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Rachael Kipp, PhD

Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry

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Assistant Provost for Academic Planning and Accreditation

Education

  • PhD, Tulane University
  • BS, University of Rochester

Current Research Projects

  • SHArK Project
    Metal oxide semiconductors seem to be a promising avenue to efficiently and inexpensively photoelectrolyze water producing hydrogen that could later be used as an energy carrier. No one metal oxide semiconductor or combination of different metal oxides is currently known to proficiently split water to generate hydrogen.
  • Due to the vast number of possible combinations, a distributed research project called the Solar Hydrogen Activity Research Kit (SHArK) Project was created by Bruce Parkinson (University of Wyoming), in order to mobilize many different schools to test various metal oxide combinations for their effectiveness. The Suffolk University SHArK group has collected data using the pipetting method.

Employment History

  • January 2004-Present
    Suffolk University, Boston, MA

Analysis of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment

  • The detection of sulfonamide antibiotics in soil samples is complicated by the presence of many other compounds. In an effort to detect antibiotics in soil samples using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), a method was adapted for the derivatization of sulfonamides in order to make the compounds volatile enough for GC analysis. This well characterized derivatization reaction presents a means to detect and characterize sulfonamide antibiotics in soil samples, despite low concentrations and the high number of other compounds present.

Recent Presentations

  • Roberts, K. B., Kipp, R. A., 11th Annual Undergraduate Symposium on Sustainability and the Environment, "Detection of Sulfonamide Antibiotics Using GCMS," Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA. (December 1, 2012).
  • Feister, K., Milo, B., Kipp, R. A., 11th Annual Undergraduate Symposium on Sustainability and the Environment, "Method Development for Project SHArK: Standardizing the Pipetting Method," Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA. (December 1, 2012).
  • Rice, A., Kipp, R. A., Hogan, P., 10th Annual Undergraduate Symposium on Sustainability and the Environment, "Characterization of Partitioning Behavior of Sulfonamides: Implications for Environmental Persistence," Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. (November 19, 2011).
  • Lu, S., Feister, K., Simnam, E., Hogan, P., Kipp, R. A., 10th Annual Undergraduate Symposium on Sustainability and the Environment, "Project SHArK at Suffolk University," Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. (November 19, 2011).
  • Shaw, J., Kipp, R. A., Hogan, P., 10th Annual Undergraduate Symposium on Sustainability and the Environment, "Shoes and Shirts Get You More Than Just Food Service: Clothing as Personal Monitoring Devices," Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. (November 19, 2011).

Research Experience

  • Princeton University, Princeton, NJ (January 2000-November 2003), Advisor: George L. McLendon
  • Development and utilization of a fluorescence based assay to screen small molecule mimics of natural binding partners of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins.
    Exploration of the parameters of the binding interaction and also the development of potential drug candidates.
  • Tulane University, New Orleans, LA (May 1995-December 1999), Advisor: Russell H. Schmehl
  • Investigations of transition metal complex photophysics using optical and electrochemical techniques.
  • University of Rochester (June-Aug 1992, June 1993-May 1994), Advisor: David G. Whitten
  • Synthesis and characterization of picket fence porphyrins and an unsymmetrically substituted phthalocyanine for potential use in photodynamic therapy of cancer.
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Office Hours

    Mondays 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Virtual)
    Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Virtual)
    Thursdays 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Virtual)
    By appointment only.

  • Schedule an Appointment

Courses Taught

Laboratory Courses

  • General Chemistry I and II
  • Physical Chemistry I and II
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Instrumental Analysis

Lecture Courses

  • General Chemistry I and II
  • Instrumental Analysis
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry