David P. Barondeau

David P. Barondeau is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University. His primary affiliation is with the College of Science. He holds a B.A. from Southern Utah State College (1989) and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University (1996). His research focuses on bioinorganic chemistry, particularly Fe-S cluster biogenesis, metalloprotein mechanisms, and structural biology. Key projects include studying Fe-S cluster assembly defects linked to neurodegenerative diseases and engineering oxygen-tolerant hydrogenases for renewable energy applications. He leads the Barondeau Research Group, leveraging facilities like the ILSB’s X-ray and mass spectrometry infrastructure. His work integrates crystallography, spectroscopy, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Awards include NIH and La Jolla Postdoctoral Fellowships. He advises numerous graduate students and postdocs, with notable trainees advancing to academic and industry roles. Current lab members include Shachin Patra (Postdoc), Seth Van Andel, Jeff Lin, and others. His lab actively publishes in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, Biochemistry, and other top journals.

Research highlights include defining the human Fe-S assembly complex’s structural basis, elucidating frataxin’s role in neurodegenerative diseases, and characterizing novel hydrogenase variants. He has secured NIH grants, including a 2017 renewal for Fe-S cluster studies. Lab activities emphasize collaborative training, with members presenting at national/international conferences and engaging in public outreach (e.g., Chemistry Open House demos).