National Science Foundation funds research at EOU

For Colin Andrew, Ph.D., professor of chemistry at Eastern Oregon University, the journey into bio-inorganic chemistry began with a vial of lobster blood.

While doing research as an undergraduate, Andrew conducted an experiment involving protein in blood. Because lobsters do not have hemoglobin in their blood, the liquid was clear until it was exposed to air. 

“When that blood turned blue after opening it and exposing it to oxygen, I knew I wanted to become a bio-inorganic chemist,” Andrew said. “That brilliant shade of blue is what got me started.”

Andrew is the recipient of a continuing research grant from the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences of the National Science Foundation. 

The NSF funded 14 percent of the submitted research proposals this year. The award Andrew received is for $395,000 over four years and will fund his ongoing research with EOU students on iron-containing proteins, which are similar to hemoglobin in blood.

“Hemoglobin has long been known to transport oxygen in our blood, but now researchers are finding all sorts of new roles for heme proteins,” Andrew said. “We are particularly interested in how heme proteins react with a gas called nitric oxide.”

Andrew said this knowledge is useful because cells in the human body make nitric oxide as a hormone that can lower blood pressure. Andrew and his students are investigating how nitric oxide binding to heme proteins is involved in this chain of events.

The NSF grant covers the cost of chemicals, supplies and other materials. In addition, the award will fund two undergraduate research assistants to work in Andrew’s lab each summer.  The grant also allows for Andrew’s research group to travel to national and international conferences to present their results.

“NSF is very keen on supporting undergraduate research,” Andrew said. “I benefited tremendously from the research opportunities I had as a chemistry undergraduate in England. In fact, they were the main reason I decided to pursue a Ph.D., and then continue into academia. For me, undergraduate research was definitely life-changing.”

Andrew came to EOU in 2001 after a stint as a research assistant professor at the Oregon Graduate Institute in Portland. He was motivated to move to La Grande because he wanted to be more involved with undergraduate education, and particularly student research.

“My decision to move here was also due to the enthusiastic students and faculty, small class sizes and the track record of undergraduate research,” Andrew said. “Not forgetting, of course, Eastern Oregon’s incredible scenery and great snowboarding.”

Andrew said he thinks the level of research and involvement of undergraduates at EOU surprises people and added that the biochemistry degree is becoming increasingly popular. 

“EOU is a perfect place to do this kind of science,” Andrew said. “We have very good students here and I could not do this without them. The science building is beautiful with state- of-the-art laboratories and equipment. 

“There are many opportunities for EOU students to carry out research across the science disciplines, and then to present their results to the campus and wider scientific communities,” Andrew said. “This supportive undergraduate research culture is a key reason why I have been able to obtain grant funding from the NSF.”

In addition to EOU’s award-winning Chemistry Club and Eastern Oregon Science Journal, the annual Spring Symposium provides another outlet for students to showcase their work.

“The unique opportunities at EOU surpass those of bigger universities where undergraduates often get shut out,” Andrew said. “Students should definitely consider EOU for science studies. We have excellent programs and facilities.”

Andrew received his bachelor of science in chemistry from the University of Nottingham, England, and his Ph.D. in chemistry from Newcastle University in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. He has been published in Biochemistry and The Journal of the American Chemical Society.