Dunham | Associate Professor, Chemistry

Office location: Collier 222
Office phone: 610-625-7105
Email: sharidunham@moravian.edu

Education
B.A. in Chemistry, Drew University
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Research Interests
As a biochemistry researcher, I continue to explore the DNA interactions of novel dirhodium compounds with potential anticancer activity. As an educator I am exploring two areas that affect student learning: (1) the impact of guided-inquiry activities on student development of molecular visualization skills in Biochemistry and (2) development of quantitative skill interventions to improve student success in Introductory Chemistry. Dr.

Biochemistry Courses Taught
CHEM 113 (General Chemistry) and BIOL/CHEM 327 (Biochemistry I)

Shari U. Dunham, Todd S. Remaley*, Bryn L. Moore*, Debra L. Evans* and Stephen U. Dunham, “Isolation, Characterization, and DNA Binding Kinetics of Three Dirhodium(II,II) Carboxyamidate Complexes: Rh2(µ-L)(HNOCCF3)3 where L= [OOCCH3]-, [OOCCF3]-, [HNOCCF3]-“, Inorganic Chemistry 50(8), pp 3458-3463 (2011).

Shari U. Dunham, Amity E. Burr*, Szymon Mikulski,* Helen Chifotides and Kim Dunbar, “Covalent Binding and Interstrand Cross-Linking of Duplex DNA by Dirhodium(II,II) Carboxylate Compounds”, Biochemistry 44(3), pp 996-1003 (2005).

Mark D. Finke, Shari U. Dunham and Christabel Kwabi*, “Evaluation of four dry commercial gut loading products for improving the calcium content of crickets, Acheta domesticus”, J. of Herp. Medicine and Surgery, 15(1), pp 7-12 (2005).

Mark D. Finke, Shari U. Dunham and John S. Cole III*, “Evaluation of various commercial products for improving the calcium content of crickets, Acheta domesticus”, J. of Herp. Medicine and Surgery, 14(2), pp 6-9 (2004).

Diane Winn, Shari Dunham and Szymon Mikulski*, “Food for Insects and Insects as Food: Viable Strategies for Achieving Adequate Calcium”, J. of Wildlife Rehabilitation, 26(1), 4-13 (2003).

Daniel S. Pilch, Shari U. Dunham, Elizabeth R. Jamieson, Stephen J. Lippard and Kenneth Breslauer, "DNA sequence context modulates the impact of a cisplatin 1,2-d(GpG) intrastrand cross-link on the conformational and thermodynamic properties of duplex DNA", J. Mol. Bio., 29, 6803-812 (2000).

Shari U. Dunham, Stephen U. Dunham, Christopher J. Turner and Stephen J. Lippard, “Solution structure of a DNA duplex containing a nitroxide spin-labeled platinum d(GpG) intrastrand cross-link refined with NMR-derived long range electron-proton distance restraints”, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 120, 5395-5406 (1998).

Shari U. Dunham and Stephen J. Lippard, “DNA sequence context and protein composition modulate HMG-domain protein recognition of cisplatin-modified DNA”, Biochemistry, 36, 11428-11436 (1997).

Natasa Poklar, Daniel S. Pilch, Stephen J. Lippard, Elizabeth A. Redding, Shari U. Dunham and Kenneth J. Breslauer, “Influence of cisplatin intrastrand crosslinking on the conformation, thermal stability, and energetics of a 20-mer DNA duplex”, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., USA, 93, 7606-7611 (1996).

 

Ian Fucci photo

Ian Fucci | Assistant Professor

Office location: Collier 316
Lab location: Sally 317
Office phone: 610-861-1607
Email: fuccii@moravian.edu

Education
B.A. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin & Marshall College
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University

Research Interests
In my lab, we’re exploring how the RET receptor tyrosine kinase functions both in healthy neuronal development and diseases like cancer. A major focus of our research is exploring the structure and dynamics of the small signaling proteins that modulate RET by binding to its extracellular domain, known as the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family of ligands (GFLs). To study the dynamics of these molecules we use nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) on proteins that are expressed and purified from either bacterial or yeast systems. Another interest of mine is engineering strains of Komagataella phaffii (formerly Pichia pastoris) tailored for the expression of kinases and incorporation of isotope-labeled amino acids.

Biochemistry Courses Taught
BIOL/CHEM 328 (Biochemistry II)

Fucci, I. J., Byrd, R. A. nightshift: A Python program for plotting simulated NMR spectra from assigned chemical shifts from the Biological Magnetic Resonance Data Bank. Protein Science 31, 63–74 (2022).

Fucci, I. J., Sinha, K., Rule, G. S. Protein Dynamics Is Altered by a High Surface Density of Atomic Transfer Radical Polymerization Polymers. Langmuir 37, 7185–7193 (2021).

Khago, D., Fucci, I. J., Byrd, R. A. The Role of Conformational Dynamics in the Recognition and Regulation of Ubiquitination. Molecules 25, 5933 (2020).

Fucci, I. J., Sinha, K., Rule, G. S. Stabilization of Active Site Dynamics Leads to Increased Activity with 3′-Azido-3′-deoxythymidine Monophosphate for F105Y Mutant Human Thymidylate Kinase. ACS Omega 5, 2355–2367 (2020).

Chen, M. D., Fucci, I. J., Sinha, K., Rule, G. S. dGMP Binding to Thymidylate Kinase from Plasmodium falciparum Shows Half-Site Binding and Induces Protein Dynamics at the Dimer Interface. Biochemistry 59, 694–703 (2020).

 

Joe Meadows

 

Joe Meadows | Assistant Professor, Chemistry

Office location: Collier 217C
Office phone: 610-625-7924
Email: meadowsj@moravian.edu

Education
B.S. in Chemistry, East Texas Baptist University
M.S. in Chemistry, University of Michigan
Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Michigan

Research Interests
My research is broadly centered on Physical Inorganic Chemistry, specifically with respect to the synthesis, spectroscopy, and computational modeling of transition metal carbonyl complexes. My group focuses on the use of infrared and NMR spectroscopies alongside quantum mechanical simulations to explore the structural and energetic properties of catalytic intermediates.

Biochemistry Courses Taught
CHEM 331 (Physical Chemistry I)

R.J. Sension, T.P. McClain, L.B. Michocki, N.A. Miller, R. Alonso-Mori, F.A. Lima, F. Ardana-Lamas, M. Biednov, T. Chung, A. Deb, Y. Jiang, A.K. Kaneshiro, D. Khakhulin, K.J. Kubarych, R.M. Lamb, J.H. Meadows, F. Otte, D.L. Sofferman, S. Song, Y. Uemura, T.B. van Driel, J.E. Penner-Hahn. “Structural Evolution of Photoexcited Methylcobalamin toward CarH-like Metastable State: Evidence from Time-Resolved X-ray Absorption and X-ray Emission.” J Phys Chem B 128(34): 8131-8144 (2024).

N.A. Miller, A.K. Kaneshiro, A. Konar, R. Alonso-Mori, A. Britz, A. Deb, J.M. Glownia, J.D. Koralek, L. Mallik, J.H. Meadows, L.B. Michocki, T.B. van Driel, M. Koutmos, S. Padmanabhan, M. Elías-Arnanz, K.J. Kubarych, E.N.G. Marsh, J.E. Penner-Hahn, and R.J. Sension. "The Photoactive Excited State of the B12-Based Photoreceptor CarH." J Phys Chem B 124(47): 10732-10738 (2020).

N.A. Miller, L.B. Michocki, R. Alonso-Mori, A. Britz, A. Deb, D.P. DePonte, J.M. Glownia, A.K. Kaneshiro, C. Kieninger, J. Koralek, J.H. Meadows, T. B. van Driel, B. Kräutler, K.J. Kubarych, J.E. Penner-Hahn, and R.J. Sension. "Antivitamins B12 in a Microdrop: The Excited-State Structure of a Precious Sample Using Transient Polarized X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure." J Phys Chem Lett 10(18): 5484-5489 (2019).