Birgit Both birgit.both.1@vanderbilt.edu (Vordiploma (equivalent to BS) Hamburg University, Germany) Birgit worked for two years in Hamburg on her Diploma (equivalent to MS).

Derek Pratt derek.a.pratt@vanderbilt.edu (B.Sc., Highest Honors, Carleton University)

Derek is currently working on the theoretical design, synthesis, and study of photolabile serine protease inhibitors with large two-photon absorbance cross-sections. The design of these inhibitors, including the modelling of their docking with various serine proteases is being done in collaboration with Dr. Jarrod Smith of the Department of Biochemistry. The two-photon uncaging of the enzymes is being accomplished with Dr. Sandy Rosenthal of the Department of Chemistry and Dr. David Piston of the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics.

Before coming to Vanderbilt, Derek worked with Dr. Keith Ingold at NRC Canada. There he was engaged in the experimental and theoretical study of substituent effects on Z-X bond strengths in compounds of the general formula 4-YC4H6Z-X, bond strenghths in alpha-substituted ketoximes and evaluating the kinetics of aminophenolic antioxidants. Prior to his experiences in the Ingold group, Derek worked with Professor Jim Wright at Carleton University on the development of density functional theory (DFT)-based models and their application to studies of the mechanism of antioxidancy of phenolic compounds, and the design of new phenolic antioxidants related to Vitamin E. For a closer look at his past and present research, please visit Derek's Homepage

Junhai is working on enzyme photoactivation. Junhai worked on Solid Peptides synthesis at the University of Peking.