Top Nav Top Nav Footer Nav
Back toTop
Menu

Laura Stultz

Laura Stultz

Interim Associate Provost, Professor of Chemistry

stultz-laura.jpgOffice:

Munger Hall 211

Contact Information:

Birmingham-Southern College
Box 549001
Division of Science and Mathematics
900 Arkadelphia Rd
Birmingham, AL 35254
Office Phone: (205) 226-4660
E-mail: [email protected]

Brief Career Background:

Dr. Stultz obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill working with Professor Thomas Meyer. In her doctoral research she studied the mechanism of oxidation reactions involving ruthenium polypyridyl complexes. She conducted her postdoctoral research with Professor George Christou at Indiana University studying the reactions of rhodium and ruthenium dimers with biomolecules. She joined the faculty of Birmingham-Southern College in 1997 and has served Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics and as an Area Chair. She enjoys traveling with students during Eterm and working with undergraduate researchers.

Educational Background:

B.A. Chemistry, Oberlin College 1986
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1995.

Research Summary:

Dr. Stultz and her students investigate the chemistry of metal containing anti-cancer drugs. Recent work has focused on the ruthenium complexes KP1019 and KP1339. These complexes undergo ligand exchange and reduction reactions under biological conditions, which have been shown to affect their cytotoxicity. To understand the kinetics and mechanisms of these reactions, the complexes are studied using electrochemistry, NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy. Dr. Stultz also develops course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) to provide opportunities for students to engage in authentic research in their classes.

Courses Taught:

CH 111 SM Atoms and Molecules
A first course in general chemistry that examines the structure of atoms and molecules.  Topics include components of matter, atomic structure, periodic trends, bonding and molecular structure, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, behavior of gases, and thermochemistry.

CH 112 Reactions and Mechanisms
A continuation of general chemistry that builds on the foundations established in CH 111.  Topics include intermolecular forces, colligative properties, thermodynamics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, and kinetics.

CH 149 ES, SM Chemical Principles
A one-term general chemistry course for students with a strong background in chemistry. Topics include molecular structure, spectroscopy, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, kinetics, oxidation-reduction reactions, acid-base reactions, equilibrium, and buffers.  The topics taught in the context of real-world issues including climate change, computer chip development, and anti-cancer drugs.

CH 306 WR- Inorganic Chemistry
A course containing both theoretical and descriptive inorganic chemistry. Topics include coordination chemistry, group theory and symmetry, crystal field theory, molecular orbital theory, reaction mechanisms, organometallic chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry.

CH 410 Senior Research in Chemistry
A capstone research experience during the senior year. Requirements include a paper in the style of a scientific journal article and an oral presentation to students and faculty.

SN 299 Eterm in Ecuador
A three-week immersion in Spanish language and Ecuadorian culture, based in Cuenca, Ecuador.

CH 299 Introduction to Research
A one-month class project designed to give students hands-on experience with research early in their college career. In addition to conducting an independent research project, students will learn about the ethics of research, searching the chemical literature, experimental design, and scientific writing.

Publications From Research at BSC - *BSC student researcher

DMSO reduces the cytotoxicity of anticancer ruthenium complex KP1019 in yeast. Davis, J.; *Cetto, A.; *Campbell, M; *Scoggins, S.; Stultz, L.; Hanson, P. microPublication Biology, 2021 https://doi.org/10.17912/micropub.biology.000436.

Proteomic Analysis of S. cerevisiae Response to the Anticancer Ruthenium Complex KP1019.  Stultz, L. K.; *Hunsucker, A.;*Middleton, S.; *Grovenstein, E.; *O’Leary, J.; Blatt, E.; Miller, M.; Mobley, J.; Hanson, P. K. Metallomics 2020, 12, 876-890.

DNA Damage Response Checkpoint Activation Drives KP1019 Dependent Pre-Anaphase Cell Cycle Delay in S. cerevisiae.  Bierle, L. A.; Reich, K. L.; Taylor, B. E.; Blatt, E. B.; *Middleton, S. M.; Burke, S. D.; Stultz, L. K.; Hanson, P. K.; Partridge, J. F.; Miller, M. E. PLoS ONE, 2015, 10(9) e0138085. 

Collaboration-Focused Workshop for Interdisciplinary, Inter-Institutional Teams of College Science Faculty. Hanson, P. K.; Stultz, L. Journal of Science College Teaching  2015, 44, 6, 30. 

The Anticancer Ruthenium Complex KP1019 Induces DNA Damage, Leading to Cell Cycle Delay and Cell Death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Stevens, S. K.; Strehle, A. P.; Miller, R. L.;*Gammons, S. H,; *Hoffman,  K. J.; *McCarty,  J. T.; Miller, M. E.; Stultz, L. K.; Hanson, P. K. Mol Pharmacol. 2013,  83(1), 225. 

Third-order Nonlinearities of Tetrakis(2,2’-dipyridyl)diruthenium Complexes. Sun, W; *Patton, T. H.; Stultz, L. K.; Claude, J. P. Optics Communications, 2003; 218, 189.

Medium Dependence of Intramolecular Vibrational Modes Coupled to MLCT Transitions in Metal Polypyridyl Complexes. Kestell, J; *Williams, Z. L.; Stultz, L. K.; Claude, J. P. J. Phys. Chem. A.; (Article); 2002; 106(24), 5768.