Diana M. Cermak

General Interests
"My research interests lie primarily in the area of synthesis of optically active organic molecules. Three-dimensional characteristics of organic molecules are highly influential on their chemistry and biochemistry, and create special challenges to the synthetic organic chemist. My research students and I are working specifically on the synthesis of organic molecules that contain phosphorus, an element that plays an active role in many biochemical transformations."

Years at Knox: 1997 to present

Education
Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, 1997, University of Iowa.
B.A., Chemistry, 1992, University of Minnesota-Morris.

Teaching Interests
General chemistry, organic chemistry, methods in organic synthesis, advanced synthesis lab.

Selected Professional Accomplishments

Honors/Grants
National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Grant, with Katherine A. Adelsberger, Helen M. Hoyt, Mark Shroyer: Acquisition of a 400MHz Spectrometer for Research, Undergraduate Research and Training, and Curricular Reform, 2014.
Phillip Green Wright/Lombard College Prize for Distinguished Teaching, 2001, Knox College.
Cottrell College Science Award, Research Corporation, 2001.

Publications

"Synthesis of lesquerella alpha-hydroxy phosphonates," John S.P. Cusimano, Margaret M. Hart, Diana M. Cermak, Steven C. Cermak, and Amber L. Durham, Industrial Crops and Products, 2014, 53, 236-243.

"Synthesis of 5,5-Diphenyl-4-penten-2-one: A Variation on a Classic Organic Synthesis Laboratory." Alber, J.P., DeGrand, M.J., and Cermak, D.M. Journal of Chemical Education 88 (2011): 82-85.

"Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Spirooxazacamphorsultam Derivatives." Wilke, B.I., Goodenough, A.K., Bausch, C.C., Cline, E.N., Abrams, M.L., Fayer, E.L., and Cermak, D.M. Tetrahedron Letters 51 (2010): 6871-6873.

"Four Novel Spirooxazacamphorsultam Derivatives." Wilke, B.I., Goodenough, A.K., Bausch, C.C., Cline, E.N., Abrams, M.L. Fayer, E.L., Swenson, D.C., and Cermak, D.M. Acta Crystallographica, Section C 66 (2010): 563-593.

"2-(Acyloxy)ethylphosphonate analogues of prenyl pyrophosphates: synthesis and biological characterization." Co-authors D.F. Wiemer, K. Lewis, and R.J. Hohl. Journal of Bioorganic and Medical Chemistry 8 (2000): 2729-2737.

"Synthesis of Nonracemic Dimethyl a- (Hydroxyfarnesyl) phosphonates via Oxidation of Dimethyl Farnesylphosphonate with (Camphorsulfonyl) oxaziridines." Co-authors Y.Du and D.F. Wiemer. Journal of Organic Chemistry 64 (1999): 388-393.

"Phosphonate and Biophosphonate Analogues of Farnesyl Pyrophosphate as Potential Inhibitors of Farnesyl Protein Transferase." Co-authors R.J. Hohl, S.A. Holstein, K. Lewis, D.F. Wiemer. Journal of Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 6 (1998): 687-694.

"Stereochemistry Dependent Inhibition of RAS Farnesylation by Farnesyl Phosphonic Acids." With R.J. Hohl, K. Lewis, D.F. Wiemer. Lipids 33 (1998): 39-46.

Presentations
"What's up with..." Discovery Depot Children's Museum. Along with 6 Knox students, 3 demonstrations and hands-on activities, 2010.

"Novel Methodology for the Synthesis of a-Aminophosphonic Acids." With Aaron R. Thornton and Claire M. Matekaitis. Physical Sciences and Mathematics Symposium of the PEW Midstates Math and Science Consortium, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Biological Sciences and Psychology Symposium of the PEW Midstates Math and Science Consortium, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.

"How Undergraduate Research Changed My Life." Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Minnesota, Morris, 2001.

"Changing the Role of the Notebook to Enhance Writing and Efficiency in Organic Lab." With L.C. Bush. Sixteenth Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, 2000.

Campus & Community Involvement
Site Co-Director, Secondary Chemistry Instrumentation Laboratory (SCIL), Illinois Board of Higher Education.
Member, American Chemical Society, Peoria Section; National Chemistry Week Chairperson.
Member, Alpha Chi Sigma.

What Students Say
"Professor Cermak has the ability to make one of the most feared subjects-Organic Chemistry-understandable and less intimidating. Her informal teaching style and eagerness to interact with students makes her a superior teacher. In addition, her enthusiasm about the subject and her caring attitude has made me love a class that I never imagined I would like."
-Andy Mattai, Biology Major