Chemistry Department

Bill Gunderson, Ph.D.

Gunderson, Bill-1

Bill Gunderson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Director, Odyssey Program

gundersonw@hendrix.edu Charles D. Morgan Center - Acxiom Hall 212 (501) 450-1234 (501) 450-3829

Academic Background

  • B.S., Allegheny College, 2002
  • Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University, 2009

2020-2021 Courses

  • CHEM 120: General Chemistry II: Chemical Analysis & Reactivity
  • CHEM 330: Biological Chemistry
  • CHEM 450: Directed Research
  • CHEM 497: Senior Seminar
  • LBST 101: Explorations

Research Interests

  • Dr. Bill Gunderson's research is in the field of bioinorganic chemistry. Research in the Gunderson group has three aims: 1) determine mechanisms of NO reduction and FeS cluster repair in bacteria, 2) determine the role of manganese in biomacromolecules, including enzymes and DNA structures, and 3) develop low-cost instrumentation for biochemical and biophysical studies. The first aim involved mechanistic studies of the repair of iron center enzyme, YtfE. This enzyme plays an essential role in protecting bacteria from damage due to NO. The mechanism is studied using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy. The second aim includes investigations of the enzyme, toxoflavin lyase, a Mn-containing enzyme that helps protect rice crops from bacterial infections. These enzymatic studies include enzyme kinetics and active site-structure studies using EPR spectroscopy and other spectroscopic methods. Dr. Gunderson is also investigating the binding characteristics of Mn to DNA hairpins and three-way DNA junctions using EPR spectroscopy. The third aim includes developing spectroscopic techniques using 3D printing technology and Arduino microcontrollers.