Paul A. Sims

Paul A. Sims is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma. He holds a B.A. from Adams State University (1994) and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005). His research focuses on enzyme structure-function relationships, specifically studying adhP (alcohol dehydrogenase) and tartronate semialdehyde reductase (TSAR), alongside collaborations with Dr. Leonard Thomas in structural biology. His work integrates kinetic analyses, site-directed mutagenesis, and X-ray crystallography to elucidate catalytic mechanisms. Additionally, he develops innovative biochemical education tools, including cost-effective DNA purification methods for undergraduate labs, spreadsheet-based protein isoelectric point calculations, and instructional materials for complex biochemical pathways like the pentose phosphate pathway and Calvin cycle.

He is affiliated with the Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center (SLSRC) and maintains offices in SLSRC 2640 and PHSC 130. Contact details include psims@ou.edu and (405) 325-3319.