Allison Saunders

Allison Saunders is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry in the Department of Chemistry at Lycoming College, where she teaches biochemistry and general chemistry. She previously taught at Mansfield University and completed her Ph.D. and post-doctoral training at The Pennsylvania State University, focusing on iron-sulfur cluster-containing enzymes.

Education:

• B.S., Rochester Institute of Technology
• Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University

Her research centers on metallocofactors in enzymatic reactions, particularly radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzymes that utilize iron-sulfur clusters to catalyze diverse biochemical transformations. These enzymes play critical roles in microbial metabolism, especially in human gut microbiota, with implications for diseases like obesity and inflammatory disorders. Her work involves protein overexpression, purification, and biochemical characterization of novel radical SAM enzymes.

The recent publications highlight her expertise in structural and functional characterization of enzymes involved in NAD biosynthesis and chlorophyll metabolism, with a consistent focus on iron-sulfur cluster biochemistry. Her research spans archaea, bacteria, and anaerobic systems, emphasizing evolutionary and metabolic diversity.

Although no scientific awards are listed in the provided text, her publications in high-impact journals reflect significant contributions to the field. She mentors students through research projects, though specific advisees are not named. She is actively involved in both teaching and laboratory-based research.

Dr. Saunders conducts her research within her laboratory at Lycoming College, where she continues to explore the biochemical mechanisms of oxygen-sensitive enzymes, particularly those relevant to human microbiome metabolism.