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Academics

Jeffrey Turk

I hold research with undergraduates dear to my heart, because I truly believe it is the best way to develop the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that are needed to succeed as students leave Alma College. The primary thrust of research conducted in the my group is centered around one key question: Can we create molecules that have the appropriate structure to exhibit the function we want? This question is being explored through projects involving the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel enzyme inhibitors.

Courses I teach are: Chemical Analysis (CHM 115), Introductory Organic Chemistry (CHM 223/224), Advanced Organic Chemistry (CHM 411), Medicinal Chemistry (CHM 310), and Flavor and Fragrance Chemistry (CHM 312).

I am a member of the pre-health professions committee, and specialize in pre-medicine.

Outside of Alma College, my wife and I live in Alma with our two children and two dogs . In my spare time, I love brewing beer, boating, camping, cooking, and most things that require me being active outdoors. For 10 years, my wife and I were the sole owners and operators of Entertainment Solutions of Michigan - a (primarily) wedding DJ service. We just retired that business in 2020. Although we specialized in weddings, we have done our fair share of high school proms, school dances, and college parties (yes, even @ Alma College - the rumors are true!).

Title

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Discipline

Chemistry

Educational Background

  • Post doctorate, Purdue University (2002-2004)
  • Ph.D., University of Cincinnati (2002)
  • M.S., University of Cincinnati (2001)
  • B.S., Cleveland State University (1997)

Rank

Associate Professor

My career at Alma began in

2006

I'm an expert in

Organic, Medicinal, and Flavor and Fragrance Chemistry

Signature course(s):

Introductory Organic Chemistry (CHM 223/224), Advanced Organic Chemistry (CHM 411), Medicinal Chemistry (CHM 310), Flavor and Fragrance Chemistry (CHM 312)

Recent publications:

  • Turk, J. A.; Beckman, J. D.  “Resources for an Investigative and Sustainable Undergraduate Medicinal Chemistry Program”  J. Chem. Educ., 2012, 90, 137-139.
  • Shubert, V. A.; Baquero, E. E.; Clarkson, J. R.; James, W. H. III; Turk, J. A.; Hare, A. A.; Morrel, K.; Lipton, M. A.; Schofield, D. P.; Jordan, K. D.; Zwier, T. S.  Entropy-driven population distributions in a prototypical molecule with two flexible side chains: O-(2-acetamidoethyl)-N-acetyltyramine.  J. Chem. Phys., 2007, 127, 234315. (I directed Alissa’s synthesis projects during my postdoctoral appointment at Purdue University.  Alissa was then in High School)
  • Krishnamoorthy, R.; Vazquez-Serrano, L. D.; Turk, J. A.; Kowalski, J. A.; Benson, A. G.; Breaux, N. T.; Lipton, M. A.  Solid-Phase Total Synthesis and Structure Proof of Callipeltin B.  J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2006, 128, 15392-15393.
  • Turk, J. A.; Visbal, G.; Lipton, M. A.  Asymmetric Synthesis of Four Diastereomers of 3-Hydroxy-2,4,6-Trimethylheptanoic acid:  Proof of Configurational Assignment.  J. Org. Chem., 2003, 68, 7841-7844.
  • Turk, J. A.; Smithrud, D.B.  Synthesis and Evaluation of Peptidomimetics that Bind DNA. Bioorg. Med. Chem., 2003, 11, 2355-2366.
  • Turk, J. A.; Smithrud, D.B.  Synthesis and Physical Properties of Protein Core Mimetics.  J. Org. Chem., 2001, 66, 8328-8335.
  • Duan, S.; Turk, J.; Spiegle, J.; Corbin, J.; Masnovi, J.; Baker, R. J.  Halogenations of Anthracenes and Dibenz[a,c]anthracene with N-Bromosuccinimide and N-Chlorosuccinimide.  J. Org. Chem., 2000, 65, 3005-3009.

Recent presentations:

  • “Buchwald-Hartiwig Amination of Aryl Halides using Solid-Phase Primary and Secondary Amines”, Rajewski, A.; Embury, M.; Turk, J. A.  255th ACS National Meeting; New Orleans, LA. 2018. (poster)

  • “Solid-Phase Buchwald-Hartwig Reactions”, Rajewski, A.; Embury, M.; Turk, J. A.  Honor’s Day, Alma College, April 2017. (oral)

  • “Solid Phase Synthesis of Nitrogen Containing Compounds“, Fields, A.; Turk, J. A. Honor’s Day, Alma College, April 2016. (oral)

  • “Mapping the 150 Cavity: Group-1 Neuraminidase”, Kitzmiller, S.; Turk, J. A. West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science Research Conference, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI. November 2014. (poster)

  • “Neuraminidase Inhibitors: Optimizing The Amide Binding Domain”, Sullivan, S.; Pieprzyk, S.; Turk, J. A. West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science Research Conference, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI. November 2014. (poster)

  • “Design, Synthesis and Testing of Group-1 Specific Neuraminidase Inhibitors.” 244th ACS National Meeting; Philadelphia, PA. 2012. (oral)

  • “Group-1 Specific Neuraminidase Inhibitors Containing an Aromatic Scaffold” Cuthbertson, C. R.; Hanisko, J. M.; Kravat, A. J.; Turk, J. A.   244th ACS National Meeting; Philadelphia, PA. 2012. (poster)
  • “Di- and Tri-Substituted Aromatic Inhibitors of N1 Neuraminidase”, Monroe, A. J.; Gaudard, C. J.; Martinez, C.; Somers, B.; Turk, J. A. 

          American Chemical Society, Midland Section (Alma, MI), October 2011. (oral)

          American Chemical Society, Midland Section (Alma, MI), October 2011. (poster)

  • “Neuraminidase, Transfections and Neuraminidase Inhibitors.”, Campbell, J.; Turk, J. A.; Beckmann, J. D.  PRISM Summer Research Symposium, Alma College, August 2011. (oral)
  • “Developing Recombinant N1 Neuraminidase”, Armstrong, R.; Turk, J. A.; Beckmann, J. D.  

          American Chemical Society, Midland Section (Alma, MI), October 2011, (oral) 

          Honor’s Day, Alma College, April 2011. (oral)

  • “Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Group-1 Specific Neuraminidase Inhibitors”, Monroe, A. J.; Somers, B.; Turk, J. A.  Student Summer Research Symposium, Alma College, October 2010. (oral)
  • “Engineering the N1 Gene for Viral Neuraminidase Expression”, Armstrong, R.; Duymich, C.; Turk, J. A.; Beckmann, J. D. West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science Research Conference (Grand Rapids, MI), October 2010. (poster)
  • “Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Group-1 Specific Neuraminidase Inhibitors”, Duymich, C.; Kallgren, J.; Turk, J. A.  

          Honor’s Day, Alma College, April 2009. (oral) Shared winners of Kapp prize.

          American Chemical Society Meeting (Midland, MI), October 2008. (poster)

  • “Sandalwoods via the Allene-Claisen Rearrangement”, Reed, B.; Turk, J. A.  American Chemical Society Meeting (Midland, MI), October 2008. (poster)  Winner of Best Undergraduate Poster. 
  • “Synthesis and Evaluation of Group-1 Neuraminidase Inhibitors”, Duymich, C.; Turk, J. A.  Student Summer Research Symposium, Alma College, September 2008. (oral)
  • “Sandalwoods via the Allene-Claisen Rearrangement”, Reed, B.; Turk, J. A. Student Summer Research Symposium, Alma College, September 2008. (oral)
  • “Characterization of Trinitrophenylated Adenosine Nucleotide Binding to Bovine Phenol Sulfotransferase (bSULT1A1).”  Macdonald, J.A.; Sawin, A.; Lapham, D.; White, J.; Turk, J.A.; Beckmann, J.D. FASEB/American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biochemistry, 2008. (poster, collaboration with Dr. Beckmann)

Recent grants:

  • National Science Foundation ($150,000, funded 2009-2013)

    Title: “RUI: Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Group-1 Specific Neuraminidase Inhibitors”

  • Grant initiative program ($5000, funded 2011) 

    Title:  “Synthesis of Sandalwood Odorants via Allene-Claisen Rearrangements”

  • Faculty Travel Award ($600, funded 2009) 

    Awarded by ACS National Organic Symposium for travel to NOS (2009, Boulder, CO)

  • Grant initiative program ($5000, funded 2007) 

    Title:  “Inhibition of the Avian Influenza Virus Neuraminidase (N1)”

  • Faculty small grants (funded)

    Acquisition of solid phase microextraction (SPME) materials for research and incorporation into teaching ($600, 2010)

    In support of enzyme inhibitor project ($215, 2009)

    In support of fragrance ingredient synthesis projects ($450 each, 2006, 2007, 2008)