Dr. Nsoki Phambu

student on campus 

Nsoki Phambu, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Chemistry

Phone: (615) 963-5335

Email: nphambu@tnstate.edu

http://faculty.tnstate.edu/nphambu/

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Nsoki Phambu obtained a BS in physical chemistry from Denis Diderot University (Paris VII), followed by a MS and PhD in chemistry and molecular physical chemistry at Henri Poincare University of Nancy in France. In 1999, Dr. Phambu joined the faculty in the department of Natural Sciences at Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte NC. In 2004, Dr. Phambu joined the faculty in the department of chemistry at Tennessee State University. His research interests include investigating the interactions between different biological systems and membrane constituents, with special emphasis on the role of endogenous/exogenous metal ions. Biophysical approaches such as Raman (main tool), infrared (IR), circular dichroism (CD), NMR, fluorescence, UV visible and diffusion scattering techniques are employed. Current research projects are:

A. Interactions between antimicrobial peptides and model membranes in the presence of metal ions

The objective is to investigate the effect of metal ion binding on the secondary and tertiary structure of antimicrobial peptides in the presence and absence of phospholipids using infrared, Raman, CD, UV visible, and fluorescence techniques as well as NMR. Several spectroscopic techniques such as IR, Raman, NMR, fluorescence, and UV visible techniques are used in a complementary way to discern structural changes in both antimicrobial peptides and phospholipid membranes in the presence of selected cations.

B. Identification and mapping of compounds such as pharmaceuticals, proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates in natural products or biological samples using Raman microscopy.

Trends in analytical chemistry are towards simple and less time consuming analytical methods. We propose the use of Raman + infrared spectroscopes to fully characterize the components of natural products or any biological samples. The objective of this work is to identify the biomolecules present in a natural product or biological sample. The targeted biomolecules are proteins, carbohydrates, lipids. Etc.. The conformation of proteins is determined using the decomposition of the infrared amide I band (self-deconvolution, second derivative enhancements techniques and curve-fitting procedures) and the special (physical) distribution of the biomolecules in natural products or biological samples is obtained using Raman spectral imaging.

EDUCATION

1996 Ph.D. in Chemistry and Molecular Physical Chemistry,

Henri Poincare University, Nancy, France

1992 M.S. in Physical Chemistry, Universite Henri Poincare, Nancy, France.

1989 B.S. in Physical Chemistry, Universite Denis Diderot, Paris VII, Paris, France.

POSITIONS & WORK EXPERIENCE

2010 - Present Associate Professor of Chemistry, Tennessee State University, TN

2010 & 2011 Visiting Professor (summers) at Vanderbilt University, TN

2004 - 2010 Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Tennessee State University, TN

2000 - 2004 Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Johnson C. Smith University, NC

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Biophysical studies of proteins and membranes

Raman microscopy of natural products

GOVERNMENT SERVICES

November 2009: NSF Panelist: I served on the panel to review proposals

March 2010 & Feb 2011: NSF GRFP (Graduate Research Fellowship Program) Panelist: I served on the panel to evaluate applications

PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Ganesh Shanmugam, N. Phambu, Prasad L Polavarapu. Unusual Structural Transition of Antimicrobial VP1 Peptide. Biophysical Chemistry, 155, 104-108, 2011.

E.B. Djantou, C.M.F. Mbofung, J. Scher, N. Phambu, J.D. Morael. Alternation drying and grinding (ADG) technique: A novel approach for producing ripe mango powder. LWT - Food Science and Technology, 44, 1585-1590, 2011.

Jiao, Yang; Koktysh, Dmitry S.; Phambu, Nsoki; Weiss, Sharon M. Dual-mode sensing platform based on colloidal gold functionalized porous silicon. Applied Physics Letters, 97, 15, 153125/1-3, 2010.

Yahia Z. Hamada, Jasmine T. Greene, Veronica Shields, Monique Pratcher, Shandera Gardiner, Emanuel Waddell, Stephen Shreeves, Anderson Sunda-Meya, and Nsoki Phambu “Spectroscopic and potentiometric studies of the interactions of adenine and some trivalent metal ions” Journal of Coordination Chemistry, 63, 2, 284-295, 2010.

Marie-Camille Jodin-Caumona*1, Bernard Humberta, Nsoki Phambua2 and Fabien Gaboriauda “A vibrational study of the nature of hydroxyl groups chemical bonding in two aluminium hydroxides”, Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 72, 959-964, 2009.

Nsoki Phambu*, Anderson Sunda Meya, Elie Beaudelaire Djantou, Esther Nzuzi Phambu, Pambu Kita-Phambu, Lawrence M. Anovitz, "Direct detection of residual cyanide in cassava using spectroscopic techniques", Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 55, 10135-10140, 2007.

Nsoki Phambu, “Characterization of ultrathin film on metallic aluminum”. Materials Letters 57, 2907-2913, 2003.

Phambu Nsoki, “Adsorption of carboxylic acids on submicrocrystalline aluminum hydroxides. Part I. Qualitative study by Infrared and Raman Spectroscopes”. Applied Spectroscopy 56, 6, 756-761, 2002.

Phambu Nsoki, Humbert Bernard and Burneau Andre, “Preparation and characterization of bayerite samples: Use of diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy to monitor purification.” Journal of Chemical Education 79, 9, 1117-1118, 2002.

Phambu Nsoki, Humbert Bernard and Burneau Andre, “Relation between the Infrared Spectra and the Lateral Specific Surface Areas of Gibbsite Samples.” Langmuir, 16, 6200-6207, 2000.

Dworkin, A.; Phambu, N*. “Solid 1, 6-hexanediol diacrylate: crystal-glass mixture or a glassy crystal?” Calorimetrie et Analyse Thermique, 20-21, 257-60, 1990.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

1. Nsoki Phambu, “Interactions between the antimicrobial peptide AP1 and metal ions: Spectroscopic studies”. Abstracts of Papers, 241st ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Anaheim, CA, United States, March 27-31, 2011

2. Nsoki Phambu, “Screening and mapping of some constituents in potatoes using infrared and Raman spectroscopes”. Abstracts of Papers, 241st ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Anaheim, CA, United States, March 27-31, 2011

3. Magnaterra, Felicia M.; Nsoki Phambu; Mason, Zanetta; Arnett, Shirelle, “Spectroscopic studies of the interaction of thymidine with tryptophan”. Abstracts of Papers, 239th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, March 21-25, 2010

4. Arnett, Shirelle L.; Nsoki Phambu; Mason, Zanetta, “Interactions between amyloid-beta peptide and metal ions”. Abstracts of Papers, 239th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, March 21-25, 2010.

5. Marneni, Murali Krishna*; Aitha, Mahesh Kumar*; Sunda Meya, Anderson; Phambu, Nsoki. Competitive effect of ca (II) and mg (II) on phospholipid model membranes. Abstracts of Papers, 237th ACS National Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, March 22-26, 2009

6. Aitha, Mahesh Kumar; Marneni, Murali Krishna; Waddell, Emanuel A.; Shreeves, Stephen; Sunda Meya, Anderson; Phambu, Nsoki. Interactions of thymine with divalent metal ions. Abstracts of Papers, 237th ACS National Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, March 22-26, 2009.

7. Magnaterra, Felicia Marie; Waddell, Emanuel A.; Shreeves, Stephen; Sunda Meya, Anderson; Phambu, Nsoki. Spectroscopic studies of citrulline and its metal complexes in aqueous solutions. Abstracts of Papers, 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, United States, April 6-10, 2008.

8. Mumini, Hadijatu; Waddell, Emanuel A.; Shreeves, Stephen; Phambu, Nsoki. Infrared and Raman spectra of adenine and its metal complexes. Abstracts of Papers, 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, United States, April 6-10, 2008.

9. Thibodeaux, Christyn; Smith, Desiree; Phambu, Nsoki; Sunda Meya, Anderson. Green and low-cost hydrogen production from aluminum and water. Abstracts of Papers, 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, United States, April 6-10, 2008.

10. Stone, Angela K.; Waddell, Emanuel A.; Shreeves, Stephen; Phambu, Nsoki. Interactions between trypsin and lanthanide ions in aqueous solutions. Abstracts of Papers, 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, United States, April 6-10, 2008.

11. Patterson, Regena A.; Waddell, Emanuel A.; Schreeves, Stephen; Phambu, Nsoki. Inactivation of aspirin by metal ions. Abstracts of Papers, 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, United States, April 6-10, 2008.

12. Fuselier, Jessica; Allen, Michaela; Phambu, Nsoki; Sunda Meya, Anderson. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Capsicum annum L. Abstracts of Papers, 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, United States, April 6-10, 2008.

13. Mumini, Hadijatu*; Phambu, Nsoki; Kamara, Baibai*, “Interactions between guanine and metal ions: Infrared and Raman spectra”. Abstracts of Papers, 233nd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, United States, March 25-29, 2007.

14. Baibai Kamara*; Phambu, Nsoki, “Interactions between cortisone and metal ions: Infrared and Raman spectra”. Abstracts of Papers, 233nd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, United States, March 25-29, 2007.

15. Stone, Angela*; Phambu, Nsoki, “Removal of uranyl ions from aqueous solutions using different adsorbents”. Abstracts of Papers, 233nd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, United States, March 25-29, 2007.

16. Akinola, Lolade*; Phambu, Nsoki, “Removal of heavy metal ions using cassava skin”. Abstracts of Papers, 233nd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, United States, March 25-29, 2007.

17. Musa, Hamza*; Nelson, Alshakim, Phambu, Nsoki, “Urea and guanidium-containing supramolecular polymers”. Abstracts of Papers, 233nd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, United States, March 25-29, 2007.

18. Mumini, Hadijatu*; Phambu, Nsoki; Kamara, Baibai*, “pH-dependent metal ion binding studies on Dapson”. Abstracts of Papers, 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, Sept. 10-14, 2006.

19. Phambu, Nsoki; Kamara, Baibai*, “Spectroscopic studies of chlorzoxazone and its complexes with Al, Ca, and Mg”. Abstracts of Papers, 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, Sept. 10-14, 2006.

20. Akinola, Lolade*; Phambu, Nsoki; Thompson, Albert, “Interaction of trivalent metal ions with anionic and cationic water-soluble porphyrins in aqueous solutions”. Abstracts of Papers, 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, Sept. 10-14, 2006.

21. Phambu, Nsoki; Kamara, Baibai*, “pH-dependent metal ion binding studies of 2-mercaptopyrimidine”. Abstracts of Papers, 231st ACS National Meeting, Atlanta, GA, United States, March 26-30, 2006.

22. Stone, Angela*, Phambu, Nsoki, “pH-dependent metal ion binding studies of pepsin”. Abstracts of Papers, 231st ACS National Meeting, Atlanta, GA, United States, March 26-30, 2006.

23. Savage K., Phambu N., and Moore J., “Comparison of Arsenate Associations with Aluminum Minerals, Model Compounds and Two Soil Types: A Batch Uptake and Spectroscopic Study” GSA Abstracts, Vol.37, 7, 2005.

24. Fullwood, James*, Phambu, Nsoki, “Characterization of water soluble porphyrins by infrared and Raman spectroscopes”. Abstracts of Papers, 55th Southeast regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Atlanta, GA, United States, November 16-19, 2003.

MEMBERSHIP

2001-2011: American Chemical Society member

RESEARCH SUPPORT

• 2010-2015: Co-PI of a state-wide NSF grant entitled “Tennessee Solar Conversion and Storage Using Outreach, Research and Education (TN–SCORE)”, Advanced Solar Conversion and Innovation, with University of Tennessee, from 2010 to 2015.

• 2009-2012: Co-PI of the NSF funded grant entitled “Biomaterials interface of Photoactive Proteins”, with Vanderbilt University, chemistry dept, from 2009 to 2012.

• 2008 & 2009: Fast Program Fellow at Oak Ridge National Lab, Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) “Synthesis and characterization of mixed (Ti,Sn)O2 nanoparticles”, under the supervision of Dr. Mike Simonson (CNMS Group Leader and Int. Division Director), sponsored by DOE (2009), by NSF (2008)

• 2007 & 2010: Principal Investigator “Direct Lithium Oxide Reduction”, BWXT Y-12/Department of Energy (2010),

• 2007: Principal Investigator “Interactions between antacids and metal ions”, faculty Research award

• 2003-2004: Program Director, MBRS-SCORE-NIH/NGMS grant 1 SO6 GM065299-01A1 “MBRS SCORE at Johnson C. Smith University”.

COLLABORATORS

David Cliffel, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN;

Prasad Polavarapu, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, Nashville;

Neville Kallenbach, Ph.D., New York University, NY.

Graduate/Thesis Advisor: Professor Andre Burneau, Department of Chemistry, Henri Poincare University, Nancy/France.

MENTORING

I mentored and supervised the research of 6 Graduate students and +25 Undergraduate (22 African American) students over the five years.

COURSE TAUGHT

General chemistry I & II (lecture and lab)

General chemistry for non science majors (lecture and lab)

Physical chemistry (lecture and lab)

Analytical chemistry (lecture and lab)

Biochemistry (lecture)






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