معرفی
Grace Stokes is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Santa Clara University, affiliated with the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry within the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds the Clare Boothe Luce Professorship and has received prestigious awards including the Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2021), NSF CAREER Award (2019), and Cottrell Scholar Award (2018). Her research focuses on biophysical chemistry, particularly the interactions between peptoids, drugs, and cell membranes, using advanced laser-based spectroscopy techniques. She is committed to undergraduate research mentorship, with students actively contributing to peer-reviewed publications and national conferences. Her work bridges fundamental science with educational innovation, including developing computational tools for chemistry education.
Educational Background:
- B.S. in Chemistry, Stanford University
- Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, Northwestern University
Research Interests:
Dr. Stokes investigates how pharmaceuticals and peptoids interact with lipid membranes to inform drug design and membrane transport mechanisms. Her lab uses cutting-edge laser spectroscopy to study ABC transporter proteins and membrane dynamics. Recent projects include quantifying heavy metal ion transport across bacterial membranes in collaboration with Dr. Janet Yang (University of San Francisco).
Awards & Grants:
- $75,000 Henry Dreyfus Award (2021)
- $475,000 NSF CAREER Grant (2019–2024)
- $100,000 Cottrell Scholar Award (2018–2021)
Teaching & Mentorship:
She teaches courses in General Chemistry, Quantum Chemistry, and Thermodynamics at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Her lab emphasizes inclusive education, with initiatives like Jupyter Notebook integration in chemistry curricula. Over 20 undergraduate researchers have co-authored her publications since 2014.
Labs & Collaborations:
Based in Daly Science Room 122, the Stokes Lab collaborates with institutions like University of San Francisco and engages in national networks through Cottrell Scholar and NSF programs. Current projects include clozapine drug studies and peptoid-lipid interaction analysis.
