Bruce Howard

Bruce Howard is a Professor of Chemistry at Southern Utah University (SUU), where he has taught since 2002. A proud SUU alumnus with a B.A. in biology and chemistry (1993), he earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Oregon's Institute of Molecular Biology (1999) and completed postdoctoral studies at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Howard's career bridges academia and hands-on research, with a focus on protein structure characterization using X-ray crystallography. He teaches advanced courses like Biochemistry I/II and Chemical Literature, while mentoring undergraduates in research projects such as solving the atomic structure of malate synthase from Dead Sea microbes and studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis enzymes for antibiotic development.

• Military Service: U.S. Naval Reserve, Russian language training and Soviet military analysis
• Academic Journeys: Shifted from biology/veterinary school path to chemistry/biochemistry

Research Focus: Howard applies structural biology techniques to understand protein function at the atomic level, particularly exploring how proteins interact with small molecules to inform drug design. His work on M. tuberculosis targets antibiotic resistance by inhibiting critical enzymes.

Teaching & Mentorship: Howard emphasizes critical thinking in courses ranging from elementary bio-organic chemistry to advanced bioinformatics. He highlights the molecular elegance of life, connecting biochemistry to medicine, nutrition, and physiology.

Personal Interests: Outside academia, Howard enjoys hiking, mountain biking, camping, and creative pursuits like drawing and photography in southern Utah's desert landscapes.