Faculty Profile

Chemistry Faculty

 

Christina Chant

Title: Associate Professor of Chemistry

Degree: PhD

 

Bret Findley

Title: Chemistry Department Chair, Associate Professor of Chemistry

Degree: PhD

 

David Heroux

Title: Associate Professor

Degree: PhD

 

Shane Lamos

Title: Associate Professor of Chemistry, Pre-Pharmacy Degree Coordinator

Degree: PhD

 

Alayne Schroll

Title: Professor of Chemistry, Leavy Family Chair in Chemistry, Biochemistry Program Director

Degree: PhD

 

Marque Moffett

Title: Instructor of Chemistry

Degree: MS

 

Jennifer Paone-Vogt

Title: Instructor of Chemistry/Lab Coordinator

Degree: MA

Alayne Schroll, PhD

Professor of Chemistry, Leavy Family Chair in Chemistry, Biochemistry Program Director
View Curriculum Vitae

Ph.D. University of Minnesota
B.A. Russell Sage College

Areas of Expertise:

Biochemistry/bio-organic chemistry.  My research involves synthesizing novel sulfur and selenium containing molecules for studies that compare the redox chemistry of the sulfur and selenium in analogous structures. The study of the redox properties of the molecules contributes to the development of a deeper understanding of the antioxidant and mechanistic roles that sulfur and selenium may play in naturally occurring molecules.

 

Courses I Teach:

  • Biochemistry I and II
  • Chemistry Senior Seminar
  • Organic Chemistry labs

My research helps me to be informed about recent developments, new tools, and instrumental advancements in the field of bioorganic chemistry.  In addition, I put a very high value on providing undergraduate students with research experience.  Thus I develop projects that can be executed by students with SMC facilities.  I also have a long standing collaboration with a faculty member at the nearby University of Vermont which provides me and my students with access to expertise and equipment that is not available on campus. 

Current Research Area:

Most recently, my research involves synthesizing novel sulfur and selenium containing molecules for studies that compare the redox chemistry of the sulfur and selenium in analogous structures. The study of the redox properties of the molecules contributes to the development of a deeper understanding of the mechanistic and antioxidant roles that sulfur and selenium play in naturally occurring biomolecules.

 

Publications (all peer-reviewed)

Payne, N.C.; Geissler, A; Button, A; Sasuclark*, A.R.; Schroll, A.L.; Ruggles, E.L.; Gladyshev, V.N.; Hondal, R.J. “Comparison of the redox chemistry of sulfur- and selenium-containing analogs of uracil” Free Rad Bio and Med  2017, 104, 249-261.

*SMC undergraduate

 

Henley, M.J.; Schroll, A.L.; Young, V.G.; Barany, G.  “Crystal structures of (N-methyl-N-phenylamino)(N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl)sulfide and the corresponding disulfane”, Acta Cryst 2015, E71, 1371-1374.

 

Kraemer-Chant, C.M.; Schroll, A.L. “Analysis of an Alpha Amino Acid by Fourier Transform Nuclear Magnetic Spectrometry: Identification and Titration”, Chem Educator 2015, 20, 285-288.

Barany, G; Henley, M.J.; Polski, L.A.; Schroll, A.L.; Young, V.G.  “Crystal Structure of bis(N-methyl-N-phenyl)trisulfane”, Acta Cryst 2015, E71, 863-869.

 

Schroll, A.L.; Pink, M.; Barany, G. “Bis(N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl)disulfane”, Acta Cryst 2012, E68, o1550.

 

Schroll, A.L.; Hondal, R.J.; Flemer, S.  “The Use of 2,2’-Dithiobis(5-nitropyridine) (DTNP) for Deprotection and Diselenide Formation in Protected Selenocysteine-Containing Peptides”, J Pep Sci 2012, 18(3), 155-162.

 

Schroll, A.L.; Hondal, R.J.; Flemer, S. “2,2’-Dithiobis(5-nitropyridine) (DTNP) as an Effective and Gentle Deprotectant for Common Cysteine Protecting Groups”, J Pep Sci 2012, 18(1), 1-9.

 

Flemer, S.; Schroll, A.L.; Hondal, R.J. “DTNP as a Gentle and Effective Method of Deprotection for Side-Chain Protectants on Commercially-Available Cys and Sec SPPS Derivatives”, Proceedings of the 22nd American Peptide Symposium 2011, 24-25. 

 

Schrader, A.M.; Schroll, A.L.; Barany, G. “Synthetic Routes to, Transformations of, and Rather Surprising Stabilities of (N-Methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl)sulfenyl Chloride,((N-Methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl)dithio)carbonyl Chloride, and Related Compounds”,

J Org Chem  2011, 76, 7882-7892.

 

Schroll, A.L.; Hondal, R.J. “Further Development of New Deprotection Chemistry for Cysteine and Selenocysteine Side Chain Protecting Groups”, Adv Exp Med Biol 2009, ISSN: 0065-2598, 611, 135-136.

 

Schroll, A.L.; Heintz, N.H. “Chemical footprinting of structural and functional elements of dhfr oriβ during the CHOC 400 cell cycle”, Gene 2004, 332, 139-147.

 

Schroll, A.L.; Eastep, S.J.; Barany, G. "Synthesis and Characterization of Methoxy-(thiocarbonyl)sulfenyl Chloride", J  Org  Chem 1990, 55, 1475-1479.

 

Schroll, A.L.; Barany, G. "A New Protecting Group for the Sulfhydryl Function of Cysteine", J Org Chem 1989, 54, 244-247.

 

Schroll, A.L.; Barany, G. "Novel Symmetrical and Mixed Carbamoyl and Amino Polysulfanes by Reactions of (Alkoxydichloromethyl)polysulfanyl Substrates with N-Methylaniline", J Org Chem 1986, 51, 1866-1881.

 

MacLaury, M.R.; Schroll, A. L. “Metals as Synergistic Fire Retardants in Polyethylene-Silicone Blends”, J Appl Polym Sci 1985, 30, 461-472.

 

Schroll, A. L.; MacLaury, M.R. “Use of Polymer-Bound Metals as Fire Retardants in Polyethylene-Silicone Blends”, J Appl Polym Sci 1984, 29, 3883-3899.

 

Barany, G.; Schroll, A.L.; Mott, A.W.; Halsrud, D.A. “A General Strategy for Elaboration of the Dithiocarbonyl Functionality: Application to the Synthesis of Bis(chlorocarbonyl)disulfane and Related Derivatives of Thiocarbonic Acids”, J Org Chem 1983, 48, 4750-4761.

 

MacLaury, M.R.; Schroll, A.L. "Kinetic and Chemical Analysis of Polymer Pyrolytic Volatiles by Pyrolysis GC and TGA", J Fire and Flammability 1981, 12, 203-207.

 

Baechler, R.D.; San Filippo, L.J.; Schroll, A.L. "Structural Effects Upon Competitive Decomposition Pathways of Thiosulfoxide Intermediates", Tet Lett 1981, 22, 5247-5250.

 

  

Research Posters/Presentations Since Joining SMC Faculty(*SMC student)

Payne, N.C.; Geissler, A.; Button, A.; Sasuclark*, A.R.; Schroll, A.L.; Ruggles, E.L.; Hondal, R.J. “Why are Sulfur and Selenium in RNA? Investigations into the redox chemistry of 2-thiouracil and 2-selenouracil derivatives”, presented as a poster at the Gordon Research Conference: Thiol-Based Redox Regulation & Signaling, Stowe VT, Aug 12, 2016.

 

Sasuclark*, A.R.; Schroll, A.L.  “Synthesis, Purification, and Characterization of N-(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-Se-tert-butylthio-L-selenocysteine”, presented as a poster at the 251st American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Diego CA, Mar 14, 2016.

 

Agan*, M.; Schroll, A.L.  “Characterization of N,N'-bis[(9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxy)-carbonyl]-L-selenocystine”, presented as a poster at the 241st American Chemical Society National Meeting, Anaheim CA, Mar 28, 2011.  This poster was also presented at the VGN Career Day, Burlington VT, Apr 13, 2011; Marie Agan was recognized with 1 of 2 awards given to undergraduate poster presenters at the event.

 

Flemer, S.; Schroll, A.L.; Hondal, R.J. “New Orthogonal Se-Protection Protocol for Selenocysteine in Fmoc SPPS: Progress Toward Stepwise Diselenide Formation”, presented as a poster at the 36th Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Hartford CT, Oct 8, 2009. 

 

Jarvis*, P.; Schroll, A.L. “Synthesis, Purification, and Characterization of a New Selenocysteine Derivative”, presented as a poster at the 237th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Salt Lake City UT, Mar 23, 2009.

 

Schroll, A.L. “Advances In 1) the Development of New Deprotection Chemistry for Cysteine and Selenocysteine Side Chain Protecting Groups and 2) the Synthesis of a New Selenocysteine Derivative”, presented orally at the 35th Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Burlington VT, Jun 30, 2008.

 

Schroll, A.L., Hondal, R.J. “Advances in the Development of New Deprotection Chemistry for Cysteine and Selenocysteine Side Chain Protecting Groups”, presented as a poster at the 35th Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Burlington VT, Jun 30, 2008.

 

Jarvis*, P.; Schroll, A.L.“Synthesis, Purification, and Characterization of a New Selenocysteine Derivative”, presented as a poster at the Dean’s Reception, SMC, Apr 12, 2008.

 

Schroll, A.L., Hondal, R.J. “Further Development of New Deprotection Chemistry for Cysteine and Selenocysteine Side Chain Protecting Groups”, presented as a peer-reviewed poster at the 20th American Peptide Society Meeting, Montreal, Canada, Jun 26, 2007.

 

Schroll, A.L., Hondal, R.J. “Further Development of New Deprotection Chemistry for Cysteine and Selenocysteine Side Chain Protecting Groups”, presented as a poster at the VT EPSCoR Annual Conference, Burlington VT, Mar 28, 2007.

 

Schroll, A.L., Hondal, R.J. “Synthesis of New Selenocysteine Derivatives for Peptide Synthesis”, presented as a poster at the Vermont Genetics Network Conference, Williston VT, Aug 16, 2006.

 

Rotondo*, J., Schroll, A.L. “Synthesis, Characterization, and Use of New Selenocysteine Derivatives”, presented as a poster at the VT EPSCoR Conference, Burlington VT, Aug 15, 2005.

 

Schroll, A.L., Heintz, N.H. “Chemical footprinting of structural and functional elements of dhfr oriβ during the CHOC 400 cell cycle”, presented as a peer-reviewed poster at the Vermont Cancer Center’s 18th Regional Cancer Research Symposium, Burlington VT, Oct 2, 2003.

 

Schroll, A.L., Heintz, N.H.  “Chemical Footprinting of Three DNA Regions within the Dihydrofolate Reductase Gene of CHOC 400 Cells”, presented as a poster at the VT EPSCoR’s Partnerships in Science and Technology Symposium, UVM, Dec 5, 1995.

 

Schroll, A.L. “Chemical Footprinting of Three DNA Regions within the Dihydrofolate Reductase Gene of CHOC 400 Cells”, presented orally at SMC, Math/Science Seminar Series, Oct 19, 1995.

 

Crockett*, C.; Schroll, A.L. “The Development of New Protecting Groups for the Sulfhydryl Function of Cysteine”, presented orally by the student at the VT Academy of Arts and Sciences Symposium on Undergraduate Research, Castleton State College VT, Apr 1993.

 

Kopach*, M.G., Schroll, A.L. “Development of a New Protecting Group for the Sulfhydryl Function of Cysteine”, presented orally by the student at the VT Academy of Arts and Sciences Symposium on Undergraduate Research, Trinity College, Apr 1989.

 

 

 

 

I recently received the 2017 Outreach Volunteer of the Year Award from the Green Mountain Section of the American Chemical Society for my work coordinating the Chemistry Olympiad for the state of Vermont.  See Recent News tab for more details.

 

 

Professional Society Memberships:

American Chemical Society

 

 

My Saint Michael's:

If you do not want to get lost in the crowd, Saint Michael's College may be the place for you.

I enjoy working with students very closely. In several cases, I met students when they were looking at Saint Michael's, then advised and taught them while they were here, and now I maintain contact with them as alumni. It is an incredible experience and honor to witness (sometimes play an important role in) the transformations that students undergo during their time here. By and large, our students are honest, caring, good people.

Students have the opportunity to do lab-based research with chemistry faculty during summers and the academic year. Also, students get a variety of experience working for the department, doing general lab maintenance, lab preparative work, instrument maintenance, and sometimes assisting professors during the lab periods.

Alayne Schroll, professor of chemistry and Leavy Chair in chemistry, for a second time served as the Chemistry Olympiad Coordinator for the Green Mountain Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS). For her efforts in organizing the event for the state, Alayne was acknowledged as an ACS 2017 Local Section Outreach Volunteer. The competition was held at Saint Michael's College on Saturday April 22.  The four Vermont students were among over 1,200 students nationwide who took the national qualifying exam.  Twenty students will be identified and will undergo intensive training and screening June 6-21, 2017 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.  From that group, the top four will be chosen to represent the U.S. in the 49th International Chemistry Olympiad in Tbilisi, Georgia, July 6-15, 2017. Also, Alayne and former Saint Michael’s student Alexandru Sasuclark (’16, biochemistry) were co-authors on a paper published in April. The full citation is as follows: Payne, N.C.; Geissler, A; Button, A; Sasuclark, A.R.; Schroll, A.L.; Ruggles, E.L.; Gladyshev, V.N.; Hondal, R.J. “Comparison of the redox chemistry of sulfur- and selenium-containing analogs of uracil” Free Rad Bio and Med  2017, 104, 249-261.  The paper reports the results of a research collaboration between Alayne and Professor Robert Hondal of the University of Vermont Biochemistry and Chemistry Departments.
(posted June 2017)

Alayne Schroll, professor of chemistry and Leavy Family Chair in Chemistry, joined with Alexandru Sasuclark (biochemistry major, 2016) to present a research poster titled  “Synthesis, Purification, and Characterization of N-(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-Se-tert-butylthio-L-selenocysteine” at the American Chemical Society National Meeting in San Diego CA on March 14, 2016.
(posted June 2016)

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