Laura Juszczak

Laura J. Juszczak is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Brooklyn College, CUNY. She specializes in protein photophysics, particularly focusing on tryptophan fluorescence, UV resonance Raman spectroscopy, and cation-π interactions. Her work bridges biochemistry, physical chemistry, and molecular modeling to elucidate noncovalent interactions in proteins.

• Education:
  • B.A. in Art History, Wellesley College (1976)
  • M.S. in Art Conservation, University of Delaware (1979)
  • M.S. in Chemistry, New York University (1986)
  • Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, New York University (1993)
  • Postdoc in Laser Spectroscopy of Proteins, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1999)

Her research interests center on:

• Understanding tryptophan's variable fluorescence quantum yield in proteins via dipeptide models
• Linking electron density isosurfaces to aromaticity and photophysical properties
• Characterizing higher-order cation-π interactions in biological systems (e.g., antimicrobial peptides, epigenetic binding)

Recent publications highlight her lab's work on tryptophan dipeptides, aromatic boxes, and visible spectroscopy in non-metallic systems. Grants include NIH and NSF funding for instrumentation and interdisciplinary research. She mentors undergraduate and international graduate students, and has been active in pedagogical innovation, notably revising CHEM 1007 to focus on food chemistry and sustainability.

• Awards:
  • NSF Instrumentation Award (2021)
  • NIH SC3 Grant (2013-2017)
  • PSC-CUNY Research Awards (2013, 2008)