Group Members

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Debbie Crans: Our Fearless Leader


Graduate Student Bios:

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Zeyad Arhouma

Focus: Vanadium and polyoxometalates as anti-tuberculosis agents
Skills: bacterial culturing, growth studies, vanadium NMR
Origin: Libya
Education: B. S. in Zoology from Benghazi University (Libya)
Hobbies: pool, soccer
Year Joined: 2014
 
 

Allison Haase

Focus: Analytical chemistry, bio-inorganic chemistry, impact of transition metals on bacteria.
Skills: LC/MS, Skyline MS software, Originlab software, Langmuir monolayers.
Origin: Sugarland, TX.
Education: B.S. in Professional Chemistry from Sam Houston State University (TX)
Interests: Reading, video games, handicrafts
Year Joined: 2016
 

Kate Kostenkova

Focus: synthesis, characterization and biological applications of vanadium-based anticancer compounds and lipid electron carriers
Skills: vanadium chemistry, inorganic and organic synthesis, NMR spectroscopy (1D and 2D), EPR spectroscopy
Origin: Kamianske, Ukraine 
Education: B. S. Chemistry (with Biology minor) – Whitworth University (WA)
Hobbies: rock climbing, yoga, running, hiking, and cooking
Year Joined: 2018
 
 
 

Andrew Bates

Focus: Organic Synthesis
Skills: NMR spectroscopy, prep TLC
Origin: Bloomington, IL
Education: B. S. in Chemistry from Colorado State University
Hobbies: Hiking, basketball, cooking, music
Year Joined: 2020
 

Skyler Markham

Focus: organic and organometallic chemistry
Skills: Pd chemistry, anhydrous technique, NMR
Origin: Topeka, KS
Education: B. S. in Chemistry from Fort Hays State University (KS)
Hobbies: disc golf, finding new parks to take my daughter to
Year Joined: 2020



John Manganaro

  • Focus: synthesis, characterization, and biological testing of cytotoxic vanadium (V) catechol complexes, with the intention of discovering new, more effective chemotherapeutics
  • Skills: organic and inorganic synthesis utilizing air-free, moisture-free Schlenk techniques. Experience with gold (I) catalysis, porphyrin synthesis, total synthesis of natural products, and vanadium chemistry. Characterization of novel compounds using 1H/13C/51V NMR (1D and 2D), mass spec, and UV Vis. Collaboration with biochemists and analytical chemists.
  • Origin: born in Pensacola, FL, raised in Normal, IL
  • Education: B.S. in Chemistry at Miami University
  • Hobbies: rock climbing, lock picking, and reading
  • Year Joined: 2021 (formerly – Prof. Willams group)


Connor Dolan

  • Focus: Vanadium and oxidative stress on mitochondria, bio-inorganic interactions, enzymology, nutritional biochemistry
  • Skills:  X-Ray Crstallography, 1D-NMR, Enzymatic Assays, O2K respirometry
  • Origin: Nekoosa, WI
  • Education: B. S. Biochemistry/Molecular Biology – University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
  • Hobbies: Running, Reading, Cooking, Card-games enthusiast, amateur coffee-snob
  • Year Joined: 2022


Kameron Klugh

  • Focus: Organic Synthesis
  • Skills:  NMR, Organic Synthesis, Vanadium Chemistry, Schlenk techniques
  • Origin: Little Rock, AR
  • Education: B.S. in Chemistry from Rhodes College
  • Hobbies: Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Running, Playing Piano
  • Year Joined: 2022