Transcript STEMing the TIDE for the Next Generation

STEMing the TIDE for the Next
Generation
George Acquaah
Bowie State University, MD
STEMing the TIDE
Promoting STEM Through Integrated and
Diversified Experiences
Key Research Themes and Teams
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Medicinal Chemistry/Drug discovery
Nanotechnology
Virtual Reality
Artificial Intelligence
Protein Structure and Crystallography
Biotechnology
Cyber Security and Emerging Technologies
Prototype Modeling
Quantum Mechanics
Strategies for STEMing the TIDE
• Promote faculty development in STEM
• Establish “Programs of Excellence” in STEM
teaching and research
• Infuse research into STEM curriculum
• Diversify student experiences
• Engage STEM industry and other stakeholders
• Engage youth in STEM
• Communicate useful STEM information
ANDERSON RESEARCH GROUP
Organic chemistry; new methods development; synthesis of biologically
active natural products, synthesis of novel compounds with potential
nanotechnolgical applications
Training:
Harvard University, Postdoctoral
Research Fellow, 2003-2006
Howard University, Ph.D., 2003
Professional Experience:
Secretary, Chemical Society of Washington,
(4,000 memebers),January 2012- present
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Bowie State
University, 2009-present
Adjunct Professor of Organic Chemistry,
University of Maryland, College Park 2011present
Partnership to bring Polymer Sciences to Bowie State University
Initiates an interdisciplinary program in
research and development of
advanced polymers at BSU
Summer UNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIPS
undergraduate students at BSU will to participate in
Center research in cutting edge research platforms
Hands on Research Experiences for Students in
polymer research at BSU
New Courses and course components in
Polymer Sciences
Mariela Hernandez
Summer 2012 (first BSU cohort)
Nanotechnology- Anderson Group
Self-Assembling Dipolar Aryl Small Molecules: Design, Synthesis and Polarized Surface Layers
for Power-Efficient Organic Semiconductor Devices
Design, synthesis and characterization of several
novel functionalized aryl compounds at Bowie
State University
Electronic function assessment and nonlinear
optical characterization of the novel devices at
Johns Hopkins University
Research could lead to the next generationof sensors,
flexible electronics,nanoelectronics, and organized media
DRUG DISCOVERY- ANDERSON GROUP
SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL COMPOUNDS DERIVED
COMPONENTS FROM MANUKA HONEY
manuka honey has a antibacterial property
called Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) effective
against a wide range of bacteria including:
• helicobacter pylori - this bacteria causes
most stomach ulcers,
• staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli the most common cause of infected wounds
and MRSA,
• streptococcus pyogenes - causes sore
throats.
DRUG DISCOVERY- ANDERSON GROUP
Design and Synthesis of Novel Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
Phosphodiesterases are enzymes that play a major role in cell signaling and function,
by regulatinglevels of the second messengers cAMP and cGMP.
Success of therapeutic inhibitors has validated PDEs as important drug
targets
– Viagra/Cialis/Levitra (PDE5)
– Milrinone – heart failure (PDE3)
– Cilostazol – claudication (PDE3)
– Dipyridamole – anti platelet aggregation, stroke