Dana Baum

Dana A. Baum is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Associate Dean of Graduate Affairs at Saint Louis University's School of Science and Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Kentucky (2005) and a B.A. in Chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis (1999). Her research focuses on functional nucleic acids, including aptamers, deoxyribozymes, and their applications in biosensors, biofuel cells, and redox cofactor interactions.

Research interests include nucleic acid-based sensors for detecting pollutants and pharmaceuticals, DNAzyme-catalyzed reactions, and the development of comb-branched DNA scaffolds for enzyme organization. Her work explores redox cofactor interactions with aptamers, supported by collaborations with the Burke Lab (NASA-funded).

Notable achievements include NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship (2006-2008) and over 20 peer-reviewed publications. She advises graduate and undergraduate researchers in the Baum Lab, located in Monsanto Hall at SLU, and collaborates with groups at the SLU Institute for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation on wound-healing aptamer technologies.

• Affiliations: American Chemical Society, AAAS, Electrochemical Society
• Labs: Monsanto Hall 214/216/217