Michelle Bunagan

Michelle Bunagan is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), School of Science. Her research focuses on biophysics and protein structure dynamics, particularly Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins and small model peptides.

• Education: Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania (2008), B.A. in Chemistry from Douglass College, Rutgers University (2003).

Her work explores how environmental factors like salt, temperature, and ionic liquids affect protein folding and stability. She has presented extensively at Biophysical Society and American Chemical Society meetings, with publications in journals such as Biophysical Journal and Angewandte Chemie. Recent studies include circular dichroism analysis of LEA peptides in reverse micelles and solvent effects on folding kinetics.

Scientific awards include the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Faculty Start-Up Award and School of Arts and Sciences Dissertation Fellowship. She serves on multiple TCNJ committees, including the Chemistry Department Academic Affairs Committee and the School of Science Curriculum Committee, and advises student organizations like Gamma Sigma Epsilon.