Denyce Wicht, PhD

Education

• PhD, Dartmouth College, Chemistry
• BA (Honors), University of Vermont, Chemistry (major), American Literature (minor)

Research Interests

Broadly speaking, my research interests involve understanding the mechanistic processes that cleave methyl group carbon bonds (–CH₃) to high-valent main group elements, specifically silicon (Si) and sulfur (S).

Teaching Philosophy

Training students to think and work like scientists is one of the most meaningful aspects of my career. As the only tenured organic chemist in CAS, I specialize in teaching experimental organic chemistry laboratory skills, where I focus on helping students build both technical competence and scientific confidence. My own experience as a published researcher in peer-reviewed journals allows me to model clear, precise scientific communication and to guide students in developing their ability to articulate experimental reasoning, analyze data, and present findings with clarity and purpose.

Professional Activities & Affiliations

American Chemical Society (ACS)
National Academic Advising Association (NACADA)
Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE)

Honors & Awards

$294,000: NSF Research at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI): Biophysical Characterization of Reduced Flavin-Dependent Two Component Monooxygenase Sulfur Assimilation Enzymes: SfnG, MsuC, and MsuD (2018-2021)

$80,206: NASA, International Space Station Water Subsystem, Selective Removal of DMSO2 within the Water Processing Assembly/Oxygen Generation Assembly Water Loop by Enzymatic Processes (2019-2021)

Employment History

• Suffolk University
  Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 2021-present
• Auburn University
  Visiting Scientist in the laboratory of Holly R. Ellis, Spring 2020 (on sabbatical)
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  Visiting Scientist in the laboratory of JoAnne Stubbe, 2013-2017 (summers)
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  Visiting Scientist in the laboratory of JoAnne Stubbe, 2012-2013 (on sabbatical)
• Suffolk University
  Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 2011-2021
  Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 2005-2011
• Wellesley College
  Visiting Assistant Professor, 2003-2005
• General Electric Global Research Center
  Chemist; Polymer and Specialty Chemical Technologies, 2000-2002
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  Postdoctoral Associate, 1999-2000

Selected Publications

• Gonzalez, R., Soule, J., Phan, N., Wicht, D., & Dowling, D. (2024). Structural, biophysical, and biochemical insights into C–S bond cleavage by dimethylsulfone monooxygenase. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(47). 
• Liew, J. J. M., Wicht, D. K., Gonzalez, R., Dowling, D. P., & Ellis, H. R. (2024). Current understanding of enzyme structure and function in bacterial two-component flavin-dependent desulfonases: Cleaving C–S bonds of organosulfur compounds. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 758, 110048. 
• Liew, J. J. M., El Saudi, I., Nguyen, S. V., Wicht, D. K., & Dowling, D. P. (2021). Structures of the alkanesulfonate monooxygenase MsuD provide insight into C–S bond cleavage, substrate scope, and an unexpected role for the tetramer. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 297(1), 100823. 
• Soule, J., Gnann, A. D., Gonzalez, R., Parker, M. J., McKenna, K. C., Nguyen, S. V., Phan, N. T., Wicht, D. K., & Dowling, D. P. (2020). Structure and function of the two-component flavin-dependent methanesulfinate monooxygenase within bacterial sulfur assimilation. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 522(1), 107–112. 
• Muirhead, D. L., Wicht, D. K., Stocker, K. M., Perry, J. L., & Kayatin, M. (2018, July). A simple model to estimate the hydroxyl radical concentration and associated DMSD production rates from volatile methyl siloxanes in the ISS atmosphere [Paper presentation]. 48th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Albuquerque, NM, United States.