About Me

When I was 10 years old I received a chemistry set for Christmas, and I can trace my interest in chemistry to that time. I ended up being a physical chemist almost by chance, when I decided to switch research projects in graduate school. Following a postdoctoral position in a biomedical/biophysical area, I settled on an area of chemistry that is interdisciplinary and has something to offer students with different backgrounds and career goals.

For me, teaching is something that occurs both in and out of the classroom, and doesn’t always require a textbook. SU is an institution that values and supports faculty-student collaborative research, and as a research mentor, I work with several students each year on short-term projects that often culminate in a publication and/or poster presentation at a conference.

Watching my students grow as researchers and become independent scientists brings me a lot of joy. The culture of student research, the support in terms of funding and available instrumentation, the curriculum, and the opportunities to develop as a teacher-scholar, are a few things that attracted me to Susquehanna.

Outside of SU, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing tennis, listening to music, travelling and reading.

Professional Experience

EDUCATION

Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT

Ph.D., Chemistry (Area: Chemical Physics) 2002

Master of Arts, Chemistry (Area: Biophysical Chemistry) 1999

Clark University, Worcester, MA

Bachelor of Arts, Chemistry 1996

EMPLOYMENT

Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA

Professor, Department of Chemistry Sept 2016 – present

Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry Sept 2011 – Aug 2016

Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry Sept 2005 – Aug 2011

Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA

Lecturer, Department of Chemistry July 2004 – June 2005

Goodwin College, East Hartford, CT

Adjunct Instructor of Chemistry, Department of Science Jan 2004 – May 2004

University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT

Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Biomedical Imaging Technology March 2002 – June 2004 (Renamed Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling)

TEACHING

General Chemistry I and II, Physical Chemistry I and II, Nanoscience, Perspectives, Honors Thought, Chemistry Seminar, Research Experience and Capstone.

RESEARCH

Susquehanna University

Physical and biophysical chemistry research program suitable for an undergraduate institution:

• Detection and stabilization of quadruplex DNA using lanthanides, metal complexes, porphyrins, substituted indoles and nanoparticles; DNA binding to neurotransmitters and neural hormones.
• Synthesis and characterization of free and functionalized nanoparticles (Au, Ag, ZnO, ZnS, Fe, Cu) using conventional and green methods; applications include biological effects, dye deactivation, singlet oxygen generation, and Raman signal enhancement.
• Protein and indole/indole-derivative quenching by transition metal (Zn, Cr, Ni, Mo) complexes.
• Solvatochromic effects on aromatic systems: spectroscopy and computational methods (Gaussian).
• Instrument development: microscope for imaging and micron-scale photochemistry, frequency-domain lifetime, signal acquisition and processing using LabVIEW.

University of Connecticut Health Center

Developed and implemented a home-built laser-scanning non-linear microscope for the micro-fabrication of proteins for biomedical applications, multi-photon excited fluorescence, second harmonic generation and biological imaging.

Wesleyan University

Conformational studies, vibrational dynamics and energy redistribution of large aromatic molecules using laser pump-probe methods such as Multiphoton Ionization (MPI), Zero Electron Kinetic Energy (ZEKE), IR-UV double-resonance and Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF), and computational methods (Gaussian and HyperChem); DNA binding (metal ions and porphyrins) using UV/vis, Fluorescence and EPR spectroscopy.

ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS

Interim Department Head of Chemistry Spring 2011 and Spring 2019

• Responsibilities included Personnel Reviews, Budget Management, Student Hiring, Course Scheduling and Staffing, Curriculum Oversight, Student Recruitment, Annual Report submission.

Associate Dean, School of Arts and Sciences July 2016 – July 2018

• Reported to the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Responsibilities included Course Schedule Management, Faculty Personnel Reviews, Curriculum Development, Academic Advising, Summer Research Funding and Proposal Review, Interim Department Head of Physics, NSF S-STEM Grant Administrator.

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Susquehanna University (* SU undergraduate authors, ** Bryn Mawr College undergraduate authors)

• Alvaro A. Montoya*, Gregory M. Trout*, Brian W. Williams and Swarna Basu, Solvatochromism and Excited-State Characteristics in a Substituted Fluorenone, J. Lumin. 228, 117619 (2020).
• Kristina Fenner*, Gustin Reynolds* and Swarna Basu, Fluorescence Quenching of Various Indoles by Nickel Complexes, Spec. Acta 239, 118473 (2020).
• Joann M. Butkus*, Kara G. Pytko*, Caroline Stead* and Swarna Basu, Binding of Quadruplex DNA to Nickel and Zinc Complexes Monitored by Surface-Enhanced Raman and Fluorescence Spectroscopy, J. Photochem. Photobiol. A 397, 112513 (2020).
• Joann M. Butkus*, Shelby L. O’Riley*, Balwant S. Chohan and Swarna Basu, Interaction of Small Zinc Complexes with Globular Proteins and Free Tryptophan, Intl. J. Spec. 1378680 (2016).
• Peter M. Kerns*, Joseph W. Lafferty*, Nathan A. Fox* and Swarna Basu, A cost-effective fluorescence detection system for pulsed laser analysis, Measurement 61, 107 (2015).
• Alexander A. Rhodes*, Brandi L. Swartz*, Erik R. Hosler*, Deanna L. Snyder*, Kristen M. Benitez*, Balwant S. Chohan and Swarna Basu, Static quenching of tryptophan fluorescence in proteins by a dioxo-molybdenum (VI) thiolate complex, J. Photochem. Photobiol. A 293, 81 (2014).
• Joseph W. Lafferty*, James R. Strande*, Peter M. Kerns*, Nathan A. Fox* and Swarna Basu, The Interaction of Photoactivators with Proteins during Microfabrication, J. Photochem. Photobiol. A 275, 81 (2014).
• Heather F. Crouse*, Alex Doudt*, Cassie Zerbe* and Swarna Basu, Detection and Stabilization of Quadruplex DNA by Gold Nanoparticles, J. Analytical Meth. Chem. 327603 (2012).
• Heather F. Crouse*, Julianne Potoma*, Farhat Nejrabi, Deanna L. Snyder*, Balwant S. Chohan and Swarna Basu, Quenching of Tryptophan Fluorescence in Various Proteins by a Series of Small Nickel Complexes, Dalton Trans. 41, 2720 (2012).
• Heather F. Crouse*, Elyse M. Petrunak*, Ashley M. Donovan**, Anna C. Merkle**, Brandi L. Swartz* and Swarna Basu, Static and Dynamic Quenching of Bovine and Human Serum Albumin by a Chromium (III) Complex, Spec. Lett. 44, 369 (2011).
• Crystal M. Schneck*, Adam J. Poncheri*, John T. Jennings*, Deanna L. Snyder*, Jill L. Worlinsky* and Swarna Basu, Competition between solvent-quenching and indole-quenching of fluorenones investigated using steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, Spectrochim. Acta 75, 624 (2010).
• Gregory M. Trout* and Swarna Basu, Design and Implementation of a Cost-Effective Microscope for Fabrication and Imaging, Meas. Sci. Tech. 20, 127001 (2009).
• Jill L. Worlinsky* and Swarna Basu, Detection of Quadruplex DNA using Lanthanide Ions and Chelates, J. Phys. Chem. B. 113, 865 (2009). 

University of Connecticut Health Center

• Swarna Basu, Lawrence P. Cunningham, George D. Pins, Katie A. Bush, Rosa Taboada, Amy R. Howell, Jun Wang and Paul J. Campagnola, Multi-photon Excited Microfabrication of Collagen Matrixes Cross-linked by a Modified Benzophenone Dimer: Bioactivity and Enzymatic Degradation, Biomacromolecules 6, 1465 (2005).
• Swarna Basu, Mark Terasaki, Vladimir Rodionov and Paul J. Campagnola, Multi-photon Excited Micro-fabrication in Live Cells via Rose Bengal Cross-linking of Cytoplasmic Proteins, Optics Letters 30, 1 (2005).
• Swarna Basu, Charles Wolgemuth and Paul J. Campagnola, Measurement of Normal and Anomalous Diffusion of Dyes within Protein Structures via Multi-photon Excitation using Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching, Biomacromolecules 5, 2347 (2004).
• Swarna Basu and Paul J. Campagnola, Properties of Cross-linked Protein Matrices for Tissue Engineering Applications Synthesized by Multi-photon Excitation, Biomed. Mat. Res. 71A, 359 (2004).
• Swarna Basu and Paul J. Campagnola, Enzymatic Activity of Alkaline Phosphatase inside Protein and Polymer Structures Fabricated via Multi-photon Excitation, Biomacromolecules 5, 572 (2004).
• Mallika Sridhar, Swarna Basu, and Paul J. Campagnola, Construction of a Laser-Scanning Microscope for Multi-photon Excited Optical Fabrication, Rev. Sci. Instr. 74, 3474 (2003).

Wesleyan University

• Quanli Gu, Swarna Basu and J.L. Knee, Tryptophol Cation Conformations Studied with ZEKE Spectroscopy, Phys. Chem. A 111, 1808 (2007).
• Swarna Basu and J.L. Knee, Conformational Analysis and Dynamics of 9-Propylfluorene and 9-Ethylfluorene, J. Phys. Chem. 105, 5842 (2001).
• Swarna Basu and J.L. Knee, Conformational Studies of the Neutral and Cation of Several Substituted Fluorenes, J. Elec. Spec. Rel. Phen. 112, 209 (2000).
• Jonathan D. Pitts, Swarna Basu and J.L. Knee, 3-Ethylindole Electronic Spectroscopy: S₁and Cation Torsional Potential Surfaces, J. Chem. Phys. 113, 1857 (2000).
• Haribabu Arthanari, Swarna Basu, Thomas L. Kawano and P.H. Bolton, Fluorescent Dyes Specific for Quadruplex DNA, Nucleic Acids Research 26, 3724 (1998).
• Richard D. Beger, Haribabu Arthanari, Swarna Basu and P.H. Bolton, Interresidue Quiet NOEs for DNA Structural Studies, J. Magnetic Resonance 132, 34 (1998).

PUBLICATIONS IN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH JOURNALS (* SU undergraduate authors)

• Swarna Basu, Shelby L. O’Riley*, Alycia K. Frampton*, Heather F. Crouse*, Joann M. Butkus* and Balwant S. Chohan, Zinc (II) and Nickel (II) Complexes that Demonstrate DNA Selectivity: Potential Quadruplex DNA Binders Undergrad. Chem. Res. 16, 1(2017).
• Swarna Basu, Shelby O’Riley*, Cassie M. Zerbe*, Joseph Antonides*, Matthew G. Gabrielson*, and Alex R. Doudt*, Role of Metal Ions on Quadruplex DNA Detection Capabilities of Porphyrins, Undergrad. Chem. Res. 15, 16 (2016).

MANUSCRIPTS SUBMITTED OR IN PREPARATION (* SU undergraduate authors)

• Jared Dickson*, Brooke Weaver*, Swarna Basu and Pavithra Vivekanand, Anti-neoplastic effects of gold nanoparticles synthesized using green sources on colon, cervical and melanoma cancer cell lines (submitted).

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

• American Chemical Society: National and Regional Meetings (oral presentations and student posters).
• Landmark Summer Research Conference (student presentations).
• MoleCVUE (Molecular Computation and Visualization in Undergraduate Education): workshop on computational chemistry in undergraduate teaching and research.

EXTERNAL FUNDING

• II-VI Foundation (2013): $17355 awarded for an undergraduate research project titled “Multiphoton Cross-linking at the Micron and Sub-micron Level: Models for Tissue Engineering and Controlled Release Applications”.
• The Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh ($6000 each time to purchase equipment)
• Portable UV-vis and fluorescence spectrometers (2013)
• Portable Raman spectrometer (2010)
• Optical chopper and lock-in amplifier for frequency-domain lifetime experiments (2005)

INTERNAL FUNDING

• Summer Research Partners: 2006-2008, 2010, 2012-2015, 2019-2021 (student stipends for 8-10 weeks)
• Susquehanna University Committee on Faculty Scholarship
  • Faculty Research Grants: 2011 ($3542), 2018 ($2850)
  • Minigrants ($1000 limit): 2009, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021
  • University Research Grant: 2007 ($1400)

AWARDS

• John C. Horn Distinguished Service Award (2015), Susquehanna University.
  • Public Lecture on Nanotechnology, “Size Matters: Tiny Dots and Their Potential” (2016).
• Tishler Teaching Award (2002), Wesleyan University.

CURRENT AFFILIATIONS

• Member, American Chemical Society (since 1994).
• Member, Rho Kappa Chapter of Gamma Sigma Epsilon, a Chemistry Honors Society (inducted: 2007).
• Honorary Member, Alpha Lambda Delta (inducted: 2016).

PEER REVIEW ASSIGNMENTS

• Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A, 2019-present
• Australian Journal of Chemistry, 2019-present
• Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2017-present
• Journal of Undergraduate Chemistry Research, 2016-present
• RSC Advances, 2016-present
• Sensors and Actuators B, 2015-present
• Journal of Chemical Education, 2015-present
• Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2014-present
• Journal of Luminescence, 2013-present
• Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2012-present
• Spectroscopy Letters, 2011-present
• Journal of Fluorescence, 2011-present
• Acta Biomaterilia, 2007-present

COMMITTEES

Faculty Personnel Committee, 2020-present (elected)

• Chair, 2021-present

Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Advising, 2019-present (appointed)

Committee on Faculty Scholarship, 2007-2010, 2018-2021 (elected)

• Chair, 2020-2021

Residency Requirement Waivers, 2018-2020 (elected)

First Year Experience Working Group, 2016-2019 (appointed)

University Council, 2016-2018 (ex officio as Associate Dean)

University Theme Committee, 2016-2018 (ex officio as Associate Dean)

Academic Standing Committee, 2015-2016 (elected)

Faculty Affairs Committee, 2010-2016 (elected)

• Chair, 2012-2015

Science Speaker Committee, 2006-2008; 2013-2018 (appointed, and ex officio as Associate Dean)

• Chair, 2016-2018

University Healthcare Committee, 2011-2015 (appointed)

Curriculum Committee, 2010 (elected)

New Science Building Eco-Alcove Committee, Chemistry Representative, 2008-2011 (appointed)

Ad hoc Committee for Family Leave, 2007-2008 (appointed; Chair)

Career Services Faculty Advisory Committee, 2007-2008 (appointed)

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Penn State Chemistry Graduate Student Association
• Panelist, Applying to and Working at a PUI (2021)
• AAC&U (American Association of Colleges and Universities)
  • Annual Meeting (2016)
  • STEM Conference (2017)
• CIC (Council of Independent Colleges) Department Head and Division Chair Workshop (2016)
• FYE (First-Year Experience) Conferences (2017 and 2018)

OTHER UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES

• GO Short Program Co-Director (site visit to India, 2022)
• Department Self-Study (2021-2022)
• Faculty Liaison, SU Women’s Soccer Team (2021 – present)
• Chair, Search Committee for Assistant Provost of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives (2020)
• Early Academic Advisor to Incoming First-Year Students (2020)
• Chair, Provost Search Committee (2019)
• Departmental Curricular Revisions: Introductory Sequence, ACS-Biochemistry (2018)
• New program development: Chemical Physics (2015)
• Department Self-Study (2011-2012)
• Faculty Search Committees (Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Political Science)
• Staff Search Committees (Director of Human Resources, Senior Administrative Assistant to the Dean)
• Susquehanna University Central Curriculum Assessment
• Mentoring: First-year students and new faculty
• Admissions: faculty panels, student recruitment, nanoscience workshops for high school students
• Natural Sciences Center design and planning (building opened in 2010)
• Summer Preview Days

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

• Board Member, SUMMIT Early Learning (local childcare agency), 2017-2020
• American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Coach, 2015-2018

COMPUTATIONAL BACKGROUND

• Instructional and Research Software: LabVIEW, Mathematica, Gaussian, Autodock, WebMO, HyperChem, Origin.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS (* Susquehanna University student presenter, ¹ Best presentation award winner)

• Gold, Copper, and Iron Nanoparticles: Green Synthesis, Characterization, Generation and Inhibition of Reactive Oxygen Species (student poster), Rebekah Klock*, Carissa Wolfe* and Swarna Basu, 259^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2020 – abstract accepted, meeting cancelled).
• Size, Shape, and Source-Specific Properties of Nanoparticles: Raman Signal Enhancement and Dye Deactivation (student oral presentation), Carissa Wolfe* and Swarna Basu, 11^th Annual Landmark Summer Research Conference (2019).
• Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoparticles from Green Sources and Singlet Oxygen Generation (student oral presentation), Rebekah Klock* and Swarna Basu, 11^th Annual Landmark Summer Research Conference (2019).
• Detection of DNA by Nanoparticles (student oral presentation), Callie Rohrer* and Swarna Basu, 11^th Annual Landmark Summer Research Conference (2019).
• Water-soluble porphyrins that show specificity towards G-quadruplex DNA: microwave synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic study (student poster), Kara Pytko*, Swarna Basu and Elizabeth Valentin, 257^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2019).
• Water-soluble porphyrins that show specificity towards G-quadruplex DNA: microwave synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic study (student oral presentation), Kara Pytko*, Swarna Basu and Elizabeth Valentin, 10^th Annual Landmark Summer Research Conference (2018).
• Study of the Interactions between DNA and Metal Complexes using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (student poster), Joann Butkus* and Swarna Basu, 255^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2018).
• Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles: Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering and Singlet Oxygen Generation (student poster), Megan Wright* and Swarna Basu, 253^rd American Chemical Society Meeting (2017).
• Nanoscience in the Undergraduate Curriculum: Introducing Students to Tiny Miracles (oral presentation), Swarna Basu, Teaching Nanoscience Session, Middle Atlantic Meeting of the American Chemical Society (2016)
• Zinc Oxide and Zinc Sulfide Nanoparticles for DNA Detection: Synthesis, Functionalization, Characterization and Applications (student poster), Mariana Bianchini Silva*, Joann Butkus, Brian Etz, and Swarna Basu, National Conference on Undergraduate Research (2016).
• Interaction of Small Zinc Complexes with Proteins and Free Tryptophan (student oral presentation¹), Joann Butkus* and Swarna Basu, 7^th Annual Landmark Summer Research Conference (2015).
• Solvatochromism in various 1- and 2-substituted fluorenones: A spectroscopic and computational study (oral presentation), Swarna Basu and Alvaro A. Montoya, Physical Chemistry Session, Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (2015).
• Gaussian-based Laboratory Exercises in Physical Chemistry study (oral presentation), Swarna Basu, Chemical Education Session, Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (2015).
• Zinc Oxide and Zinc Sulfide Nanoparticles for DNA Detection: Synthesis, Functionalization, Characterization and Applications (student poster), Brian Etz*, Janeily Perez, Peter Kerns and Swarna Basu, 249^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2015).
• Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles: Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering and Singlet Oxygen Generation (student poster), Megan Wright* and Swarna Basu, 6^th Annual Landmark Summer Research Conference and Susquehanna Valley Undergraduate Research Symposium (2014).
• Zinc and Nickel complexes that distinguish between various forms of DNA (student poster), Shelby O’Riley* and Swarna Basu, 247^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2014).
• A LabVIEW-based fluorescence detection system (student poster), Peter Kerns* and Swarna Basu, 247^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2014).
• Cross-linking of proteins using laser excitation of various photoactivators (student poster), Joseph Lafferty* and Swarna Basu, 247^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2014).
• Zinc complexes that bind to proteins and also distinguish between various forms of DNA (student oral presentation), Shelby O’Riley* and Swarna Basu, 5^th Annual Landmark Summer Research Conference (2013).
• Cross-linking of Proteins using a Low-Cost Microscopy Setup (student oral presentation), Joseph Lafferty* and Swarna Basu, 5^th Annual Landmark Summer Research Conference (2013).
• A LabVIEW-based fluorescence detection system (student oral presentation), Peter Kerns* and Swarna Basu, 5^th Annual Landmark Summer Research Conference (2013).
• Multiphoton cross-linking and the monomer-photoactivator relationship: An ongoing study using microscopy, fluorescence quenching and molecular docking (student poster), Joseph Lafferty*, James R. Strande, Nathan A. Fox and Swarna Basu, 245^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2013).
• Multiphoton cross-linking and the monomer-photoactivator relationship: An ongoing study using microscopy, fluorescence quenching and molecular docking (student seminar), Joseph Lafferty* and Swarna Basu, 4^th Annual Landmark Summer Research Conference (2012).
• Multiphoton cross-linking of proteins and polymers using a low-cost home-built microscope (student poster), James R. Strande*, Joseph Lafferty, Nathan A. Fox and Swarna Basu, 243^rd American Chemical Society Meeting (2012).
• Quadruplex DNA detection and stabilization: A detailed study using fluorescence, light scattering, UV-vis and quantum chemical calculations (student poster), Cassie M. Zerbe* and Swarna Basu, 243^rd American Chemical Society Meeting (2012).
• Detection of Quadruplex DNA by Metal Complexes and Nanoparticles (student poster), Heather F. Crouse* and Swarna Basu, 241^st American Chemical Society Meeting (2011).
• Static and Dynamic Quenching of Tryptophan Fluorescence in Various Proteins by a Series of Nickel Complexes (student poster), Heather F. Crouse* and Swarna Basu, 2nd Annual Landmark Summer Research Symposium (2010).
• Detection of Quadruplex DNA using Lifetime Measurements and Fluorescence Microscopy (student poster), Alex Doudt* and Swarna Basu, 239^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2010).
• Design and Implementation of a Cost-Effective Microscopy Set-up for Fabrication and Imaging at the Undergraduate Level (student poster), Gregory M. Trout* and Swarna Basu, 239^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2010) and National Conference on Undergraduate Research (2009).
• Interaction between lanthanide chelates and quadruplex DNA: An NMR study (student poster), Deanna L. Snyder* and Swarna Basu, 237^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2009).
• Detection of Quadruplex DNA using lanthanide probes (student poster), Jill L. Worlinsky* and Swarna Basu, 235^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2008).
• The effect of solvation on various fluorenones (student poster), John T. Jennings* and Swarna Basu, National Conference on Undergraduate Research (2008).
• Detection of Quadruplex DNA using lanthanide probes (student poster), Jill L. Worlinsky* and Swarna Basu, Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol (2007).
• Competition between solvent-quenching and indole-quenching of fluorenones: a spectroscopic and computational study (oral presentation), Swarna Basu, Adam Poncheri and Crystal Schneck, Physical Chemistry General Session, 39^th Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (2007).
• Development and implementation of a frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime instrument using lasers and light-emitting diodes, suitable for an undergraduate institution (student poster), Adam J. Poncheri* and Swarna Basu, 233^rd American Chemical Society Meeting (2007).
• Fluorescence quenching of Green Fluorescent Protein by various metal complexes and flavonoids: calculation of quenching constants, excited-state lifetimes and intermolecular distances (student poster), Brandi L. Swartz*, Deanna Snyder and Swarna Basu, 233^rd American Chemical Society Meeting (2007).
• Interaction of fluorenones with indoles: a computational and spectroscopic study (student poster), Adam J. Poncheri*, Crystal M. Schneck and Swarna Basu, Undergraduate Poster Session, 38^th Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (2006).
• Fluorescence resonance energy transfer: determination of distances between proteins and photoactivators used for cross-linking (student poster), Christine M. Anderson*, Erik R. Hosler, Adam J. Poncheri, Ashley M. Donovan, Anna C. Merkle, Sruti Bhaumik, Balwant S. Chohan and Swarna Basu, 231^st American Chemical Society Meeting (2006).
• Disruption of intermolecular hydrogen-bonding in fluorenone-alcohol systems by various indoles (student poster), Crystal M. Schneck*, Adam J. Poncheri, and Swarna Basu, 231^st American Chemical Society Meeting (2006).
• Microfabrication of Proteins and Polymer Gels for Biomedical Applications (poster), Sci-Mix and Biotechnology Division, 227^th American Chemical Society Meeting (2004).
• Vibrational Dynamics of 9-Fluorenemethanol Using IR-UV Double Resonance Spectroscopy (poster), Gordon Research Conference (2001).
• Conformational Studies of Large Molecules using Photoelectron Spectroscopy (poster), Gordon Research Conference (2000).

INVITED PRESENTATIONS

• Protein Cross-linking via excitation of aromatic photoactivators: techniques, challenges and advances, Chemistry Colloquium, Wesleyan University (2015).
• Solvatochromism of Substituted Fluorenones: A Spectroscopic, Computational and Photochemical Study, Clark University Chemistry Department (2015).
• Protein Cross-linking via excitation of aromatic photoactivators: techniques, challenges and advances, Rush Hour, Dickinson College Interdisciplinary Seminar Series (2014).
• Protein Cross-linking via excitation of aromatic photoactivators: techniques, challenges and advances, Bucknell University Chemistry Department (2014).
• Protein Cross-linking via excitation of aromatic photoactivators: techniques, challenges and advances, American Chemistry Society, Susquehanna Valley Section Annual Education Awards Banquet (2014).
• Detection of Quadruplex DNA using Lanthanide Ions, Brooklyn College, City University of New York (2009).

PRESENTATIONS AT SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY

• Nanoparticles from your Kitchen, Committee on Faculty Scholarship Library Short Talks (2019).
• Size Matters: Tiny Dots and Their Potential, John C. Horn Lecture, Susquehanna University (2016).
• Protein cross-linking via multiphoton excitation of photoactivators: Techniques and Applications, Susquehanna University Chemistry Department (2011).
• Detection of DNA using Nanoparticles and Laser Techniques, Susquehanna University Faculty Colloquium (2010).
• Study of intermolecular interactions using lifetime measurements, Susquehanna University Science Lunch (2008).

Courses Taught