Professional profile
Hi. I teach organic chemistry. Yes, I told my wife–she doesn’t seem to mind. I have one daughter and one dog. I used to have some fish–now I have a fish. It’s come to my attention that I drink too much coffee...I guess I’m just not certain what else I should be doing with it. I’ve been told that I walk funny–no one seems to complain when I run. I like music. I don’t just let the music play in the background, I listen, I daydream. I don’t have an iPod. I have a lot of other things; I just can’t seem to find them. I went on a roller coaster once–once was enough! I grew up in Texas. I like to be outside–I think better when I’m moving. I tried to teach myself to roll a kayak–I ran out of air. I really like to eat pies. And cake! I’m a big fan of white cake. There was a time when I thought I would get a degree in philosophy, but it was too much reading and too few pictures–I like the pictures. I like to rent movies. I do not like to fly. I used to play the trumpet–now I just have one. People have told me that I go off on tangents–I wonder how they know what I was going to talk about. I don’t use notes when I lecture–I can’t read them. I use a lot of transparent tape. I don’t like things to be unorganized–I’m good at un-organizing things. I’m 6’ tall and 156 lbs–I haven’t been much heavier, but there was a time when I was much shorter. I like to work with my hands; perhaps that’s why I like chemistry...

I like to do demonstrations of chemical magic in my classes. It’s not really magic, but it can be a thought provoking experience. There was a time when I tried to explain everything–not anymore. I think a little mystery presents a unique opportunity for learning. In this case, the goal is to create illusions that provide the observer with an opportunity to look, and wonder, and imagine. If that happens, then my work is done. All that remains is for the observer to venture to find a link between imagination and reality. No exams, no grades, no pressure–just opportunities to try.

At least for me, that’s what doing science is about. It’s when you look at something, wonder how it works, imagine a solution, and then try to see if the solution that you have imagined is consistent with reality. Success is not measured by finding a correlation between truth and an original idea. Success is in the learning that happens along the way.

In chemistry, we talk a lot about the small things in life–making and breaking bonds. And understanding those processes is important; it gives one a lot of power to regulate larger systems in a very positive way. However, some things in life are beautiful to look at just because they are, and breaking them into small pieces only detracts from a larger experience. Which should be done when and why... ? I don’t pretend to understand my child, but she’s fun to watch.

I should mention that there is a book you can buy for my class–I saw a copy on my floor. If you want to read it, I can give you a grade for that.

Anyway, that’s me, that’s what I’ve been told, that’s what I think, and some of the stuff I like to do. If any of the courses I teach sound interesting to you, then you could sign up. I don’t even care if you pay–chemistry is for everyone.

Location: John Minahan Science Hall
Room: 416
Phone: (920) 403-3192
Fax: (920) 403-4033

Mailing address:
St. Norbert College
100 Grant Street
JMS, 416
De Pere, WI 54115-2099

jonathon.russel@snc.edu

Academic credentials:
B.S., Texas Lutheran University
Ph.D., Dartmouth College
Postdoctoral research, University of Michigan

Courses taught:
CHEM 100 Applications of Chemistry
CHEM 220 Organic Chemistry 1
CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry 2
CHEM 307 Bioorganic Chemistry
CHEM 310 Organic Chemistry 3: Advanced Synthetic and Spectrometric Method

Research:
Mother Nature is an excellent chemist, and she’s devised a number of clever strategies for synthesizing a diverse array of complex molecules from a collection of relatively simple chemical building blocks. One of the goals of synthetic organic chemistry is to mimic nature’s chemical ingenuity by developing novel methods for directing specific bond forming processes, and to apply those methods to the synthesis of natural products. Efforts in my research program at St. Norbert College have been directed toward the development of methods for the selective functionalization of indole alkaloids.

In addition to the development of chemical methodology, I am interested in the use of organic synthesis as a tool to help understand and regulate biochemical systems. In conjunction with the efforts of my colleague Dr. Cyndi Ochsner to probe the mechanism of dopamine transport inhibition, we have begun an investigation of the synthesis of modafinil, a pharmaceutical used to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy. On route to modafinil, analog forms of the drug have been synthesized, purified and tested for inhibitory activity.

Recent presentations with St. Norbert College students:
"Investigation of the Mechanism of Inhibition of the Dopamine Transporter by Modafinil" Schuh, A. L.; Wieting, J. C.; Ochsher C. E.; Russel, J. S. Paper presentation at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Chicago, IL, March 26, 2007.

“Chemistry of N-Sulfinylindoles” Russel, J. S.; Scholl, N. T.; Miller, A. L. Paper presentation at the 231st National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Atlanta, GA, March 28, 2006.

“Cerium Halide-Mediated Sulfenylation of Indole” Russel, J. S., Vincent, R. R. Paper presentation at the 36th Great Lakes Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Peoria, IL, October, 2004.

“Regiocontrolled Sulfenylation of Metallated Indoles With Methyl Methanethiolsulfonate” Russel, J. S.; Gapinski, J. M.; Swanson, J. O.; Soyk, M. W. Paper presentation at the 38th National Organic Symposium, Bloomington, IN, June 8-11, 2003.

Book chapter:
I have recently become involved in the preparation of an annual review of the chemistry of indole alkaloids. I owe many thanks to my teaching assistants, Ms. Kristina Knesting and Ms. Maria Jaberg, for their help with editing and construction of the reference section.

Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry, 19; Gribble, G. W. and Joule, J. Ed.; Elsevier. Chapter 5.2. Pyrroles and Benzo Derivatives, Pelkey, E. T. and Russel, J. S. co-authors. To be published July 2007.