University Catalog 2024-2025

Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the science which is concerned with the discovery and understanding of the chemical principles of life. It is a wide-ranging field from the composition, biosynthesis, structure and function of biomolecules to the control and regulation of biochemical processes within organelles, cells, organs and organisms. Biochemical principles form the basis of most laboratory procedures within the life cycle.

Awards

The H. Robert Horton Award is given to the outstanding student in Biochemistry based on scholarly and research achievements. 

Honors

The honors program in Biochemistry is jointly administered within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Sciences. It is designed for students who wish to explore advanced courses and/or research and be rewarded for outstanding academic achievement.

Curricula

The curriculum emphasizes the fundamentals of biological, chemical, and physical sciences, offering students both breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding. It is designed to provide students with broad experience in biological and chemical sciences and to encourage the development of experimental skills. Because of the breadth of the course requirements, many students can can add a second major in a variety of science disciplines such as Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Genetics, or Chemistry. Minors can also be added from various disciplines.

For more information about this department, including contact information, visit the department website.

Faculty

Department Head

  • Melanie Simpson

Director of Graduate Programs

  • Joseph J. Barycki

Undergraduate Coordinators

  • Trino Ascencio-Ibanez
  • Charles Hardin

William Neal Reynolds Professors

  • Dennis T. Brown

Professors

  • Joseph Barycki
  • Dennis Brown
  • Thomas Makris
  • Flora Meilleur
  • Melanie A. Simpson

Adjunct Professor

  • M. Luther

Professors Emeriti

  • Cynthia Hemenway
  • H.R. Horton
  • James Knopp
  • E. Stuart Maxwell
  • William Miller
  • Elizabeth Theil
  • Paul Wollenzien

Associate Professors

  • Colleen Doherty
  • Michael Goshe
  • Charles Hardin
  • Ruben Rellen-Alvarez
  • Robert Rose
  • Guozhou Xu

Assistant Professors

  • Kerim Eroglu
  • Arion Kennedy
  • Xiaojing Liu
  • Ryan Sartor
  • Joshua Strable
  • Ning Sui

Teaching Associate Professor

  • Trino Ascencio-Ibanez

Teaching Assistant Professors

  • Hung-Chieh (Kenny) Kuo
  • David Presutti

Research Associate Professors

  • Raquel Hernandez

Research Assistant Professor

  • Paul Swartz
  • Peter Thompson