A. Plant Stress Physiology and Cellular Biochemistry

Plants in nature are continuously subject to several environmental insults, including drought, heat, cold, toxic pollution, disease, and insects. While some plants have evolved the ability to specifically combat one or more of these stresses, (as cacti have special abilities to withstand drought), all plants have adaptive ability to tolerate most stresses (to varying degrees). This is achieved at the cellular level by the transcription of specific stress-activated genes. My research project focuses on the roles of calcium and hydrogen peroxide in activating these stress-activated genetic programs. Students working on this project may have the opportunity to learn several different laboratory techniques including: greenhouse maintenance of unique plants, plant cell culture, luminometry, fluorimetry, fluorescence microscopy, and plant genetic manipulation.

B. Physical Biochemistry of Serum Albumins

Albumin, the most prominent protein in blood serum, is believed to transport fatty acids, drug compounds, vitamins and toxins through the blood stream. We use fluorescence spectroscopy to determine how well small molecules bind to serum albumin. The small molecules we are currently testing are the B vitamin folic acid, and an herbicide called 2,4-D. These studies have relevance to the fields of nutrition and toxicology.

Organic Reaction Intermediate Analysis

Glenn’s research project centers on the identification, purification and spectroscopic characterization of novel bicyclic compounds, which are produced as intermediates and/or byproducts of a fairly common organic reaction. Glenn and his research assistants have identified several compounds that have not previously been noted in the chemical literature. Students working on these projects will gain experience in flash chromatography, GC-mass spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy.

Insect Chemical Ecology

Chemical signals are among the most used information transfer sources in ecology and they can include pheromones (conspecific signaling), plant-herbivore interactions, and predator-prey interactions. While many of these chemical signals are of basic scientific interest, they are also increasingly important to developing ecologically rational pest control strategies, both as replacements for pesticides against established pests and to help mitigate the increasing threat of invasive species (damage ~$137 billion/annually). My research focuses on arthropod chemical ecology, applying the tools of organic chemistry to ecological interactions. Currently I am collaborating with colleagues in Hawai’i on research involving attractants for tephritid fruit flies (direct costs to Hawai’ian agriculture ~$15 million/annually, lost markets ~$300 million/annually) and the nettle moth, Darna pallivitta. I am in the process of initiating a research program in which I hope to include undergraduates with interests in chemical analysis and synthesis, and students with interests in ecology and/or organismal biology.