Chemistry Department
The Chemistry Department's mission is to prepare its graduates by teaching them the skills needed to succeed professionally as scientists, to be competitive applicants for post-baccalaureate studies or to become science educators, and to serve the wider campus community by offering introductory courses which meet the NMU general education requirements.
Thank you for your kind consideration!
Past NMU Chemistry Department Speakers
MTU and NMU: Allies in Chemistry
Thank you to Dr. Athar Ata, Department Head of Chemistry MTU, for making the trip from Houghton to present his seminar Natural Product Chemistry: Roads to Pharmaceutical Industry. After his seminar, he took time to meet with NMU faculty and students to discuss research and the pursuing of graduate studies in chemistry.
Tavern Tutorial
We would like to recognize our very own Dr. Evan Pratt for participating in Science on Tap on Tuesday night at Blackrocks Brewery on Third St. He seized the opportunity to bring the research he conducts here at NMU out into the community.
Visiting International Scholar
This fall, the NMU chemistry department had the privilege of hosting a visiting international scholar. The first since the pandemic! Dr. Shushanik Kazaryan, travelled all the way from the Russian-Armenian University, where she is a professor of biochemistry, medical biochemistry, nanotechnology and biotechnology. Together, with Dr. Ara Kirakosyan, they researched the use of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to detect and quantify 2-phenyl-1,4-benzopryone derivatives from plants.
Dr. Kazaryan worked diligently, around the clock, to accomplish as much as she could during her short time here in the states. She was only granted a two month stay for this research collaboration. Dr. Kazaryan was persistent in her pursuit of this international research abroad as funding was not available the year prior, when she first applied. This time around, with funding secured and her visa in place, arrangements for temporary housing fell through at the last minute. Undaunted, Dr. Kazaryan was able to quickly pivot and overcome this obstacle as well! It was a whirlwind trip but results were obtained, data gathered and sent out for analysis. Ultimately, a published paper, follow up to their previously published article Oxidative stress and histopathological changes in several organs of mice injected with biogenic silver nanoparticles, with their most recent findings is on the horizon.
Chemistry Department Research Student Showcase
Congratulations to Amber Wager who has been conducting research with Dr. Yangyuoru for the past two years. She was invited to present at the National Collegiate Honors Council in Kansas City, Missouri earlier this month.
Conference Contender
This was the second national conference for Amber and she has her sights set on a third this coming spring! She is pictured above effortlessly presenting her research findings in Kansas City.
Congratulations to all who participated!
The following is a list of those who received a Certificate of Achievement:
1st Place Graduate Student Poster Presentation - Shaoquin Chen
2nd Place Graduate Student Poster Presentation - Adonis Amoli
3rd Place Graduate Student Poster Presentation - Anandhu Krishnan
Honorable Mention Graduate Student Poster Presentation - Adenike Olowolagba
1st Place Undergraduate Student Poster Presentation - Luke Horne
2nd Place Undergraduate Student Poster Presentation - Joshua Ording
3rd Place Undergraduate Student Poster Presentation - Nick Gordon
Honorable Mention Undergraduate Student Poster Presentation - Alondra Munoz-Rojas & Cameron Keller
McAllister Earns Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Ryan McAllister, Ph.D. '10 BS
Northern Michigan University 2010 biochemistry alumnus Ryan McAllister of Roselle, N.J., received one of two Outstanding Young Alumni Awards presented by his alma mater during its 125th Anniversary Homecoming. He serves as biosafety program manager, biosafety officer and alternate responsible official at Rutger University. He leads a team of seven infectious disease professionals, overseeing biohazardous research in diverse laboratory and clinical settings.
"It's a great honor to receive this award among the many successful graduates this university has produced," said Mcallister at the awards luncheon. "At Northern, I was able to build a strong, foundational knowledge base in biochemistry. This prepared me to conquer my graduate degrees and to lead Stanford and Rutgers research programs related to biosafety, biosecurity, recombinant materials, dual-use research of concern in human gene therapy, and clinical trials. I didn't know any of these terms before Northern. In layperson language, this means I protect ill patients, researchers, communities and the envrionment from infectious disease, biological toxins and genetic editing.
"Northern was a launchpad for my work with hemorrhagic fever viruses in the U.S. and South America, ensuring safety within expedited research projects during the pandemic and reviewing---and at times, challenging---medical doctors' investigational recombinant therapies for subject safety and toxicity, efficacy and risk-benefit analysis. But I learned a lot more than biochemistry at Northern, and I'm forever grateful for my well-rounded education. This included biology courses at Dead River and Hogback Mountain, philosophy courses and, most importantly, Native American studies."
For his senior project at Northern, McAllister used high-pressure liquid chromatography to analyze the variance of caffeine quantities from the advertised label within different energy drinks. He also volunteered in the former Marquette General Hospital emergency operating unit and served as an organic chemistry tutor while attending NMU.
Prior to his Rutgers appointment, McAllister held positions as assistant biosafety officer at the University of Louisville, where he also earned both a master's and doctorate in pharmacology/toxicology, and at Stanford University. In addition to his institutional roles, McAlliser is a respected Biosafety consultant for prominent organizations including Clinical Biosafety Services, Advarra, and PP-L Biosafety.
Beyond his professional achievements, McAllister is deeply engaged in his community. He continues his commitment to mentorship through his biosafety consulting company, BioRisk Reduction, where he oversees a team of 40 members and mentors 10-15 individuals in mutual programs and project development on a one-on-one basis.
Technology Innovation Faculty Award
Congratulations to Dr. Evan Pratt, Assistant Professor, NMU Chemistry Department
About the Chemistry Department
Northern’s four chemistry majors explore how chemistry touches every aspect of life. These programs develop both the knowledge and research foundations you’ll need to head into the job market, graduate school or a professional program. If you have an interest in science, we can help you develop the skills needed to be successful in your career. The department's programs are accredited by the American Chemical Society.
Bachelor's degrees are granted in chemistry, biochemistry and forensic biochemistry. The chemistry major also prepares students for medical, dental and veterinary training, and many undergraduate students who major in chemistry at NMU are in the pre-med/pre-dental/pre-pharmacy program.
What You'll Do at NMU
As a NMU chemistry student, you’ll have access to some amazing science facilities and equipment. Most of the courses in your major will be taken in NMU’s Seaborg Science Complex, one of the finest university science facilities in the Midwest. You’ll also have the opportunity to do high-caliber student-faculty collaborative research. Northern students often present their research results at regional and national conferences. These experiences often lead to exciting opportunities off-campus such as summer internships. During every step of the way, you'll have the support of talented, caring and dedicated professors.
Thank You Donors
The Chemistry Department acquired a new instrument called a Nanadrop UV/VIS Spectrometer. This upgrade improves lab research and testing capabilities. In addition to this, other instruments in the department need costly chemicals and gases to operate. Thanks to gifts made this year by NMU alumni and friends, department faculty have funding to buy important instruments and supplies for lab equipment.
Experience Learning
At Northern, we believe students learn best when they are fully engaged in the subject matter and the best way to engage if you are one of our students is to work in a laboratory. Faculty are always eager to work with students on projects. There are a variety of opportunities ranging from topics like improving the synthesis of carbon Buckyballs, modeling protein-drug interactions, the detection of trace detonation materials, to the remediation of environmental pollutants. Off campus, NMU students have interned at crime labs throughout the Upper Midwest and at other universities in the summer.
Career Excellence
Chemistry touches virtually every aspect of modern life leading to career opportunities in industry, academics, and government. Chemists develop new drugs and vaccines, analyze forensic evidence, monitor environmental pollutants, reformulate consumer products, and design novel materials for electronics. At NMU, your training in chemistry will prepare you for a wide range of jobs, such as crime lab analyst, environmental chemist, or educator. The chemistry degree also provides excellent preparation for pharmacy, medical and dental professions.