Faculty & Staff

Research ...

The Adebomi Laboratory develops next-generation biomolecules for applications in medicine by integrating organic chemistry, biochemistry, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven computational design. Our long-term goal is to create new molecular tools and therapeutic strategies that enable precise control of biological systems and address important challenges in human health. ...

Micronutrient transition metals (copper, zinc, cobalt, nickel, iron, and manganese) play a central role in the interaction of pathogenic (and beneficial) bacteria with higher eukaryote hosts. Our research is directed to understand the bacterial mechanisms of metal homeostasis required for these interactions. In particular, we focus on the functions of transmembrane transporters and chaperone molecules that tightly control metal uptake and distribution. ...

I enjoy teaching because it’s a fantastic feeling to be able to share knowledge and lead students to that "aha!" moment as they learn the intricacies of our world. Nothing is more satisfying than hearing someone exclaim that they "finally get it!" Also, teaching is an excellent way to learn more about yourself and the subject you teach, since there are so many individuals involved in the process who all bring their unique perspectives and insight to the table. WPI students are in a league of their own in terms of preparation and desire to learn. ...

Projects in the Burdette group start with synthesis. We use an array of synthetic techniques to make light-reactive small molecule metal ion chelators (photocages), and an equally wide number of analytical techniques to characterize the metal binding properties and photochemistry of those complexes. We also make and modify metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with solvothermal and other methods. Both photocages and MOFs can be applied to a variety of applications from human health to functional chemical tools. ...

We are currently investigating a number of fascinating problems in inorganic and organometallic chemistry. Each of these fits into the general theme of our research: the correlation of theoretical electronic structural data with the bonding and reactivity patterns of transition metal and heavy-element complexes. We use advanced electronic structure theory and modeling as probes of the bonding in and energetics of the systems. ...

Our research integrates investigating the structure and function of targeted membrane proteins with development of mixed reality tools for workforce development. We combine biochemical and biophysical techniques to investigate the structure and function of two classes of membrane proteins. In the first instance, we are investigating the mechanism of a zinc transporter, hZIP4. This protein has been implicated in the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer. Despite the central role of this protein in cellular homeostasis, the mechanism of cation transport is not well understood. ...

Arne Gericke is the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, and a Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

The research in my lab is generally concerned with the biophysical characterization of lipid mediated protein functions. ...

What makes a particular material efficient at converting sunlight to electrical or chemical energy? Conversely, what makes a material a poor energy converter? The Grimmgroup is motivated by quantifying and controlling the bulk and surface properties of solar energy conversion materials. As a research group in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, we seek an atom- and bond-level understanding of material properties.

Dr. Heilman is a Biochemist with nearly two decades of teaching experience and extensive pedagogical innovation in both Chemistry and Biochemistry. He is the co-author of the 6th edition of Fundamentals of Biochemistry (Wiley 2024), a widely used and highly recognized text for college biochemistry. His disciplinary research focuses on the discovery and characterization of novel virus proteins that have onco-selective toxicity. ...

I am a computational physical chemist. My research is in the areas of force field building and applications. Special attention is given to creating polarizable force fields for organic and biophysical systems, including proteins and protein-ligand complexes. I teach classes in physical, computational and general chemistry. Simulations of proteins is very important in biomedical research because proteins play crucial role in a large number of biological phenomena, both benign and harmful. ...

I enjoy teaching and interacting with the students especially in the lab when I have a chance to get to know the students and the way they think . It is particularly rewarding to me when I see the expression on their faces when they finally understand a difficult concept.

Christopher R. Lambert, Ph.D. is a Research Associate Professor with appointments both in the Bioengineering Institute and the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. He is the Associate Director of the WPI Bioengineering Institute. He is co-founder of Active Surface Technologies a research company dedicated to the development of specialized molecular films. Professor Lambert earned a Ph.D. from the University of Paisley in Scotland, and spent two years in a post-doctoral position at the Center for Fast Kinetics in Austin, Texas. ...

The hallmark of supramolecular chemistry is the design of molecular materials and structures that exhibit useful properties resulting from the collective interaction of different molecular components. Our research focuses on understanding molecular interaction and self-assembly in solution and on surfaces in order to control molecular crystallization and assembly of complex multicomponent systems. ...

Research in the Mattson Group is a combination of catalyst design, methodology development, and complex molecule synthesis. Our catalyst design program is focused on the synthesis and study of new families of non-covalent catalysts, including boronate ureas and silanediols, that are able to promote new reactivity patterns. The catalyst design and associated reaction development programs are currently geared toward the synthesis of enantioenriched nitrogen and oxygen heterocycles that frequently appear in naturally occurring bioactive compounds. ...

Aya Narunsky is a computational biochemist focusing on the molecular evolution of proteins and RNA. She completed her PhD at Tel Aviv University under the mentorship of Prof. Nir Ben-Tal, where she became fascinated with origin-of-life research through her studies on the evolution of protein-ligand interactions. She then joined the lab of Prof. Ronald Breaker at Yale University as a postdoctoral researcher, where she led the computational discovery and characterization of novel noncoding RNAs in bacteria. ...

Membranes are composed of hundreds of distinct kinds of phospholipids, and the types of lipids that are found within a membrane bilayer impact its biophysical properties including its fluidity, permeability and susceptibility to damage. Our primary interest is in understanding the mechanisms that control the phospholipid composition and that preserve the membrane over time. We use stable isotope tracing strategies and mass spectrometry to quantify phospholipid abundance and dynamics in the model organism, C. elegans.

Raúl teaches undergraduate courses in general chemistry and organic chemistry. His teaching approach focuses on making students aware of their heterogeneity of thinking, leveraging students’ cultural practices, and promoting equity and social justice through chemistry teaching. Raúl’s research focuses on exploring both student learning and teaching practices employing sociocultural approaches. He is interested in culturally relevant pedagogy, formative assessment, conceptual profile theory, and chemistry capital. ...

Suzanne Scarlata, Richard Whitcomb Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, joined the university faculty in 2016. She studies how small molecules in the bloodstream can change the behavior of cells. In particular, she is interested in how certain hormones and neurotransmitters can activate a family of organic molecules known as G proteins (guanine nucleotide-binding proteins), which are involved in transmitting signals from various stimuli from the exterior to the interior of cells. ...

Project-based learning is an enormously powerful approach to education. I’ve been changed by it; I’ve watched students be changed by it. I’ve seen faculty develop a renewed sense of joy in teaching from using it. And now, after over a decade of using PBL with students, I’m embarking on a new phase of helping faculty implement PBL through the work of the Center for Project-Based Learning. ...

Students here at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have a lot of enthusiasm and ambition, and it certainly is contagious. Teaching brings a lot of joy because of this, and I find myself often trying just to keep up with the students! I love to collaborate with people from many different backgrounds and technical interests. For my research, I work in the area of molecular modeling: trying to understand and solve energy and environmental problems using high-powered computer simulations. I am also involved in supporting, educating, and empowering introverted students. ...