About BMB
Located in Chalmers and Burt Halls, the BMB Program offers B.A., B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Departmental faculty have research programs supported by over $7 million in extramural support for studying various aspects of biochemistry in animals, plants, insects and microorganisms.
Browse this website to find information about our academics, faculty, seminars and more.
Gerald (Jerry) Reeck, Ph.D., 1945 - 2021
It is with great sorrow that we announce the unexpected passing of our dear colleague, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, Dr. Gerald R. Reeck.
Jerry joined the Department of Biochemistry at KSU in 1974. He taught the principles of biochemistry to many generations of students, mentored numerous graduate students and postdocs, served the College of Arts and Sciences and the university in multiple administrative roles. Jerry’s research has been focused on the biological activities of proteins, most recently those found in aphids and other insects. His scientific knowledge, dedication to academia, and his sense of humor will be dearly missed.
Obituary: https://www.ymlfuneralhome.com/obituary/6733
BMB Seminar
September 22 - Wan Hee Yoon
Aging & Metabolism Research Program
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
"Study of Mendelian Mitochondrial diseases: An interdisciplinary approach for disease discovery and mechanism studies"
The Recent BMB Active Site News
Read the latest news in BMB. Fall 2020 Newsletter created by department faculty and staff. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.
PhD Defense
On April 6, 2021, Chathurange Bharathee Ranaweera successfully defended his doctoral dissertation entitled “Bacterial AAA+ Disaggregase ClpB: Mechanism and inhibition”. Chathu Ranaweera works in Michal Zolkiewski’s laboratory. Part of Chathu’s research has been performed in the laboratory of Dr. Roman Ganta, Diagnostic Medicine/ Pathobiology. Chathu’s results will help develop novel antimicrobial therapies targeting a molecular chaperone ClpB.
MS Defenses
Hawa Dembele successfully defended her master's dissertation entitled “NMR and Molecular Dynamics Structural Investigations of Manduca sexta Stress Response Peptides and Anopheles gambiae Ecdysis Triggering Hormone” on April 9, 2021. She will be joining Harvard Medical School to begin her Ph.D. as a Herchel Smith Fellow during Fall 2021. Hawa’s major professor is Dr. Om Prakash, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics. Congratulations, Hawa Dembele!
Anthony DiProperzio successfully defended his master's dissertation, "Use of Computational Methods to Identify New Binders of ROR𝜸", on April 6, 2021. He has accepted a position as Senior Associate Scientist, Biologics III at Catalent Pharma Solutions in Kansas Ctiy, Missouri. Anthony did his research with mentor Dr. Ho Leung Ng. Congratulations, Master Diproperzio!
News Highlights
David Manning presented with a celebratory pin in recognition of his 40 years of service for the State of Kansas
Hired into a Research Assistant position for the Biochemistry Department at Kansas State University in Sept. 1979, Dave’s initial work involved the collection of data from ultracentrifugation of self-associating molecules. These analytical studies used computer simulations, which required connection to an IBM mainframe via phone modem and at times punch cards. As the first monochrome Zenith computers started their appearance in the department, there was a notable pivot in focus for his duties. Dave’s role continued to evolve into a support person for multiple professors, specialized equipment, various operating systems, network connectivity, and eventually for the main office itself. Stretching the lifetime of our computers and other scientific equipment, has helped free up funds for use in research. Participation in the inventory and accounting duties, and assisting in safety concerns have also played a part in recent years. There have been seven department heads during the years of Dave Manning’s employment and he has found himself located within five different buildings on campus. Awarding his pin is Dr. Michal Zolkiewski, head of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Senior Awarded Fulbright Travel Grant
Cole Wilson, senior in biochemistry, is granted a Fulbright award for travel abroad in the next academic year. He will travel to Germany to conduct bioengineering and neuroscience research. Fulbright grant recipients receive round-trip transportation, tuition when applicable and a monthly living stipend for one academic year abroad. In 2019, Wilson was awarded a Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, or German Academic Exchange Service, internship to Potsdam, Germany. Wilson works with Timothy Durrett, associate professor in biochemistry and molecular biophysics, researching why different plant enzymes produce different oil products. Photo and story courtesy of K-State News.
Jessica Changstrom Wins Stamey Award for Advising
The College of Arts and Sciences recognizes Jessica Changestrom with the 2020 William L. Stamey Award for Advising. Changstrom is the primary advisor for biochemistry and molecular biophysics. Her nominator says this about her, "Jessy's job as the chief undergraduate advisor in three highly dissimilar departments should be considered unique, unconventional and quite challenging. It is Jessy's enthusiasm, dedication, and hard work, but also her warm and empathic personality, which made her a truly outstanding advisor for an incredibly diverse group of students." Story courtesy of K-State Today.
Phillip E. Klebba Selected as a 2020 AAAS Fellow
The world's largest scientific society, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has chosen Phillip E. Klebba as one of the 489 fellows this year. The fellowship program recognizes individuals whose efforts toward advancing science applications are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished. Klebba distinguished himself with contributions to the understanding of the membrane transport mechanisms of bacteria relevant to their practical applications in human and animal health. Photo and story courtesy of K-State News.
Faculty Research Videos | |
 |  |
| Dr. Gregory Finnigan | Dr. Michal Zolkiewski |
 |  |
| Dr. Michael Kanost | Dr. Timothy Durrett |
 |  |
| Dr. Brian Geisbrecht | Dr. Erika Geisbrecht |
 |  |
| Dr. Phillip E. Klebba | Dr. John Tomich |
