Resume

• 2004

  University of Pittsburgh

  Eastern York School District

  Westville

  IN

  Instruction of general and analytical chemistry courses

  computational research of the structure of small peptides

  supervision and mentoring of undergraduates.\n(Note: Purdue University Northwest was formed by the unification of two Purdue campuses

  North Central and Calumet

  during the summer of 2016.)

  Associate Professor of Chemistry

  Purdue University Northwest

  Westville

  IN

  Instruction of undergraduate chemistry courses (including general and analytical)

  supervision of undergraduate research in physical chemistry

  and outreach to science programs in local K-12 schools.

  Assistant Professor of Chemistry

  Purdue University North Central

  Wrightsville

  PA

  Taught high school chemistry

  physical science

  physics

  and general science.

  Teacher

  Eastern York School District

  Pittsburgh

  PA

  Electronic spectroscopy research on biomolecules

  Graduate Student Researcher

  University of Pittsburgh

  Monterey

  CA

  Chemistry Instructor

  Monterey Peninsula College

  Pittsburgh

  PA

  Instruction of laboratory and recitation sections including Honors General Chemistry I & II.

  Teaching Assistant

  University of Pittsburgh

  Westville

  IN

  Continuing lecturer of chemistry and dual credit coordinator for the Biology/Chemistry department.

  Continuing Lecturer

  Purdue University North Central

  Chemistry Section Chair

  2013 - 2014 and Chemistry Section Vice-Chair

  2012 - 2013

  Indiana Academy of Science

  Ph.D.

  Physical Chemistry

  Phi Lambda Upsilon (Chemistry Honors Fraternity)

  University of Pittsburgh

• 1997

  BSED

  Chemistry Education

  General Education

• Molecular Modeling

  Research

  University Teaching

  Public Speaking

  Microsoft Office

  Computational Chemistry

  UV/Vis Spectroscopy

  Chemistry

  Spectroscopy

  Analytical Chemistry

  UV/Vis

  Physical Chemistry

  Teaching

  Laboratory

  Science

  Higher Education

  Molecular Dynamics

  Re-examination of the rotationally resolved spectra of the electronic origin and several vibronic bands of 1

  3-benzodioxole

  David W. Pratt

  Leonardo Alvarez-Valtierra

  The structure and vibrations of 1

  3-benzodioxole are reinterpreted using rotational constants and inertial defects obtained from high resolution electronic spectroscopy. Results are examined in light of previously published theoretical calculations and conclusions are drawn regarding vibrational assignments for transitions to the excited state. Compared to the ground state

  the excited S1 state has a significantly more nonplanar geometry (and/or is considerably less rigid)

  owing to an enhanced anomeric effect involving the oxygen lone pair electrons.

  Re-examination of the rotationally resolved spectra of the electronic origin and several vibronic bands of 1

  3-benzodioxole

  David W. Pratt

  Leonardo Alvarez-Valtierra

  Justin W. Young

  High-resolution fluorescence excitation experiments on 1-phenylpyrrole in a molecular beam

  both in the absence and presence of an applied electric field

  show that the electronic state responsible for the strong features in the gas-phase UV absorption spectrum is the 1Lb state

  that this state is significantly more planar than the ground state

  and that the direction of the permanent electric dipole moment in the 1Lb state is reversed relative to that of the ground state. Implications of these findings for intramolecular charge transfer in the isolated molecule are discussed.

  Stark-Effect Studies of 1-Phenylpyrrole in the Gas Phase. Dipole Reversal upon Electronic Excitation

  Harshini Fernando

  Predicting students' aptitude for post-secondary success remains a widely studied topic. This descriptive study explored demographic variables contributing to success in quantitative courses required by the nursing degree plan. Identification of an “at risk” student profile may inform interventions with which to support attainment of an academic degree.\n\nThe purpose of this study was to examine the associations between demographic characteristics and successful completion of baccalaureate nursing courses thought to enhance quantitative reasoning skills: first-year math

  first-year chemistry

  and second-year pathopharmacology nursing.\n\nThis retrospective analysis accessed 4521 academic records of students who took these three courses at a United States university sometime between Fall 2008 and Fall 2015. De-identified student data included course grades

  gender

  full-time study

  income

  marital status

  first generation

  secondary school location

  dual credit

  and high school and university grade point averages. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted to describe the important features of the data.\n\nOf the 4521 records

  2556 undergraduates (57%) passed the courses in which they were enrolled. Among successful students

  females outnumbered males (66%)

  ages ranged from 20 to 24 years

  86% were classified as low income

  54% fit the designation of first generation

  and 12% earned dual credit. Our data demonstrate a positive relationship between dual credit and success

  with the strongest correlation (0.62) noted for students in pathopharmacology.\n\nIn the baccalaureate-nursing plan of study

  courses thought to enhance students' quantitative reasoning skills remain difficult for some to successfully complete. We conclude that the more successful students tend to be older

  have a higher income

  and a higher high school grade point average

  while those less successful are directly out of high school and have not earned dual credit.

  FIRST-YEAR SUCCESS IN A NURSING BACCALAUREATE PLAN OF STUDY: A DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH STUDY

  Michel Mons

  David W. Pratt

  Yohan Loquais

  Eric Gloaguen

  Aromatic amino acids are known for their hydrophobicity and the active role they play in protein folding. Here

  we investigate the intrinsic propensity of small peptides to form hydrophobic domains in the absence of solvent water molecules. The structures of three aromatic-rich isolated peptides

  Ac-Phe-Phe-NH2 (FF)

  Ac-Trp-Tyr-NH2 (WY)

  and Ac-Phe-Phe-Phe-NH2 (FFF)

  all in the gas phase

  have been studied by infrared–ultraviolet (IR/UV) double resonance laser spectroscopy

  aided by dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D) calculations. Spontaneous formation of hydrophobic domains is systematically observed

  whatever the secondary structure adopted by the backbone. Various types of aromatic–aromatic arrangements have been identified and associated to specific secondary structures

  illustrating the interplay between the hydrophobic clusters and the backbone. Backbone NH amide groups surrounded by aromatic rings have also been evidenced and are found to contribute significantly to the stabilization of aromatic pairs. These results suggest that the formation of aromatic clusters involving contiguous residues might be a very efficient process leading to the formation of hydrophobic domains in the early stages of protein folding

  well before a hydrophobic collapse into the tertiary structure.

  Spontaneous Formation of Hydrophobic Domains in Isolated Peptides

  Advisor: Dr. Jessica Thomas [Purdue University

  North Central]\n\nWe used computer simulations with the goal of understanding and identifying trends in the intramolecular interactions in the normal and ΔF508 cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator using molecular dynamics and density functional theory.

  Thomas

  Jessica

  Thomas

  Monterey Peninsula College

  Purdue University North Central

  Purdue University Northwest