Graduate Degree Programs
M.S. or Ph.D. in Biochemistry
Graduate studies in biochemistry reflect the College’s interests in microbial, insect, and plant biochemistry.
After completing a one-year sequence in general biochemistry, students select advanced courses from a range of offerings in chemistry, organismal biology and molecular biology. Advanced courses in biochemistry are available both at ESF and Syracuse University.
A wide variety of research topics are available ranging from plant physiology to biotechnology. Selective research topics include:
- marine algal toxins (BOYER)
- metabolomics of coral reef symbiotes (TEECE)
- microbial and algal production of biologically active natural products and their importance in cell biology (BOYER, GINER)
Also, the use of microorganisms for the production of specialty chemicals including polysaccharide interconversions, and the application of bacterial and fungal enzymes and peptides in the bioremediation of environmental problems are explored.
Financial Support
Selected applicants to the graduate program will be offered a full tuition waiver and an academic year stipend. Research assistantships may also be available.
Faculty and their Specialties
Follow the links immediately below for detailed descriptions of research of any professor. Many other useful links are found just below the listing of faculty.
- Gregory L. Boyer; glboyer@esf.edu
biochemistry and environmental chemistry, plant and algal biochemistry, chemical ecology and toxins produced by algae. environmental monitoring, including Buoy and ship-based monitoring systems for water quality - Jose L. Giner; jlginer@syr.edu
organic and natural products chemistry, sterol synthesis, natural products - Jennifer Goff; jegoff@esf.edu
environmental biochemistry and environmental chemistry; environmental microbiology; ecophysiology; genomics and evolution; heavy metals; bioremediation; environmental health - Julia Maresca; jamaresc@esf.edu
Environmental microbiology, photosynthesis/phototrophy, circadian rhythms, freshwater biochemistry, (meta)genomics, built environment, concrete microbiome, bioremediation - Mark A. Teece; mteece@esf.edu
environmental chemistry, food web biochemistry, stable isotope biogeochemistry, coral, stable isotopes, metabolomics, biogeochemistry
Current Research Interests
- antibody and gene-based biosensors (Boyer)
- antiviral sterols from marine sponges (Giner)
- aquatic organic chemistry (Hassett)
- bioenergetics (Goff, Teece)
- carbon and sulfur metabolism of marine algae (Kieber)
- cyanobacteria toxins (Boyer)
- environmental genomics (Goff)
- environmental microbiology (Goff)
- genetic engineering of freshwater Actinobacteria, light-sensing mechanisms, bacterial-algal interactions (Maresca)
- harmful algal blooms (Boyer)
- metabolomics of coral reef symbiotes (Teece)
- natural insecticides from plants (Giner)