SUNO/UNO JFAP in Macromolecular Chemistry

PI: Edwin Stevens, LSUBR

Co-PI: Alvin Bopp. SUBR

New Hires: Steven Rick

Abstract

This project provides startup funds for two new faculty positions in macromolecular chemistry. Both new faculty members will be jointly appointed in the Department of Chemistry, Southern University at New Orleans (an HBCU) and in the Department of Chemistry, University of New Orleans. It is anticipated that one faculty member will be hired in the area of experimental determination of macromolecular structures such as proteins, viruses, or polynucleotides either by x-ray or NMR techniques. The other faculty member will be hired in the area of theoretical modeling of macromolecular structures by molecular mechanics and dynamics simulations. The areas of research will thus complement each other and complement the expertise of the mentors in x-ray diffraction and computational chemistry. Although the study of macromolecular structure has had an enormous impact on our basic understanding of biological processes at the molecular level, and has vast potential for the development of new medicinal agents, it is an unfortunate fact that no research groups focusing on macromolecular structure determination currently exist in Louisiana. The new faculty hired under this project, with the existing mentors, will provide a cluster of researchers which will greatly enhance the chances of developing a nationally competitive research program, while at the same time enhancing the educational programs and inter-university cooperation of the participating universities.

The mentors include Dr. Edwin D. Stevens, UNO Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, who has expertise in x-ray diffraction studies of small molecules of biological interest, Dr. Scott L. Whittenburg, Professor of Chemistry at UNO, who has expertise in laser light scattering of macromolecules in solution and computational studies, and Dr. Richard J. Majeste, Professor of Chemistry at SUNO, who has expertise in x-ray structure determination of small molecules. A collaboration already exists between Dr. Stevens and Dr. Majeste. They have jointly published research articles, and Dr. Majeste is currently an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at UNO providing him with access to the advanced x-ray instrumentation available at UNO.

The new faculty will be expected to develop research laboratories, teach, and train students at both institutions. New research equipment will be purchased consistent with their research projects, which is expected to include advanced computer and molecular graphics facilities and other equipment necessary for the isolation, purification, and crystal growth of macromolecular samples and data collection on the samples. Institutional commitment to the project includes the purchase of new x-ray and NMR instruments which will be available to the new faculty members. Oversight of the program is provided by a JFAP Management Team composed of the project principal investigators, a key administrator from each institution, and the new JFAP faculty members.

Several factors are presented in this case which greatly improve the viability of the joint program proposed. The two campuses are within 0.6 miles of each other, allowing faculty and students to easily commute between schools to lecture, attend classes and seminars, and participate in research. A mechanism is already in place for students to attend class at either institution. The chemistry departments of the two institutions have a proven history of collaborative research, of providing access to research equipment, and of exchanging faculty to teach courses. Finally, the construction of a new building dedicated to chemical research on the UNO campus, completed in April 1998, provides excellent research space and new equipment which will be available for use by the JFAP faculty.

Following funding of this project the UNO and SUNO Chemistry Departments began an aggressive recruitment campaign to recruit faculty candidates of the highest possible quality. Advertisements in professional chemistry journals and direct solicitation to the directors of leading laboratories in the field yielded over 100 applications. To date, 13 candidates have participated in two day on-site interviews, and 6 job offers have been extended to those interviewed. At this time, one of the offers has been accepted by Dr. Steven Rick, who will be joining the SUNO and UNO chemistry departments in August 2000. Dr. Rick is a computational chemist currently employed at the Center for Advanced Biomedical Computing at the National Cancer Institute. He received a BS degree from UCLA and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley and has postdoctoral research experience at Columbia University and Brown University.

Recruitment is continuing to fill the second JFAP position.