Years at Knox: 1997 to present Education
Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, 1997, University of Iowa
B.A., Chemistry, 1992, University of Minnesota-Morris Professional Interests
"My research interests lie primarily in the area of asymmetric synthesis of optically active organic molecules. Three-dimensional characteristics of organic molecules are highly influential on their chemistry and biochemistry, and create special challenges to the synthetic organic chemist. My research students and I are working specifically on the synthesis of asymmetric organic molecules that contain phosphorus, an element that plays an active role in many biochemical transformations." Teaching Interests
General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry I & II, Methods in Organic Synthesis, Advanced Synthesis Lab Recent Scholarly Achievements
Recent Publications and Presentations
Activities and Recognitions Recent Publications and Presentations
(with Aaron R. Thornton, Claire M. Matekaitis) Novel Methodology for the Synthesis of a-Aminophosphonic Acids. Poster Presentation, Physical Sciences and Mathematics Symposium of the PEW Midstates Math and Science Consortium, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Biological Sciences and Psychology Symposium of the PEW Midstates Math and Science Consortium, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. "How Undergraduate Research Changed My Life." Keynote Speaker, Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Minnesota, Morris. April 21, 2001. "Changing the Role of the Notebook to Enhance Writing and Efficiency in Organic Lab." With L.C. Bush. Sixteenth Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, 2000. "2-(Acyloxy)ethylphosphonate analogues of prenyl pyrophosphates: synthesis and biological characterization." With D.F. Wiemer, K. Lewis, and R.J. Hohl. Journal of Bioorganic and Medical Chemistry, 2000, 8, 2729-2737. "Synthesis of Nonracemic Dimethyl a- (Hydroxyfarnesyl) phosphonates via Oxidation of Dimethyl Farnesylphosphonate with (Camphorsulfonyl) oxaziridines." With Y.Du and D.F. Wiemer. Journal of Organic Chemistry 1999, 64, 388-393. "Phosphonate and Biophosphonate Analogues of Farnesyl Pyrophosphate as Potential Inhibitors of Farnesyl Protein Transferase." With R.J. Hohl, S.A. Holstein, K. Lewis, D.F. Wiemer. Journal of Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, 1998, 6, 687-694. "Stereochemistry Dependent Inhibition of RAS Farnesylation by Farnesyl Phosphonic Acids." With R.J. Hohl, K. Lewis, D.F. Wiemer. Lipids, 1998, 33, 39-46. "Enantioselective Synthesis of Hydroxy Phosphonates via Oxidation with (Camphorsulfonyl) oxaziridines." With D.F. Wiemer.Tetrahedron Letters, 1997, 38, 3495-3498. Activities and Recognitions
Phillip Green Wright/Lombard College Prize for Distinguished Teaching, 2001, Knox College. Cottrell College Science Award, Research Corporation, 2001 Member, American Chemical Society, Peoria Section; National Chemistry Week Chairperson, 1999-2001. Secondary Chemistry Instrumentation Laboratory (SCIL), Illinois Board of Higher Education, Site Co-Director, 1998-2003 University of Iowa Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, 1993, Iowa City. Member, Alpha Chi Sigma (professional chemistry fraternity).
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Contact
309-341-7434
dcermak@knox.edu
What Students Say
"Professor Cermak has the ability to make one of the most feared subjects—Organic Chemistry—understandable and less intimidating. Her informal teaching style and eagerness to interact with students makes her a superior teacher. In addition, her enthusiasm about the subject and her caring attitude has made me love a class that I never imagined I would like."
—Andy Mattai, Biology Major
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