Roy P. Planalp, PhD – Principal Investigator
I head a research group to study biological and environmental inorganic chemistry and teach graduate and undergraduate courses in these areas. The specifics are coordination chemistry focused on ligand design, synthesis and physical characterization. In collaborative efforts with biochemists and radiochemists we study cellular metal metabolism and novel radioisotopes for nuclear medicine.
Prior to joining UNH Chemistry, I was a postdoctoral twice over, firstly in Freiburg Germany as a Humboldt Junior Fellow, then at the University of Illinois. I completed my Ph.D. in organometallic chemistry at UC Berkeley with the late Dick Andersen and chose chemistry as a main career during my undergraduate studies at MIT.
I am active in the local Boston Regional Inorganic Colloquium and as a reviewer for numerous journals and funding agencies. When not immersed in the world of chemistry, I enjoy contra dancing, racquetball and kayaking. I am devoted to understanding world cultures, pursuing my hobby of World Music DJ radio station WUNH as well cooking and enjoying ethnic cuisine.
Emily Andrews - 4th Year PhD Candidate
B.S. Union College, Environmental Chemistry
I am an analytical chemist looking to specialize in environmental and food applications who joined the Planalp lab the fall semester of 2020. The Planalp group has helped make New Hampshire home for me and has been a great environment for further building on my skills and independence as a chemist.
Current Research
Within our project to produce bifunctional iron peptide probes, my role is to purify the peptides synthesized using high pressure liquid chromatography. We recently obtained a Waters HPLC system from the Greenberg lab; since then my duties encompass bringing our system online and testing peptides made by Leo Povolotskiy. After finding impurities, I help study mass spectrometry data to identify them so we can adjust our synthetic techniques.
Past Research
During my time at Union College, my primary project focused on quantifying the presence of the neurotoxin acrylamide in coffee and assessing the trends that influence concentration under the guidance of Dr. Laura MacManus-Spencer and Dr. Joanne Kehlbeck. Brewed coffee samples were prepared for analysis with a simplified liquid extraction technique while acrylamide concentrations were quantified using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. After completing the method development process, I studied the effects of coffee roast, presence of caffeine, bean species, and amount of beans used to prepare a cup of coffee.
Presentations
Acrylamide in Coffee: Method Development and Analysis of Contributing Factors; Pittcon Poster Presentation Winter 2021.
Acrylamide in Coffee: Method Development and Analysis of Contributing Factors; Union College Virtual Steinmetz Symposium Oral Presentation Spring 2020.
Interests
As I learn more about the processes involved with separations and mass spectrometry, I am excited to employ my knowledge to environmental concerns such as water quality, agricultural systems, and the presence of contaminants in the earth. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking and going to the beach, watching local theatre, and exploring the surrounding cities.
Favorite thing to do on campus
Walking around downtown and skating at the Whittemore Ice Arena!
Son Nguyen, 3rd Year PhD Candidate
B.S. Suffolk University, Biochemistry
I joined the Planalp lab in the fall of 2020. Though it is primarily an inorganic lab, Dr. Planalp is very opened to other branches. I am specifically interested in theoretical and computational chemistry. This type of research suits my work habit well and I do not have to worry about any time-sensitive reactions.
Current Research
I am working with Leonid Povolotskiy to synthesize a small cell-penetrating peptide that can localize to the mitochondria. The peptide is attached with a fluorophore to be visualized. The final step would be to attach an iron chelator on the peptide so the chelator can remove Fe3+ or Fe2+ in the mitochondria. Leo is the mastermind behind the design. My job is to model the mechanism through coarse grained molecular dynamics using NAMD and VMD to obtain the thermodynamics data.
Past Research
During my time as an undergraduate student, I worked under Dr. Denyce Wicht in a biochemical lab. The goal of the research was to resolve the pathway in which soil bacteria scavenge for sulfur-containing compounds and break them down to a form that they can incorporate to their systems My role was to synthesize a protein called MsuD- an enzyme that catalyzes the last step of the pathway, and perform functional analysis. I learned to apply a variety of biochemical techniques that proved to be useful for my future research.
Publications
Soule, J.; Gnann, A. D.; Gonzalez, R.; Parker, M. J.; Mckenna, K. C.; Nguyen, S. V.; Phan, N. T.; Wicht, D. K.; Dowling, D. P. Structure and Function of the Two-Component Flavin-Dependent Methanesulfinate Monooxygenase within Bacterial Sulfur Assimilation. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2019. DOI 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.11.008
Interests
I am interested in pharmaceutical and environmental research that improve the quality of life. I like coding especially Python programming as a hobby. Learning German is also one of my bucket lists.
Favorite thing to do on campus
Strolling while waiting for my reactions to run.
Frances Gomez – 2nd Year PhD Student
fms1020(at)unh.edu
B.S. Chemistry University of Massachusetts Lowell
I joined the Planalp lab at UNH in the spring of 2023. I am happy to join an inclusive group at UNH with a very supportive advisor.
Current Research
I am currently trying to couple a fluorophore unto a short sequence (SS)-peptide. The fluorophore (thiazole orange) has many relevant properties that make it a promising choice for fluorescent studies in live cell imaging (Suss et al. 2021).
Past Research
Before joining the Planalp lab, I was a member of the HITRAN group at the Harvard & Smithsonian | Center for Astrophysics (CfA). Please refer to my website which highlights all my publications, presentations and DEI initiatives.
Interests
I have a broad range of interests. In my undergraduate career I developed antimicrobials. Then later I worked on developing, imaging and testing photoresists. After my graduation I was an SAO/LIP intern at the CfA where I began my work with HITRAN and later became a full-time scientist with the group. While at the CfA, I developed a passion for physical chemistry, spectroscopy, programming and modeling. Primarily I enjoy learning how molecules behave (rotation, vibration, spin, electronic interactions) by themselves and with other molecules. To be able to visualize those chemical interactions with molecular orbital theory, ligand-field theory, group theory, computational chemistry, spectra and more, is a fascinating puzzle to solve.
Favorite thing to do on campus
Hanging out with my friends and practicing my trumpet.
Nathan Bartlett – 2nd Year PhD Student
B.S./M.S. State University of New York at Albany, Chemistry
I joined Planalp Lab in the Spring of 2023. Coming from an Analytical and Forensic Background, Planalp helped me to transition into Inorganic Chemistry, and I am quite thankful to him for the opportunity and to be able to apply what I know to other fields, becoming more well-rounded in the process.
Current Research
My current focus is the synthesis of the peptide (Cx-r)6, by hand and, notably, by use of a peptide machine. This peptide can then be used for further study into the construction of a peptide that can collect iron from its environment. It also helps assist others in furthering their research.
Past Research
Before finding myself in Planalp Lab, my main focus was in the forensic field under Dr. Igor Lednev at SUNY Albany. Namely, my focus was on the use of Raman spectroscopy to analyze and compare the spectra of smokeless gunpowder in hopes of showing the potential of the construction of a database for solving crimes, which formed the basis of my Master’s Thesis. I also learned many forms of instrumental analysis, mostly Raman, as mentioned previously, as well as IR.
Interests
Forensics, Instrumental Analysis, and Inorganic Chemistry are probably my biggest interests when it comes to chemistry. I would like to implement all of them into a project that in some way helps people at large. The environmental use of the iron-chelating peptide manages to hit all three of the fields, and I am thrilled to work on it. Outside of lab, Card Games, Video Games, and Models tend to take up my free time.
Favorite Thing to do on Campus
I’m a commuter, so I don’t tend to stay on Campus for long stretches of time. That said, grabbing food, either from the mess hall or the union square, always tends to be a highlight of the day, both the walk to and back, hanging out with others during lunch, and the food itself.
Matt Cummins, Chemistry Undergraduate
mmc1099@wildcats.unh.edu
I am a third year undergrad student that is hoping to pursue analytical and medicinal chemistry after graduating. I joined the Planalp Group in summer of 2021 and have spent most of my time here learning about my colleagues’ research in hopes of finding inspiration for my own research. I have really enjoyed my experience with this group and I think that this group will significantly elevate my knowledge, experience, and broaden my horizons as I start to delve into my own chemical pursuits.
Current Research
I have spent most of my time here with Emily Andrews who has done an amazing job teaching me how to operate our Waters HPLC. I am currently taking time to familiarize myself with other machines in the lab like our NMR and mass spectroscopy systems, so that I can help process more peptides and ligands for the lab.
Interests
My sister is a type one diabetic and she has been my north star as I work my way further through my degree. My dream would be to apply everything I have learned into diabetic research. Hopefully one day I can help reduce the price of insulin or provide alternative treatments to those who cannot afford their current prescriptions. Outside of school, I spend my free time going out to eat with friends, playing yard games, and watching every football game on Sundays.
Lydia Milam, Chemistry Undergraduate
lrm1042@wildcats.unh.edu
I joined the Planalp lab in Fall of 2020, and have found that the group always creates a fun and welcoming environment for everyone. Unfortunately, COVID has resulted in minimized opportunities for my time at UNH, but I look forward to being more involved in the future!
Current Research
I will be researching oxidation catalysts to degrade environmental contaminants such as the azo dye methyl orange, which is used as a textile dye and a pH indicator. I will be using the Fenton Reaction and the ligand propyl-7-carboxamide-8-hydroxyquinoline.
Interests
I am very interested in ligand synthesis and design, as well as environmental sustainability and the reduction of toxic metals in our pollution. I’m looking to a semester abroad in Europe, and I’m also considering picking up a humanities minor. Off campus, I love to camp and go swimming, as well as play various sports such as soccer and rugby.
Favorite things to do on campus
Some of my favorite things to do on campus are walk in the college woods and work on the T-hall lawn during nice days, or go to the Hamel Rec Center.