Anton Jensen

Anton Jensen is a Professor and currently serves as Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Central Michigan University (CMU), within the College of Science and Engineering. He has been a faculty member at CMU since 1996 and was promoted to full professor in 2005. He previously served as Associate Chair from 2010 to 2022.

Education:

• Postdoctoral Research, Organic Chemistry, New York University (1996)
• Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, Brigham Young University (1995)
• B.S., Chemistry, Brigham Young University (1990)

Dr. Jensen's research focuses on the mechanistic roles of vitamin-derived redox cofactors—specifically riboflavin (B2) and niacin (B3)—in enzyme-catalyzed reactions. His work challenges conventional hydride transfer models by providing evidence for Alder-ene reaction mechanisms in biological systems. This has implications for developing treatments for neurological disorders such as addiction and depression via inhibition of enzymes like monoamine oxidase (MAO). Earlier in his career, he conducted pioneering work on fullerene-based singlet oxygen catalysts and their applications in nanomaterials and polymer films.

His recent publications show a strong trend in bioorganic reaction mechanisms, particularly involving ene-type reactions and vitamin-derived cofactors. He has also made significant contributions to nanotechnology, especially in dendrimer-fullerene conjugates and reusable fullerene-based catalysts. His interdisciplinary work spans organic synthesis, materials chemistry, and computational modeling.

Scientific Awards:

• Faculty Member of the Year Award, CMU ACSSA (2008)
• Outstanding Achievement in College Chemistry Education, ACS Midland Section (2010)

Dr. Jensen has successfully secured over $500,000 in external funding from agencies including the National Science Foundation and Army Research Labs. He has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate researchers, many of whom are co-authors on his publications. His lab has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of photocatalytic systems and enzymatic mechanisms. He is an active member of the American Chemical Society and continues to lead research and academic initiatives at CMU.

Labs and Research Teams: Dr. Jensen leads a multidisciplinary research group at CMU focused on mechanistic organic and bioorganic chemistry. His team integrates synthetic organic chemistry, spectroscopic analysis, computational modeling, and materials characterization techniques to study cofactor-mediated reactions and develop novel catalytic systems.