Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - Providing training in problem solving skills as well as insight to the behavior of the universe are two of the purposes of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville chemistry department. The department is quickly developing a greater intensity for the wonders of chemistry through their emphases including biochemistry, criminalistics, and pre-pharmacy.

To further enhance their program, the department recently hired a new faculty member, Chanaka Mendes, who currently works for the Department of Molecular Pathology at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, MD.

Mendes received his BS of Chemistry from College at Old Westbury - State University of New York in 1992. In 1996 he received his masters and Ph.D. from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. He presented his Ph.D. dissertation on "Gene Expression and Signal Transduction Pathways Induced by Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B and Lipopolysaccharides in Human Lymphoid Cells" in 1999 after which he joined Walter Reed as a postdoctoral fellow on a yearlong contact. He has since worked at Walter Reed as a research scientist.

Mendes applied for the UWP position of Assistant Professor of Chemistry and will teach classes, labs, and interact with students through one-on-one research opportunities starting in August. The selection committee chose Mendes from four final candidates after he gave a formal presentation on a research topic to faculty, students, and staff.

Commented Charles Sundin, the selection committee chair, "Mendes is energetic, has interesting research, and a strong interest in teaching. He is knowledgeable in DNA work and will be an asset to the department especially the criminalistics program because of his wealth of knowledge about DNA."

For more information regarding the UWP department of chemistry or research opportunities please contact them at chemep@uwplatt.edu or call (608) 342-1651.