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Chemistry Department

 
Seattle University Chemistry Department

Our Faculty and Staff

John E. Meany, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry
Telephone: (206) 296-5942
e-mail: jmeany@seattleu.edu

Education
Teaching Experience
Publications
View C.V. (pdf)

Dr. Meany currently teaches organic chemistry, directs undergraduate research. In his career he has directed the research of about 150 students. Since joining the Chemistry Department in 1983, he has been actively engaged in designing innovative experiments for our laboratory courses and in supervising undergraduate research. Dr. Meany has authored or co-authored numerous articles and presentations on kinetics studies using spectrophotometric methods. His research interests include mechanisms of action of oxidoreductase enzymes and the physiological significance of their sensitivity toward substrate and product inhibition. For many years Dr. Meany served as faculty coordinator for the annual Puget Sound ACS Student Research Meetings. His current research is funded by the Dreyfus foundation.

JOHN MEANY, Ph

 

EDUCATION:

 

Institution                                           Degree                           Years                Major Field

Seattle University                                  B.S.                    1959-62             Chemistry

University of Washington                      Ph.D.                  1962-66             Organic Chemistry

University of Washington                      Postdoctoral        1966-67             Enzymology

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

Loyola University of Los Angeles                      1967-68, Assistant Professor

Central Washington University              1968-83, Associate Professor, Professor

Seattle University                                              1983-2007, Professor

                                                                        2007-present, Emeritus Professor

 

UNIVERSITY COURSES TAUGHT:  All levels of organic chemistry and organic chemistry laboratory, bioorganic chemistry, biophysical chemistry, biochemistry and laboratory, advanced organic chemistry, homogeneous catalysis, physical organic chemistry, general chemistry and laboratories, inorganic qualitative analysis, chemical bonding, chemical resources from the sea, contemporary chemistry, chemistry and medicine.

 

 

RECENT GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND HONORS:

 

  • Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation Senior Scientist Mentor Awardee, 2008-2009.
  • Co-author of grant application to Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program, “Promoting the Synergy between Chemistry and Biology at Seattle University”, funded Summer of 2005.
  • Co-author of grant application to Murdock Charitable Trust: “Anasazi NMR”, funded 2000.
  • Bannan Foundation Equipment Award, 1999, Acquisition of a HiTech Scientific SFA-20 Rapid Kinetics Stopped-Flow Accessory.
  • Arline F. Bannan Chair of Science and Mathematics, 1998-2000.
  • Microscale Organic Chemistry Workshop; NSF Grant, awarded summer 1998.
  • PRF, Summer Faculty Research Grant, “Reversible Tautomerization of Pyruvate” awarded 1994.
  •  “Development of University-Wide Faculty-Student Collaborative Research/Scholarship Program”, Funded Project by Seattle University Provost 1993.
  • Chair, Undergraduate Research/Scholarship Committee, Seattle University 1993-1998.
  • “Double-Beam Spectrophotometers for Laboratory Projects in Chemistry”: NSF, CSI-9152220; awarded 1991
  • McGoldrick Fellowship, Seattle University, awarded Fall 1990
  • Summer Faculty Fellowship, Seattle University, Summer 1989
  • “General Base, Metal Ion and Enzymatic Catalysis of Dehydration of Glyoxylate Hydrate”: NSF Research Opportunities Award, awarded summer 1988,
  •  “An Ultraviolet/Visible Computing Spectrophotometer for Laboratory Courses and Undergraduate Research”: NSF, CSI-8650548; awarded 1986
  • Burlington Northern Foundation Awardee – Teaching Excellence, 1985
  • “An Ultraviolet/Visible-Computing Spectrophotometer for Laboratory Courses and Undergraduate Research”: NSF, Instructional Equipment, awarded 1983
  • “Relationships between Activity and Structure of Enzymes”: Summer, 1980, NSF College Faculty Research Grant.
  • NSF Science Faculty Professional Development Awardee, 1977.

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS IN REFEREED JOURNALS

SINCE BEGINNING OF TEACHING CAREER.

Student Participants in Bold  Print

 

J.Purdon, ;G. Spyridus, J.E. Meany, Y. Pocker, “Kinetic Studies of the Reversible Hydration of Pyruvic Acid: Determination of Activation Parameters”.  Manuscript in Preparation.

 

J. E. Meany , “Lactate Dehydrogenase Catalysis: Roles of Keto, Hydrated and Enol Pyruvate.”  J. Chem. Ed. 2007, 84, 1520.

 

J.E. Meany, V.  Minderhout, and Y. Pocker, “Application of Hammond’s Postulate: An Activity for Guided Discovery Learning in Organic Chemistry.” J. Chem. Ed.  2001 , 78, 204,.

 

J. E. Meany, A. Esposito, A. Lukas and Y. Pocker, “The Reversible Enolization and Hydration of Pyruvate:  Possible Roles of Keto, Enol, and Hydrated Pyruvate in Lactate Dehydrogenase Catalysis.”  Can. J. Chem. 1999 77, 1108.

 

J. M. Wilson, Q. Tanko, M.M. Wendland, J. E. Meany, J.F. Nedved and Y. Pocker,

 “The Inhibition of Bovine Carbonic Anhydrase by Saccharin and  2- and 4-Carbobenzoxy benzene Sulfonamide.”  Physiol. Chem. Phys. and Med. NMR. 1998, 30, 149.

 

M. Aversa. and J. E. Meany, "The Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase by Aqueous Solutions of Acetaldehyde."  Physiol. Chem. Phys. and Med. NMR. 1996 22, 103.

 

Meany, J. E., T. Byrne, J. Anderson, K. Woelfel and Y. Pocker,  "The Hydrolysis of p-Nitrophenyl Acetate: A Versatile Reaction to Follow Enzyme Kinetics. J. Chem. Educ 1994, 71, 715.

 

 J. Damitio, G. Smith, J. E. Meany and Y. Pocker, "A Comparative Study of the Enolization of Pyruvate and the Dehydration of Pyruvate Hydrate."  J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 3081.

 

J. E. Meany and Y. Pocker, "The Dehydration of Glyoxylate Hydrate:  General-Acid, General-Base, Metal Ion, and Enzymatic Catalysis," J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 6155.

 

K. Robinson, T. Pilot and J. E. Meany, "Time Dependent Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase in Irradiated Solutions of Folic Acid, Aminopterin, and Methotrexate." Physiol. Chem. Phys. 1990, 22, 103.

 

T. Pilot, D. Alleman, K. Robinson  and J. E. Meany," The Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase in Solutions of Folic Acid and Folate Derivatives."  Proc. 2nd Nat. Conf. on Undergrad. Res. 1988, II, 271.

 

G. T. Spyridis and J. E. Meany , "Tautomerization of Acetylacetone Enol."  J. Chem. Ed. 1988, 65, 461.

 

G. T. Spyridis, J. E. Meany and Y. Pocker,  "Carbonic Anhydrase Catalysis:  An Experiment on Enzyme Kinetics." J. Chem. Ed. l985, 62, ll24.

 

R. Jones, Y. Pocker and J.E. Meany, “The hydration and Hydeolysis of Methyl Pyruvate.  A Bifunctional Probe of Chemical and Enzymatic Catalysis.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1982, 104, 4885.

 

M. Waddington and J.E. Meany, “The Inhibition of Lactate Dehydrogenase by Hydrated Pyruvate.” Arch. Biochem. And Biophys. 1981, 211, 447.

 

J.E.  Meany and Y. Pocker, “The In Vitro Inactivation of Lactate Dehydrogenase by Organochlorine Insecticides.” Pestic. Biochem. and Physiol. 1979, 11, 232.

 

J. E. Meany, “Process Reversibility, Work and Entropy.” J. Chem. Ed 1978, 55, 238.

 

M. D. Waddington and J. E. Meany, “The General base Catalyzed Enolization of Acetone, An Undergraduate Kinetics Experiment.” J. Chem. Ed. 1978, 55, 60.

 

Y. Pocker, J.E. meany, Davis, B.C., J. Arrigoni, and J. E. Stein, “Bifunctional Substrates of Erythrocyte Carbonic Anyhydrase.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1978, 100, 2883.

 

J. Spaulding and J. E. Meany,  “Kinetic Studies of Potential Bifunctional Acid-Base Catalysts in Aqueous Solution.” J. Phys. Chem. 1977, 81, 1359.

 

D. Lygre, R. Hasbrouck,  R. Gaines, C.  Duncan, H.S.  Habib, J. E. Meany, W. W. Newschwander, “Minicourses in Chemistry.” J. Chem. Ed. 1975, 52, 735.

 

P. A. Goodman and J. E. Meany, “Substrate and Product Inhibition in the Xanthine Oxidase-Catalyzed Oxidation of Acetaldehyde.” Biochem. 1974, 13, 3254.

 

Y. Pocker, J. E. Meany and B. C. Davis,  “a-Keto Esters as Substrates of Erythrocyte Carbonic Anhydrase.  Kinetic Studioes of the Enzyme-Catalyzed Hydration of Methyl and Ethyl Pyruvate.” Biochem. 1974, 13, 1411.

 

R. Tienhaara and J. E. Meany, “The Lactate Dehydrogenase Catalyzed Reduction of Pyruvate.  Active Substrate and Substrate Inhibition.”  Biochem. 1973, 12, 2067.

 

M. Hegazi, J. E. Meany, “The Spontaneous and General Base Catalyzed Iodination of Pyruvic Acid and Alkyl Pyruvates.  Activation Parameters and Solvent Deuterium Isotope Effects.” J. Phys. Chem. 1972, 76, 3121.

 

D. Gregory, P. Goodman, and J. E. Meany, “The Xanthine Oxidase Catalyzed Oxidation of Aliphatic Aldehydes and 2- and 4-Pyridine Aldehydes.” Biochem. 1972, 11, 4472.

 

J. E. Meany, “The Iodination of Alkyl Pyruvates.  I. The Spontaneous and General-Base Catalyzed Iodination of Methyl and Ethyl Pyruvates.” J. Phys. Chem. 1971, 75, 150.

 

Y. Pocker, C. Zadorojny, and J. E. Meany, “The Reversible Hydration of Pyruvate Esters: Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies.” J. Phys. Chem. 1971, 75, 792.

 

Y. Pocker and J. E. Meany, “The Reversible Hydration of Pyruvic Acid.  II. Metal Ion and Enzymatic Catalysis.” J. Phys. Chem. 1970, 74, 1486.

 

J.E. Meany , “The Reversible Tautomerization of Acetylacetone Enol  I.  Metal Ion Catalysis.” J. Phys. Chem. 1969, 73, 3421.

 

Y. Pocker, B. J. Nist, C. Zadorojny, and J. E. Meany, “The Reversible Hydration of Pyruvic Acid.  I  Equyilibrium Studies.” J. Phys. Chem. 1969, 73, 2879.

 

11 Additional publications in J. Am. Chem. Soc, Biochem, Science and J. Phys Chem.  from Ph.D. Thesis

 

 

SELECTED  PRESENTATIONS AT  RESEARCH SYMPOSIA by S.U. STUDENTS  

STUDENT NAMES IN BOLD PRINT:

 

A.W. Johnson and J.E. Meany, “Kinetic Studies of Yeast Alcohol Dehydrogenase,” Merck/AAAS National Meeting 2006.

 

John Purdon and J. E. Meany, “Stopped-Flow Studies of the Hydration of Pyruvic Acid”, New Orleans 2003.

 

Callie Ramsey and J. E. Meany, “Sulfonamide Inhibition of Bovine Carbonic Anhydrase:  Application of the Hammett Equation” 17th Proc. Nat. Conf. Undergrad. Res. 2003.

 

Kevin Coe and J. E. Meany , “A Simple Kinetic Assay of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition”.  Proc. 14th Nat. Conf. Undergrad. Res. 2000.

 

Ann McNally & Kyle Schmidt and J. E. Meany. “Thermodynamics of the Reversible Hydration of Fluoropyruvate: Preliminary Studies”, Proc. 14th Nat Conf. Undergrad. Res. 2000.

 

Chris J. French, J. E. Meany, Greg Spridis, and D.L. Thorsell. “Laboratory Activities For Undergraduate Students Based On The Reversible Hydration Of Pyruvic Acid And Pyruvate Anion”  Proc 13th Nat. Conf. Undergrad. Res. 1999.

 

Maciek Waligora, Mary Nelson, J. E. Meany and Greg Spyridis. “The Inhibition of Bovine Carbonic Anhydrase by Benzene Sulfonamide Isomers”, Proc. 12th Nat. Conf. Undergrad Res.1998.

 

A. Lukas and J. E. Meany , “Determination of the Equilibrium Constant for the Enolization of Pyruvate” Proc. 10th Nat. Conf. Undergrad. Res. 1996. 

 

Anthony Esposito,  J. E. Meany. "Thermodynamic Studies of the Enolization of Pyruvic Acid and Pyruvate Anion".  Proc 9th Nat. Conf. Undergrad. Res (1995). 

 

Joe Wilson, J. E. Meany. "Substrate Specificity With Regards To The Inhibitory Characteristics Of Carbonic Anhydrase." Proc 9th Nat. Conf. Undergrad. Res. (1995).

 

 J. Wilson , J. E. Meany. "Saccharin and 2- and 4-Carboxybenzenesulfonamide Inhibition of Bovine Carbonic Anhydrase."  Proc 8th Nat. Conf. Undergrad. Res (1994).

 

D. T. Nguyen , J. E. Meany. "Kinetic Studies of the Iodination of Pyruvate."  Conf. Undergrad. Proc. 8th Nat. Res. (1994). 

 

K. Woelfel, D. Nguyen, J. E. Meany."The Reversible Hydration and Enolization of Pyruvate. "Proc. 7th Nat. Conf. Undergrad. Res. (1993).

 

M. Aversa and J. E. Meany. "The Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase by Aqueous Solutions of Acetaldehyde."  Abstracts of the 47th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Missoula, Montana, 1992.

 

J. Anderson, K. Woelfel and J. E. Meany, "The Reversible Enolization of Pyruvic Acid and Pyruvate Anion: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies."   Abstracts of the 47th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Missoula, Montana, 1992.

 

J. Anderson, T. Byrne, K. Woelfel and J. E. Meany, "The Enzymatically Catalyzed Hydrolysis of p-Nitrophenyl Acetate: Team Laboratory Projects."  Abstracts of the 47th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Missoula, Montana, 1992.

 

T. Ghermay and J. E. Meany, "General Acid, Base and Enzymatic Catalysis of the Reversible Hydration of Pyruvate”. Abstracts of the 45th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1990.

 

M. Lonie and J. E. Meany, "Preferential Substrates in Glyoxylate Reductase Catalysis."  45th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1990.

 

J. Buttitta, J. Rasmussen,  J. E. Meany, "The Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase." Abstracts of the 44th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Reno, Nevada, 1989.

 

A. Kiesel, J. E. Meany, "Preferential Substrate in Glyoxylate Reductase Catalysis."  Abstracts of the 44th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Reno, Nevada, 1989.

 

J. Buttitta, J. Rasmussen and J. E. Meany, "Aldehydic Substrates and Inhibitors of Xanthine Oxidase”. Abstracts of the 43rd Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Spokane, Washington, 1988.

 

T. F. Pilot D.G. Alleman and John Meany, "Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase by Folic Acid and Antifolates."  First Annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Asheville, N.C., 1987.

 

G. W. Smith and John Meany, "Enol Pyruvate as a Potential Substrate Inhibitor of Lactate Dehydrogenase."  Abstracts of the 42nd Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Bellingham, Washington, 1987.

 

J. Ju and John Meany, "Substrate Inhibition of Lactate Dehydrogenase:  pH and Temperature Effects."  Abstracts of the 42nd Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Bellingham, Washington, l987.

 

T. F. Pilot, K. Robinson and John Meany, "The Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase by Aldehydes."  Abstracts of the 4lst Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Portland, Oregon, l986.

 

G. W. Smith, J. Damitio and John Meany, "The General Base-Catalyzed Enolization of Pyruvate."  Abstracts of the 41st Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Portland, Oregon, l986.

 

J. Ju and John Meany, "A Comparative Study of the Inhibition of Trout and Beef Lactate Dehydrogenase Enzymes by 2,2-Dihydroxypropanoate."  Abstracts of the 4lst Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Portland, Oregon, l986.

 

 G. Spyridis and J. E. Meany, "The Reversible Tautomerization of Acetylacetone." Abstracts of the 40th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Sun Valley, Idaho, l985.

 

D. H. Robinson and J. E. Meany, "The Inhibition of Trout Muscle Lactate Dehydrogenase."  Abstracts of the 40th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Sun Valley, Idaho, l985.

 

K. Robinson and J. E. Meany, "The Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase."  Abstracts of the 40th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Sun Valley, Idaho, l985.

 

J. Damitio, S. T. Belcher and J. E. Meany, "The Enolization of Pyruvate Ion.  General Base Catalysis."  Abstracts of the 39th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Moscow, Idaho, l984.

 

J. Damitio, S. T. Belcher and J. E. Meany, "An Experiment on Enzyme Kinetics."  Abstracts of the 39th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Moscow, Idaho, l984.

 

D. H. Robinson, and J. E. Meany,"The Inhibition of Muscle Lactate Dehydrogenase by 2,2-Dihydroxypropanoic Acid."  Abstracts of the 39th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Moscow, Idaho, l984.

 

P. S. Molchan and J. E. Meany, "The Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase by Aliphatic and Heteroaromatic Aldehydes," Abstracts of the 39th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Moscow, Idaho, 1984.

 

C. Burrows, W. Ausserer, J. E. Braden and J. E. Meany, "The Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase by Aldehydes."  Abstracts of the 56th Annual Meeting of the Northwest Scientific Association, l34, Olympia, Washington, l983.

 

Numerous additional student presentations while tenured at Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA.