Category: News

Perrine Article Published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry A

Katherine Perrine next to a scanning electron microscope.

Michigan Tech Associate Professor Kathryn Perrine, along with alumni Chathura de Alwis ‘20 ’22  MS PhD Chemistry and Kayleigh Wahr ’22, BS Chemistry are the authors of an article published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry A of the American Chemical Society.

The article is titled “Influence of Cations on Direct CO2 Capture and Mineral Film Formation: The Role of KCl and MgCl2 at the Air/Electrolyte/Iron Interface.” The study finds that Mg2+ and K+ influence atmospheric CO2 adsorption to form cation-specific carbonate films through iron surface oxidation and corrosion at the air/solution/iron interface. These findings are relevant for uncovering mechanisms of CO2 capture as well as planetary and environmental processes.

The research team’s work was featured on the journal’s supplementary cover of the May 23 issue.

This project was supported by NASA through the Michigan Space Grant Consortium and by the National Science Foundation.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry A showcased work from the Perrine Lab in its May 8 issue.
This diagram from the publication shows how the cation, an ion with positive charge, influenced the film composition and growth rates, as corroborated by infrared and photoelectron spectroscopy.

About Kathryn Perrine

Co-winner of Michigan Tech’s 2023 Bhakta Rath Award, Perrine has more than 17 years of experience in the field of surface science, at the gas/solid interface and liquid/vapor interface. Perrine’s multidisciplinary lab encompasses the fields of chemistry, physics, and materials science and engineering.

Skilled in modern surface analysis instruments, including Atomic Force Microscopy, Auger Electron Spectroscopy, Polarized Modulated-Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS and IRRAS) and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, Temperature Programmed Desorption, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy for surface analysis, Perrine focuses on interfacial reactions on iron and other earth-abundant materials for understanding environmental and energy processes using a surface catalysis approach.

Perrine’s knowledge extends to semiconductor film growth, using bottom-up surface functionalization, and measuring the interaction of aqueous solutions of organics, solutes, and ionic solutions at the liquid/vapor interface, using Liquid-Jet XPS.


About the Chemistry Department at Michigan Tech

Chemists at Michigan Technological University help students apply academic concepts to real-world issues and advance research making contributions to health and well-being, environmental protection, responsible use of materials, and climate stabilization. The Chemistry Department offers five undergraduate degrees, an MS and PhD in Chemistry, and an accelerated MS. Supercharge your chemistry skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow’s high-tech business landscape.

Questions? Contact us at chemistry@mtu.edu.

In Print: Christov Published in ACS Journal Biochemistry

A team from the Department of Chemistry at Michigan Technological University has published an article in the American Chemical Society (ACS) journal Biochemistry.

The MTU team is led by Christo Z. Christov and includes Ph.D. students Midhun G. Thomas and Simahudeen Bathir J.S. Rifayee. In addition, a team of Michigan State University researchers including Shramana Chatterjee, Mathia Fellner, and Joel Rankin, led by Jian Hu and Robert Hausinger, are collaborators in this study.

Christov ACS Biochemistry
Christo Z. Christov
Professor of Chemistry
Midhun Thomas ACS Journal Biochemistry
Midhun G. Thomas
Ph.D. student of Chemistry
Bathir ACS Biochemistry
Simahudeen Bathir J.S. Rifayee
Ph.D. student of Chemistry

The article is titled “Structural, Spectroscopic, and Computational Insights from Canavanine-Bound and Two Catalytically Compromised Variants of the Ethylene-Forming Enzyme.” This study on the Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent ethylene-forming enzyme (EFE) reveals how the change of key residues in the second coordination sphere and the binding of alternative substrates influence the EFE’s structure-function relationships and can be used for increasing the ethylene production.

The research is supported by NSF grants 1904215 and 2203630 to C.Z.C. and 1904295 and 2203472 to R.P.H. and J.H.”

About the Chemistry Department at Michigan Tech

Chemists at Michigan Technological University help students apply academic concepts to real-world issues and advance research making contributions to health and well-being, environmental protection, responsible use of materials, and climate stabilization. The Chemistry Department offers five undergraduate degrees, an MS and PhD in Chemistry, and an accelerated MS. Supercharge your chemistry skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow’s high-tech business landscape.

Questions? Contact us at chemistry@mtu.edu. Follow all the latest happenings on the Chemistry Blog

Karabencheva-Christova Lab Reveals Molecular Mechanism of Cancer-Associated Enzyme

Cover page and images of Karabencheva-Christova's New Study
Karabencheva-Christova Publishes New Study
Tatyana Karabencheva-Christova
Associate Professor

A recent research article by Karabencheva-Christova’s group was showcased on the back cover of Chemical Science, the flagship journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

The team led by Dr. Karabencheva-Christova includes Ph.D. students Anandhu Krisnan (first author) and Fathima Hameed Cherilakkudy; Ph.D. graduate Sodiq Waheed ’23, currently a researcher at Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, Indiana; and Ph.D. graduate Ann Varghese ’23, currently a postdoctoral researcher at the National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in Jefferson, Arkansas. Professor Christopher J. Schofield from the University of Oxford, U.K., was a collaborator on the study.

The research illuminates the origin of the atypical catalytic strategy employed by the human non-heme Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase AspH, which is a target for anticancer therapy.
This research was funded by NIH grant 2R15GM132873-02. We thank Sarah Atkinson (RD, MTU) for her assistance with image preparation.

Anandhu Krisnan, Karabencheva-Christova New Study
Anandhu Krisnan
Ph.D. student
Fathima Hameed Cherilakkudy, Karabencheva-Christova New Study
Fathima Hameed Cherilakkudy
PhD Student
Ann Varghese ’23
Ann Varghese ’23
Ph.D. graduate
Sodiq Waheed ’23
Sodiq Waheed ’23
Ph.D. graduate

About the Chemistry Department at Michigan Tech

Chemists at Michigan Technological University help students apply academic concepts to real-world issues and advance research making contributions to health and well-being, environmental protection, responsible use of materials, and climate stabilization. The Chemistry Department offers five undergraduate degrees, an MS and PhD in Chemistry, and an accelerated MS. Supercharge your chemistry skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow’s high-tech business landscape.

Questions? Contact us at chemistry@mtu.edu. Follow all the latest happenings on the Chemistry Blog.

In Print: Collaborative Cancer Research Published

Cover page of the journal on Cancer Research
Cover Page of the Journal of Materials Chemistry B

A team of dedicated researchers achieved a significant milestone in the field of cancer detection and monitoring. Their collaborative cancer research culminated in the publication of a paper in the prestigious Journal of Materials Chemistry B.

Collaboration Across Departments

The team was led by Ph.D. student Dilka Liyana Arachchige, alongside Research Scientist Sushil K. Dwivedi (Chem); undergraduate students May Waters, Sophia Jaeger, Joe Peters, Daniel R. Tucker and Micaela Geborkoff; and Professors Thomas Werner (Biological Sciences) and Rudy L. Luck and Haiying Liu (both Chemistry).

Their groundbreaking paper is titled “Sensitive monitoring of NAD(P)H levels within cancer cells using mitochondria-targeted near-infrared cyanine dyes with optimized electron-withdrawing acceptors.

Cancer Research Featured on the Cover

Highlighted on the journal’s front cover, the research introduces two cutting-edge near-infrared cyanine dyes meticulously engineered for the precise detection of NAD(P)H, a critical biomarker in cancer metabolism. These dyes exhibit primary absorption peaks at 438 nm and 470 nm, transitioning seamlessly into fluorescence at 748 nm and 730 nm upon interaction with NAD(P)H, showcasing an unprecedented level of sensitivity. Notably, their unique design enables deep tissue penetration with minimal disruption, rendering them invaluable for non-invasive cancer detection and continuous monitoring.

Of particular significance is their efficacy in monitoring glycolysis-induced NAD(P)H levels within mitochondria, offering insights into cancer cell metabolism and the effects of chemotherapy drugs. This breakthrough promises to advance our understanding of cancer progression and enhance treatment strategies.

 Key Funding Agencies Support Collaborative Cancer Research

The research, supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Institutes of Health under multiple award numbers, underscores the vital role of funding agencies in driving scientific innovation. Liu, expressing gratitude as a co-PI, acknowledges the National Science Foundation’s support for a new NMR spectrometer, emphasizing the collaborative effort across disciplines in pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.


About the Chemistry Department at Michigan Technological University

Chemists at Michigan Technological University help students apply academic concepts to real-world issues and advance research making contributions to health and well-being, environmental protection, responsible use of materials, and climate stabilization. The Chemistry Department offers five undergraduate degrees, an MS and PhD in Chemistry, and an accelerated MS. Supercharge your chemistry skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow’s high-tech business landscape.

Questions? Contact us at chemistry@mtu.edu. Follow all the latest happenings on the Chemistry Blog.

Chemistry’s Reilly Rewarded With Spot in Dean’s Teaching Showcase

College of Sciences and Arts Dean Ravindra Pandey has selected Lorri Reilly, for this spring’s Deans’ Teaching Showcase. Reilly will be recognized at an end-of-term luncheon with other spring showcase members. Her selection makes her a candidate for the CTL Instructional Award Series.

Lorri Reilly
Lorri Reilly Dean’s Teaching Showcase Selection

Reilly is an integral member of the instructional team providing lab experiences for students in first-year chemistry. Department of Chemistry Chair Athar Ata called Reilly “the anchor of first-year chemistry labs,” noting that she has “worked tirelessly to ensure they continue running smoothly. Her efforts have been instrumental in maintaining an engaging and effective learning environment. Lorri’s enthusiasm and approachability have made her well-liked among students, many of whom regularly visit her in her office.”

Reilly’s responsibilities include preparing graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) for success in laboratory instruction by demonstrating labs. Additionally, she asks GTAs to carry out these labs in her presence. This ensures all GTAs feel confident with the curriculum and in their ability to guide undergraduate students. Furthermore, she monitors the labs to verify that safety regulations for chemical handling are followed by the first-year students. This helps the Department ensure students receive proper lab training in skills they will need in higher-level STEM courses. Since 1991, Reilly has trained over 30,000 students and several teaching assistants in first-year chemistry.

Reilly Contributes to Curriculum Development

Reilly has also contributed significantly to curriculum development within the chemistry department. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reilly worked with the Department to adapt and develop instructional approaches that ensured that students still received essential lab training. Reilly played an integral role in a departmentwide project to revamp the curriculum for first-year chemistry labs.

“Providing meaningful hands-on laboratory experiences from the very beginning of a student’s academic experience is part of what makes Michigan Tech a leader in STEM education,” noted Maria Bergstrom, associate dean for undergraduate education. “The College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to recognize the significant instructional work of Lorri Reilly, and others like her, who help develop and deliver our laboratory-based curriculum. In recognizing Ms. Reilly’s contributions, we draw attention to the ways that impactful instruction is the result of a collaborative effort that benefits all students.”

A version of this story originally appeared in the March 8, 2024 edition of Tech Today, written by the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning

About the Chemistry Department at Michigan Technological University

Chemists at Michigan Technological University help students apply academic concepts to real-world issues and advance research making contributions to health and well-being, environmental protection, responsible use of materials, and climate stabilization. The Chemistry Department offers five undergraduate degrees, an MS and PhD in Chemistry, and an accelerated MS. Supercharge your chemistry skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow’s high-tech business landscape.

Questions? Contact us at chemistry@mtu.edu. Follow all the latest happenings on the Chemistry Blog.

In-Print: Karabencheva-Christova featured in the the Journal of Physical Chemistry B

Tatyana G. Karabencheva-Christova
Dr. Karabencheva-Christova

A team from the Department of Chemistry, led by Associate Professor Tatyana Karabencheva-Christova and including Ph.D. student Ann Varghese (first author); Sodiq Waheed ’23 (Ph.D. Computational Chemistry, currently a researcher at Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, Indiana); postdoctoral researcher Koteswararao Gorantla; and undergraduate students Isabella DiCastri, Ciara LaRouche and Brendan Kaski, has published an article in the Journal of Physical Chemistry B.

The article is titled “Catalytic Mechanism of Collagen Hydrolysis by Zinc(II)-Dependent Matrix Metalloproteinase-1”

Professor Gregg Fields from Florida Atlantic University is a collaborator in this study.

The study reveals the catalytic mechanism of collagen hydrolysis by matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), an extensive target for drug design, for the first time via a multilevel computational chemistry approach. The article was featured as a supplementary cover. The authors thank Sarah Atkinson (RD) for assisting with cover image preparation. The study is funded by NIH grant 2R15GM132873-02.

About the Chemistry Department at Michigan Technological University

Chemists at Michigan Technological University help students apply academic concepts to real-world issues and advance research making contributions to health and well-being, environmental protection, responsible use of materials, and climate stabilization. The Chemistry Department offers five undergraduate degrees, an MS and PhD in Chemistry, and an accelerated MS. Supercharge your chemistry skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow’s high-tech business landscape.

Questions? Contact us at chemistry@mtu.edu. Follow all the latest happenings on the Chemistry Blog.

In Print: Tatyana Karabencheva-Christova Revealing the Catalytic Strategy of FTO

Diagram of the FTO enzyme catalysis
The FTO enzyme catalyzes the reaction of hydroxylation of 6-methyladenine (m6A) to 6-hydroxymethyl adenine (hm6-A) and then the reaction of oxidation of hm6-A to 6-formyl adenine (f6A). Mutations of the residues in the second coordination sphere influence the activation barrier of the Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT) which is the rate-limiting step.

A team from the Department of Chemistry led by Associate Professor Tatyana Karabencheva-Christova and including Ph.D. student Ann Varghese (first author); former Ph.D. students Sodiq Waheed ’23 (Ph.D. Computational Chemistry, currently a researcher at Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis) and Shobhit Chaturvedi ’22 (M.S. Ph.D. Chemistry, currently a postdoctoral researcher at UCLA); and undergraduate students Isabella DiCastri, Ciara LaRouche and Brendan Kaski has published an article in Chem Catalysis.

The article is titled “Revealing the catalytic strategy of FTO.” It provides unique insight into the catalytic mechanism of the fat-mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), which is an Fe(II)- and 2-oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent oxygenase targeted for treating obesity and cancer. The study reveals that the mutant R316Q, which is related to diseases, slows down the O2 activation and hydrogen atom transfer rates.

Professor Christo Christov (Chem) is a collaborator in this study, along with Nicolai Lehnert of the University of Michigan and Deyu Li of the University of Rhode Island.

The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health grant 2R15GM132873-02.

About the Chemistry Department at Michigan Technological University

Chemists at Michigan Technological University help students apply academic concepts to real-world issues and advance research making contributions to health and well-being, environmental protection, responsible use of materials, and climate stabilization. The Chemistry Department offers five undergraduate degrees, an MS and PhD in Chemistry, and an accelerated MS. Supercharge your chemistry skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow’s high-tech business landscape.

Questions? Contact us at chemistry@mtu.edu. Follow all the latest happenings on the Chemistry Blog.

In Print: Christo Christov: Catalysis by KDM6 Histone Demethylases – A Synergy between the Non-Heme Iron(II) Center, Second Coordination Sphere, and Long-Range Interactions

Chemistry A European Journal cover image
Chemistry A European Journal Sept 2023 Cover (by Sarah Atkinson)

A research team led by Professor Christo Christov (Chem) published the article “Catalysis by KDM6 Histone Demethylases – A Synergy between the Non-Heme Iron(II) Center, Second Coordination Sphere, and Long-Range Interactions,” in Chemistry – A European Journal. The article was selected for a journal cover feature, prepared with the help of Sarah Atkinson.

Many researchers contributed, including Ph.D. student Bathir Jaber Sathik Rifayee (chemistry, the first author); Ph.D. graduate Shobhit Chaturvedi ’22 (M.S. Ph.D. Chemistry, currently a postdoctoral researcher at UCLA); undergraduate students Cait Warner (biological sciences), Jon Wildey (chemical engineering) and Walter White (chemistry); Associate Professor Martin Thompson (Chem); and Professor Christopher Schofield of the University of Oxford, U.K.,

The study revealed the catalytic mechanism of the non-heme Fe(II)/2Oxoglutarate-Dependent histone demethylases from class 6 – KDM6A and KDM6B – enzymes involved in epigenetics regulation and being validated target for drug design. The study revealed the vital role of the second coordination sphere surrounding the non-heme iron center to stabilize the key catalytic species along the catalytic cycle and importantly elucidated the differences in the transition state-stabilization residues between the two enzymes, thus providing background for enzyme-specific drug design.

This research is supported by NIH grant 1R15GM139118.

About the Chemistry Department at Michigan Tech

Chemists at Michigan Technological University help students apply academic concepts to real-world issues and advance research making contributions to health and well-being, environmental protection, responsible use of materials, and climate stabilization. The Chemistry Department offers five undergraduate degrees, an MS and PhD in Chemistry, and an accelerated MS. Supercharge your chemistry skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow’s high-tech business landscape.

Questions? Contact us at chemistry@mtu.edu. Follow all the latest happenings on the Chemistry Blog.

New Funding: National Institutes of Health Awards Haiying Liu and Rudy Luck

Haiying Liu
Haiying Liu

Haiying Liu has been awarded a supplementary grant of $18,995 from the National Institutes of Health. The grant supplements Liu’s parent grant related to the project titled “Near-infrared Fluorescent Probes for Sensitive Detection of NADH in Live Cells,” bringing the total accumulated funding to $488,495.

Rudy Luck is a co-PI on this potential three-year project.

Rudy Luck
Rudy Luck

This supplemental grant will enable the acquisition of a cell incubator equipped with precise oxygen level control. Controlling oxygen levels offers significant advantages for studying NAD(P)H levels in live cells during drug treatment, including enhanced accuracy, reproducibility and the ability to mimic specific physiological conditions.

The research goals of this project involve the design and development of near-infrared fluorescent probes, facilitating accurate and quantitative analysis of alterations in NAD(P)H concentrations within the mitochondria of live cells, specifically within the glycolysis pathway. This comprehensive analysis will encompass diverse metabolic processes and the variations occurring during mitophagy induced by cell starvation and drug treatment. The overarching objective is to attain a more profound understanding of both physiological and pathological processes.

About the Chemistry Department

Chemists at Michigan Technological University help students apply academic concepts to real-world issues and advance research making contributions to health and well-being, environmental protection, responsible use of materials, and climate stabilization. The Chemistry Department offers five undergraduate degrees and a master’s and PhD in chemistry. Supercharge your chemistry skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow’s high-tech business landscape.

Questions? Contact us at chemistry@mtu.edu.

Migrating to Mitochondria: Vincent Pellizzon’s Biochemistry Journey

Vincent Pellizzon
Vincent Pellizzon

High school students are often unsure of what major to select when applying to college. There are so many interesting fields to choose from. Even when you think you have settled on a degree path, exposure to different subjects and concepts in the first year can steer you in a different direction. Such is the case for Vincent Pellizzon, although the change from pharmaceutical chemistry to biochemistry is nuanced. Learn about Vincent’s journey to a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a chemistry focus.

Vincent Pellizzon’s Chemistry Attraction

Vincent Pellizzon’s interest in chemistry blossomed at Forest Hills High School in Grand Rapids. Energetic and exciting lessons, riddled with humor from Russell Chudy, drew Vincent into chemistry. His AP Chemistry teacher, David VonEhr pushed him to learn and succeed. “I enjoyed learning the more advanced concepts from Mr. Von Ehr. He showed me I had the talent for chemistry and motivated me to learn more about what I could do with it,” he says.

Vincent came to Tech interested in pharmaceutical chemistry (now offered as medicinal chemistry) but soon realized it was focused on designing and synthesizing medicines. He yearned for a broader curriculum. “After switching, I was put into a lot more bio classes, which I thoroughly enjoyed! Microbiology, molecular biology, and genetics were all classes that were not included in the pharmaceutical chemistry program. I realized I don’t want to learn about chemical synthesis and analysis as much as I want to study the properties of the resulting molecules and their impacts on biological processes. Of course, synthesis and identification will be a huge part of the job, but certainly not my focus!” he says.

Plus, a paper mill engineer he spoke to recommended he switch to a more general degree.  He enjoyed Andrew Galerneau’s Organic Chemistry Lab 1 class at Tech. He realized he was attracted to the biological and organic aspects of chemistry.  “Life is complicated and interesting. There are many mechanisms involved in different processes. We can now throw a chemical into a process to see how it impacts the process. As a biochemist, I can help develop therapies.”

Switching to Biochemistry

It was clear that first year at Tech, chemistry was a good fit. Vincent won the Outstanding Student in First Year Chemistry award. He switched to the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.  Vincent loves biochemistry. He likes to see how compounds can impact a system. And he wants to dig into the how.  Vincent says, “Secrets are boring. I want to know the answers. Why can’t  I know?”

“After I began my summer research, I dove into some of the biological mechanisms that are involved in hypertension, specifically with oxidative stress. As we’ve continued, we began to focus on the mitochondria, the subcellular organs that make energy, as the main drug targets to alleviate hypertension. Will this compound reduce oxidative stress in the mitochondria? Then we would ask how does this compound affect oxidative stress in the mitochondria? What mechanism is it acting on? Directly by reducing harmful species, or by restoring function to a biological pathway that helps reduce the harmful species or otherwise benefits the mitochondria?” Vincent says.

Helping Peers in the Chemistry Learning Center

Vincent puts his knowledge of chemistry to good use for others as a Chemistry Learning Center (CLC) coach. “I love working in the CLC. It all started with AP chemistry in my junior year of high school. A majority of my classmates were struggling, and I found that I enjoyed explaining chemical concepts and helping others understand chemistry and be successful in their classes. I work in the CLC because I like helping students learn chemistry, no matter the level that they are at, and the feeling of reward knowing that I have helped someone makes it worth it,” he says.

“I personally prefer more informality than some coaches because I feel it creates a more comfortable environment for my students. Who wants to go into a stuffy learning environment where the coaches feel they’re superior to you? Everyone learns at a different rate and with a different style, that’s why we have the CLC and why we want to support our students,” he says.

Applied Learning Doing Hypertension Research in the Lab

Vincent in lab coat removing supernatant from a centrifuged sample
Vincent preparing a sample for Flow Cytometry

Applied learning in the lab augments Vincent’s biochemistry studies. He is working with Lanrong Bi and Zhiying Shan to alleviate hypertension.  Vincent says, “I chose this focus because hypertension is extremely common and is a major risk factor in many diseases, which affect millions of people every year. I have always had an interest in anatomy, particularly with the cardiovascular system and the vasculature, and after doing a paper in my second year about nitric oxide synthase I became aware of and interested in the effects of oxidative stress on the cardiovascular system. My dad is a cardiologist and when I was young I also wanted to be a doctor, so I guess I inherited his interest in the cardiovascular system and my mom’s interest in pharmaceuticals!”

Vincent’s research is tricky as there are many causes of hypertension. His research focuses on relieving oxidative stress, preventing damage in mitochondria, and helping the cell degrade/dissolve damaged mitochondria. He explains, “This research focuses on the solid-phase synthesis of peptide-based antioxidants that target the mitochondria. We have this core structure that consists of an antioxidant moiety (chemical group) called Tempo and three amino acids, RGD, (Arginine [R], Glycine [G], and Aspartic Acid [D]). The solid-phase part means we’re not synthesizing these in solution, but immobilizing it on a solid surface and adding each part stepwise.”

“What I’m doing is adding another antioxidant amino acid to that chain to make some Tempo-RGD with another amino acid appended onto the chain. We are analyzing how adding 5 different amino acids with antioxidant properties changes the antioxidant strength of the Tempo-RGD and its ability to localize to the mitochondria. The point of the antioxidants is to reduce oxidative stress in the vasculature’s mitochondria with the goal of relieving hypertension. Oxidative stress and hypertension are deeply connected, and essentially no matter how hypertension has been induced there is an imbalance of radical Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and removing the ROS is increasingly proving to be a good way of mitigating hypertension. Dr. Bi’s lab is heavily focused on the phenomena called autophagy, or the process by which a cell recycles its own molecules and organelles,” he explains.

Growing Cells in the Lab

Vincent is learning how to better work with eukaryotic cells, living cells that contain membrane-bound organelles such as a nucleus, mitochondria, and an endoplasmic reticulum. He is learning how to grow these cells outside the body. It’s a fundamental tool to use in the biochemistry field. This way he can study processes that may be too dangerous to perform on a living thing, while still seeing how a chemical or drug impacts the cells. 

Vincent says, “By growing or synthesizing cells outside of the body, researchers can see the detail of how a process is progressing. It’s a baseline. Helps me answer the question:  do I have a good idea? Easy to find the first steps of what I am doing. And testing on living organisms gives you the best results. All of the assays (processes to measure the concentration or find something in a solution) I have learned about are also very interesting, and I hope I can interpret data from them as well as the experts in the field. In the lab here at Tech, I am learning from an expert about the chemicals they are using and processes.” Vincent is looking forward to blasting cells with a drug he is creating in the lab.

Expectations for Research

Vincent has great expectations for his research. “I truly hope that we can use mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants to eliminate hypertension,” he says. “Right now, drugs like calcium blockers and ACE2 inhibitors reduce blood pressure but do not necessarily treat the underlying problem. Antioxidants and other drugs that promote the removal of defective mitochondria are, in theory, much “closer” to the right way to treat this, in my opinion. I think the future of hypertensive therapy is going to be ace-inhibitor and antioxidant cotherapy. They will not entirely eliminate it but pragmatically can make a dent. It’s important because hypertension impacts many systems and organs, like the kidney, heart, and cardiovascular system.”

Research Has Its Rewards

In the Spring of 2022, Vincent was one of two undergraduate winners of The Songer Award for Human Health Research. The award supports students doing health-related research in the College of Sciences and Arts, thanks to the generosity of Matthew Songer ’79, BS Biological Sciences, and Laura Songer ’80 BS Biological Sciences. The $4,000 award, along with matching funds from the College of Sciences and Arts, helped him continue his research.

Tech Love, Tech Life

In talking to Vincent, it is clear he loves Michigan Tech for a number of reasons. “Michigan Tech is a wonderful community in which to study biochemistry. The academics are amazing. All these non-engineering STEM departments are small. There is a collective knowledge here I don’t think I could have experienced anywhere else,” he says. “It’s been amazing to see my own development. Tech has helped me to grow so much.” 

And it’s not just the academics. “The atmosphere and the environment- I just love Michigan Tech. I love my degree. I am quite content with life here, and I have fun with friends.” 

Vincent has accomplished a lot in four years at Tech. His hard work has led to many opportunities to make a difference in the Chemistry Learning Center and in the lab. He sees it all as part of an investment in his future. “If I am not working hard for my degree, I am just wasting time and money,” he says.

What’s Next For Vincent Pellizzon?

Vincent is graduating in the spring of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a chemistry focus. He will enter the accelerated master’s in chemistry with Dr. Bi as his advisor and continue his hypertension research. “If you want to do research, getting your master’s is a great route to go. And Tech makes it easy to get your master’s with just one additional year,” he says.

“With my master’s I can embark on a career where I will have some influence over what we are doing and why. I can be more involved than I would otherwise be as a technician. I can lead projects and have more say in experimental design. I can get the experience faster. And maybe get a sponsor for a PhD afterward,” he says.

“I’m really heavily considering going for a Ph.D. now. I feel confident enough to accomplish it, and I finally realized that my childhood dream of being a scientist is so close to being realized. Being a PhD would allow for so much more flexibility in projects, and honestly, I love the school environment so I am also considering possibly becoming a professor since they are also leading experts in their fields. Regardless of whether or not I get my PhD, I am firmly set in my interests of ROS stress and hypertension and want to continue doing this for many years to come.”

It’s easy to envision the day students like Vincent will be sitting in his classroom. Or will be getting some extra help in the Chemistry Learning Center for the next exam from Professor Pellizzon.  Perhaps Professor Pellizzon will help many students to find the path that is right for them. And we look forward to the day when we will find a link to his latest research publication on PubMed.