2011 - California State University, Long Beach Department of ...

M.S. Theses
Van Buzzo
“Synthesis and Characterization of
Bridging Iron Dinitrosyl Complex
[(NO) 2 Fe(μ-1-Adam) 2 (NO) 2 ]”
Research Adviser: Dr. Lijuan Li
Miguel A. Camacho Fernandez
“Spectroscopic and DFT Studies of Thiol
and Olefin Coordinated Non-Heme Iron
Dinitrosyl Complexes”
Research Advisor: Dr. Lijuan Li
Jonathan L. Kleinman
“Influence of Dissolved Organic Matter in
the Free-Radical-Induced Destruction of
Hydrazines in Water: Kinetics of Hydroxyl
Radical Reactions”
Research Advisor: Dr. Stephen Mezyk
Wei Liao
“The Epitope Specificity of the Human
Anti-Candida Albicans Antibody M1g1”
Research Advisor: Dr. Mason Zhang
Thomas J. Neubauer
“Absolute Free-Radical-Induced
Oxidative and Reductive Kinetics and
Degradation Efficiencies of Sulfa Drugs
in Water”
Research Advisor: Dr. Stephen Mezyk
18
From left: Hannah Phan, Carolyn Kusaba, Akira Ueno, Nicole Hanson and Michelle Stadick.
S M A C S
Student Members of the American Chemical Society
By Dr. Brian L. McClain
The 2010-11 academic year was a very productive one for the student members of the American
Chemical Society (SMACS). The school year started off with our now annual SMACS Bowling Night,
where members gathered to consume pizza and challenge each other for bragging rights on the
hardwood lanes.
The SMACS officers decided to commit this year to giving back through several community service
activities. Over the past year, SMACS members organized and participated in a monthly beach cleanup
of the Belmont Shore beaches. In addition, members volunteered with Jim McKibben and the Mobile
Science Museum to provide science demonstrations to local area elementary, middle and high school
students. They also worked demonstration booths at the fall Homecoming event and the Young Women
in Engineering conference, which was held at CSULB in October 2010. SMACS members Carolyn
Kusaba, Marina Zeledon and Akira Ueno traveled to local high schools to participate in roundtable
discussions about the future of science and to help promote careers in science.
In April 2011, two SMACS members, Carolyn Kusaba and Charmaine Jimenez, submitted a
successful proposal, “Hydrogen Fuel Cell Energy Demonstration,” to the ACS International Year of
Chemistry Student Chapter grant program. They received a $750 grant to construct a demonstration
about renewable and stored green energy, which will be presented at local area K-12 schools. With
$750 in matching funds from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, a total budget of $1,500
is available for the project. SMACS students will begin construction of the demonstration in the fall
semester. Also, SMACS will partner with the Science Learning Center and the Mobile Science Museum
to showcase this emerging technology to the community.
In addition to the hard efforts and focus that all SMACS students brought to the club and their
studies, they did find some time to relax together. SMACS took two field trips this past year: one to the
Orange County crime lab where students were able to see modern chemical methods being used in
forensics; and a second trip to Bootleggers Brewery in Fullerton, Calif., where students learned about
the complex biochemical processes that control brewing. And, as always, students, faculty and staff
shared their Friday mornings throughout the semester at the coffee and donut social hour. This year,
faculty and staff contributed to the social hour’s success by providing the refreshments. SMACS would
like to give a big thanks to all the faculty and staff who stepped up and helped this past year.
This year’s chemistry club was headed by President Michelle Stadick, Vice Presidents Akira Ueno
and Marina Zeledon, Secretary Carolyn Kusaba and Treasurer Nicole Hansen. Advisors to the club were
Drs. Michael Schramm and Brian McClain.
Photo by Victoria Sanchez