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Maria Ngu-Schwemlein

Position: Professor Department: Chemistry

Contact Info

Office: 309 W.B. Atkinson Science Bldg. Phone: 336-750-2919 Fax: 336-750-2545

Biography

Dr. Maria Ngu-Schwemlein received her B.Sc. degree in Chemistry, with Honors, in 1985 from LaTrobe University, Victoria, Australia. In 1989, she earned her Ph.D. degree in Medicinal/Organic Chemistry at the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, Australia. She is a Professor of Bioorganic Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry. Her research interests are in peptide derived ligands for metal ions sensing and as potential antimicrobial agents. She is formally trained in medicinal chemistry and has more than eighteen years of experience in teaching and advising both graduate and undergraduate students. Since joining Winston-Salem State University in 2006, she has received funding from both NSF and NIH for her research in antimicrobial and metal ion binding peptides. Dr. Ngu-Schwemlein is a member of the national American Chemical Society, American Peptide Society, and the Council for Undergraduate Research (UCUR).

Educational Background

  • PhD, Medicinal/Organic Chemistry, 1989, The Australian National University, Australia
  • BSc, (Honors), Chemistry, 1985, LaTrobe University, Australia

Research and Project Interests

  • Rational Design of Cysteinyl Peptide Ligands as Chelators of Mercury(II)
  • Enhancing In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Common Antibiotics with Cyclopeptides