Jessica Epstein, Ph.D.
Chair & Professor of Chemistry
About Dr. Epstein
I received my B.S. in Chemistry from Georgia Institute of Technology. I then completed a Ph.D. in Biochemistry at University of Maryland where I studied the mechanism of action for an experimental cancer drug. After graduate school, I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, where I studied the interplay of DNA replication and the cell cycle. Before coming to Saint Peter’s University, I worked on DNA replication in bacteria at Merck Research Labs in Rahway, New Jersey.
“I absolutely love working at Saint Peter’s University. I think the students are great, and they are a pleasure to work with and teach. My approach to teaching is multifaceted, but at its core, I believe learning happens on an active level. I always encourage my students to do rather than simply receive information. Chemistry is a complex, abstract subject. A deeper level of understanding comes when students actively and in some cases collaboratively solve problems.”
“I absolutely love working at Saint Peter’s University. I think the students are great, and they are a pleasure to work with and teach. My approach to teaching is multifaceted, but at its core, I believe learning happens on an active level. I always encourage my students to do rather than simply receive information. Chemistry is a complex, abstract subject. A deeper level of understanding comes when students actively and in some cases collaboratively solve problems.”
Research Interests
I am currently working on several research projects with undergraduates. Recycling and Biodegradable Polymers: Polymers impact our lives and society in numerous ways: clothing, food packaging, automobiles, medical devices, research and toys. I am currently studying several areas including recycling and biodegradable polymers from renewable feedstock.
Enzyme Kinetics: The enzyme lactase hydrolyzes lactose to glucose and galactose. The enzyme is a major component of products such as Lactaid for people who are lactose intolerant. The enzyme itself is very durable which makes it a great enzyme to study classic enzyme kinetics in the undergraduate biochemistry course. My goal for this project is to identify both a competitive and non-competitive inhibitor of the enzyme to demonstrate Michaelis-Menton kinetics.
Chemistry in History: I am also interested in chemical molecules that have shaped history and public policy. My latest article is about tetraethyl lead, an organometallic compound added to automobile fuel to prevent common engine knocking. It is a remarkable story how it was developed, later found to be poisoning the earth’s biosphere and the subsequent battle between scientific data and industry.
Career & Accomplishments
Degrees
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•Harvard University, Postdoctoral Fellowship
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•University of Maryland, Ph.D. Biochemistry
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•Georgia Institute of Technology, B.S. Chemistry
Accomplishments
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•Reviewer for Journal of Chemical Education.
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•Reviewer for Advances in Nutrition and Food Science
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•Kenny Fellowship and Faculty Research Associate Award
Awards
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•Teaching Fellowship (Harvard University)
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•NRSA Fellowship
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•Alpha Chi Sigma
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•Gamma Sigma Epsilon
Publications
Freeing the Mole from the Kilogram: How the Redefinition of the Kilogram Shaped Our Definition of the Avogadro Number
Jessica Epstein, Bulletin for the History of Chemistry, 47 (2), pp 231-238, 2022
Splitting Patterns in 1H-NMR to Demonstrate a Reaction Mechanism
Jessica Epstein, Zanib Mian, Stephanie Rosales – Journal of Laboratory Chemical Education, 8 (1), pp 6-10, 2020
Anti-infection silver nanoparticle immobilized biomaterials facilitated by argon plasma grafting technology
A Ambi, N Parikh, C Vera, K Burns, N Montano, L Sciorra, J Epstein, D Zeng, C Traba – Biofouling, 2018
Drugs that Shaped the FDA: From Elixir Sulfanilamide to Thalidomide
J Epstein – Bulletin for the History of Chemistry, 2018
The Legacy of Tetraethyl Lead
J Epstein – Bulletin for the History of Chemistry, 2016
The Role of Chemistry in Global Security.
J Epstein – ACS Program in a Box (Webinar), 2016
Using Flavor Chemistry To Design and Synthesize Artificial Scents and Flavors
J Epstein, M Castaldi, G Pate, P Telidecki , k Karakkatt- Journal of Chemical Education, 2014
Stereochemistry of Drug Action: Case Studies With Enantiomers
J Epstein – Journal of College Science Teaching, 2012
Developing biofuel in the teaching laboratory: Ethanol from various sources
J Epstein, M Vieira, B Aryal, N Vera, – Journal of chemical Education, 2010
Weapons of Mass Destruction: It Is All about Chemistry
J Epstein – Journal of chemical education, 2009