Thursday, July 2, 2009

Welcome!

I decided to set up this website so that those interested could see my credentials. I hope that all who visit it find it to be informative and helpful. Thank you for taking the time to research me!
Sarah Roberts

Lab Experience

TheraTarget January 2010-present
-Currently working for a company in developing polymers/nanoparticles to target several different types of cancer

Brigham Young University June 2006 – April 2009
• Synthesized biologically active small molecules for pharmaceutical application with Dr. Young Wan Ham
• Worked on developing an assay to target specific sequences of RNA for study and possible inhibition
• Provided sugar derived molecules for immune response testing with Dr. Paul Savage

Idaho State University January 2004-May 2006
• Developed green chemistry research techniques with Dr. Robert Holman focusing primarily on novel Grignard reactions in hydrocarbon media
• Assisted in pharmaceutical research with Dr. Chris Daniels and Dr. Joy Olbertz in studying the apoptotic process in multiple myeloma and related cancers
• Performed atmospheric chemistry research for Dr. Lisa Goss on synthesizing and analyzing peroxy acetyl nitrate and related compounds

Teaching Experience

Brigham Young University June 2006 – April 2009
• Instructed Chemistry 353, or Organic Chemistry Laboratory, under the supervision of Professor Barbara Hinshaw
• Assisted Dr. Young Wan Ham with Chemistry 152, or introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, and had the opportunity to substitute and prepare lectures for classes
• Worked as a TA for Professor Barbara Hinshaw’s Chemistry 353 class Fall Semester 2006 to Fall Semester 2008 where I assisted students in the lab to understand Organic Chemistry on the physical level as well as graded and held several review sessions and office hours
• Was a teaching assistant to Dr. Jennifer Nielson in her Chemistry 351, or Organic Chemistry first semester class, winter term of 2008 where I graded, held several office hours in and outside of the tutorial lab as well as held review and recitation sessions that were much like actual class sessions
• Previously was a teaching assistant to both Dr. Jennifer Nielson and Dr. Wayne Anderson in their chemistry 101 class, or general chemistry class both fall of 2006 and winter of 2007 where I graded, held review sessions and office hours

Idaho State University September 2005-December 2009
• Tutored Chemistry of all levels: from the very basic general chemistry to second semester organic chemistry
-Held recitations/review sessions for pre-nursing students in Organic chemistry
-Assisted with Nursing Organic, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry for majors lab sections

Skills and Abilities

• Capable of obtaining and interpreting nuclear magnetic resonance(13C and 1H), infrared, UV-Vis, and mass spectrometry spectra, as well as optical rotation data using a polarimeter
• I also have experience using microwave reactors, glove boxes, lyophilizer and other advanced reaction and drying techniques
• Expert in column chromatography and other organic and biochemistry purification techniques and have some experience using an HPLC
• Able to acquire information from literature databases, including: SciFinder Scholar, ISI Web of Knowledge, PDB, and Beilstein Crossfire
• Assisted in teaching multiple chemistry and laboratory courses and trained research assistants at Idaho State University and Brigham Young University

Education

Brigham Young University September 2006-April 2009
Provo, Utah
• Graduated with a Thesis M.S. in Organic Chemistry in April 2009
• Thesis Title “Synthesis of 2,4,5-triaminocyclohexane-carboxylic acid as a novel 2-deoxystreptamine peptidomimetic”, Thesis Advisor Dr. Young Wan Ham
• Graduating GPA 3.22

Idaho State University August 2002-May2006
Pocatello, Idaho
• Graduated with a B.A. in Chemistry
• Graduating GPA 3.67

Recent Awards and Accomplishments

237th ACS National Meeting & Exposition March 2009
• Presenting research on the completion of a rational design of a novel 2-DOS mimic, “Modification of 2-Deoxystreptamine for RNA Recognition,” Sarah Roberts, Maruthi Chittapragada, Krishnaiah Pendem, John Mahler, Brandon Leavitt, Young Wan Ham, Salt Lake City, UT 2009
ACS NORM/RMRM Regional Meeting June 2008
• Presented research on a rational design of aminoglycoside peptidomimetics, “2-Deoxystreptamine Peptidomimetics for Sequence-Specific RNA Recognition,” Sarah Roberts, Krishnaiah Pendem, John Mahler, Brandon Leavitt, Young Wan Ham, Park City, UT 2008

List of Publications

• Chittpragada, M.; Roberts, S.; Ham, Y. Aminoglycosides: Molecular insights on the recognition of RNA and aminoglycoside mimics, Perspectives in Medicinal Chemistry
• Roberts, S.; Chittapragada, M.; Pendem, K.; Leavitt, B.; Mahler, J.; Burt, S.; Ham, Y. Synthesis of 2,4,5-Triaminocyclohexanecarboxylic Acid as a Novel 2-Deoxystreptamine Mimic, Tetrahedron Letters
• Roberts, S.; Chittapragada, M.; Herron, S.; Ham, Y. Crystal studies for (1S,2R,4S,5S)-2,4-diazido-5-hydroxycyclohexanecarbonitrile (communicated)