Our Faculty and Staff

Vicky Minderhout (formerly Vicky Minderhout Brautigan) Professor Telephone: (206) 296-5959 e-mail: vicky@seattleu.edu

Education Professional Experience Publications Research View C.V. (pdf)

Dr. Minderhout has taught lecture and laboratory components of general chemistry, quantitative analysis, instrumental analysis, and a three-quarter clinical chemistry sequence. Her research in biochemistry includes enzyme purification and kinetic studies, and currently emphasizes effects of fatty acids on signal transduction in cells.

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Biochemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 1977

B.A., Chemistry, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1972

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Professor, Department of Chemistry (Present)
Seattle University, Seattle, WA

Visiting Scientist
Pacific Northwest Research Institute (2003 - present)
Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc. Bothell, WA (2000 - 2002)
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle , WA (1993 - 1994)

Workshop Mentor/Facilitator on Teaching

POGIL Workshop, WCCTA meeting, Leavenworth, WA, 2004
POGIL Workshop, University of Redlands, Redlands, CA, 2004
POGIL Workshop, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2003
POGIL Workshop, Mid-Atlantic Discovery Chemistry Project Meeting, Lancaster, PA, 2003
Faculty Teaching Institute, Ricks College Rexburg, Idaho, 1997

Chair, General Science Department (September 1988 - June 1989)
Seattle University

Chair, Dept. of Allied Health (September 1983 - June 1989)
Seattle University

Clinical Chemistry Consultant, Clinical Chemistry Laboratory (September 1982-1989)
Veterans Admin. Medical Center
Seattle, Washington 98108

Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry (September 1982 - June 1983)
Seattle University

Assistant Professor and Program Director for Clinical Chemistry (September 1980 - June 1981)
Department of Chemistry
Seattle University

Asst. Director of Nutrition Laboratory (July 1980 - September 1981)
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Harborview Medical Center
Seattle, Washington 98104

Chief Postdoctoral Fellow (July 1979 - June 1980)
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, University of Washington
Seattle, Washington 98195

Postdoctoral Fellow (July 1977 - June 1979)
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, Univ. of Washington
Seattle, Washington 98195

PUBLICATIONS

Book Chapter

1. Brautigan, V. M., Childs, W. III, Neuhaus, F. C., "The Biosynthesis of Membrane Teichoic Acid in Lactobaccilus Casei : D-Alanyl Lipophilic Compounds as Intermediates," J. Bacteriol 146 : 239, 1981.

Articles

1. Minderhout, V., Tjoa, B., Lerner, C., Bosch, M., Transcriptional Regulation of IL-12p35 Subunit in Monocyte-Derived Human Dendritic Cells. In preparation.

2. Minderhout, V., Thorsell, D., Lewis, J., and Garcia, A., Student Perception of Exam Difficulty Following Introduction of Formal Activities in General Chemistry. In preparation.

3. Minderhout, V. Creating a Facilitation Plan, in Faculty Guidebook: A Comprehensive Tool for Improving Faculty Performance, Pacific Crest, Lisle IL, 2004.

4. Meany, J.M., Minderhout, V., Pocker, Y. Hammonds Postulate: An Organic Chemistry Activity, Journal of Chemical Education 78: 204-207, 2001.

5. Cassillas, E. C., Brautigan, V. M., Kenny, M. A., "Initial Isolation and Stabilization of Aequorin Luminescent Activity from the Jellyfish Aequorea Forskalea ," Anal. Biochem. 111 : 250, 1981.

6. Brautigan, V. M., Childs, W. III, Neuhaus, F. C., "Biosynthesis of D-Alanyl Lipoteichoic Acid in Lactobacillus Casei ," Chemistry and Biological Activity of Bacterial Surface Amphiphiles , Shockman and Wicken, eds., Academic Press, N.Y., 1981.

Abstracts, Presentations and Book Reviews

1. Minderhout, V., Coaching High Level Problem Solving Process talk presented at Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Ames IA, July 2004.

2. Minderhout, V., Coaching High Level Problem Solving Process in Biochemistry poster presented at American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Boston, MA June 2004.

3. Minderhout, V., Coaching Problem Solving Process presented at the 11th annual Washington State College Chemistry Teachers Association meeting, Leavenworth, WA October 23-25, 2003.

4. Minderhout, V., Biochemical Examples in General Chemistry presented at the 10th annual Washington State College Chemistry Teachers Association meeting, Leavenworth, WA October 17-19, 2002.

5. Thorsell, D., and Minderhout, V., Using Classroom Activities to Model the Learning Process presented at the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Bellingham, WA July 28- August1, 2002.

6. Minderhout, V., Book Review of Biochemistry of Signal Transduction and Regulation 2nd edition by Gerhard Kraus to appear in Journal of Chemical Education 2002.

7. Minderhout, V. Invited speaker for Bannan Scholars May 15, 2002, Transcriptional Regulation of IL-12 p35 Production in Dendritic Cells

8. Minderhout, V., Transcriptional Regulation of IL-12 Production in Dendritic Cells presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biochemistry and Moelcular Biology, New Orleans, LA April 20-24, 2002.

9. Minderhout, V., Collecting and Analyzing Assessment Data to Improve Learning and Understanding presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biochemistry and Moelcular Biology, New Orleans, LA April 20-24, 2002.

10. Minderhout, V., Invited speaker at the Biennical Conference on Chemical Education, Ann Arbor, MI July 30- August 3, 2000.Activities and Exercises for Skill Development in Biochemistry

11. Minderhout, V. and Stephens, J. Analyzing and Understanding Journal Articles Using Guided Inquiry presented at the Sigma Xi (The Scientific Research Society) forum titled, Reshaping Undergraduate Science and Engineering Education: Tools for Better Learning Nov 4-5, 1999 Minneapolis, MN

12. Minderhout, V. Book Review of Eicosanoids and Related Compounds in Plants and Animals, edited by Rowley, Kuhn and Schewe to appear in Journal of Chemical Education, 1999.

13. Minderhout, V.., and Skogerboe, K. Promoting an Understanding of Pressure in General Chemistry Students presented at the 7th Annual Washington State College Chemistry Teachers, Ellensburg, WA April 22-24, 1999.

14. Riley, P.W., OMahony, S., Minderhout, V. Uptake of trans-Fatty Acids into Paramecium tetraurelia.Presented at the 53rd Northwest Regional Meeting of the Amercian Chemical Society, Pasco WA, June 17-20 1998.

15. Minderhout, V., Stephens, J. Rempe, M. Assessment in and out of the Classroom presented at the 6th Annual Washington State College Chemistry Teachers Meeting, Leavenworth WA, April 17-18, 1998.

16. Brautigan, V. M., Barnes, G. W., Everitt, M., Kenny, M. A., "The Interaction between Acid Phosphatase and Albumin," Clin. Chem. 28: 1604, 1982.

17. Brautigan, V. M., Rajfer, J., Barnes, G. W., Kenny, M. A., "Comparison of Commercial Acid Phosphatase RIA with Enzyme Method in Monitoring Serum Acid-Phosphatase Levels in 28 Prostatic Carcinoma Patients," Clin. Chem. 26: 1031, 1980.

18. Brautigan, V. M., Kenny, M. A., Laska, S., Barnes, G. W., "Development of Radioimmunoassay for Human Acid Phosphatase," presented at Annual Meeting of Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists, 1979.

19. Brautigan, V. M., Bale, C.S., Kenny, M. A., "Whole Blood Mercury Analysis by Flameless Atomic Absoprtion," Clin. Chem. 24: 203, 1978.

20. Brautigan, V. M. and Neuhaus, F. C., "Biosynthesis, of Membrane Teichoic Acid: Lipophilic Intermediates Containing D-Alanine Ester Residues, Federation Proc. 36: 3481, 1977.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE and INTERESTS

Current research

To examine signal transduction pathways in U937 macrophage that result in production of the protease MMP-1. MMP-1 is found in unstable plaque in coronary heart disease (CHD) and is one piece of evidence linking inflammatory processes to CHD. In macrophages MMP-1 is produced in response to immunological stimulae from T-cells (CD40L) and from environmental stimulae like oxidized fatty acids in LDL. The cellular pathway by which the cell up-regulates the production of this protein from external signals has not been examined and will provide insight into the complex immunology occurring at the site of plaque.

To improve my teaching and students ability to problem solve. I began collecting data on student performance in 1997 and have used that data to understand how to improve my teaching strategies. Teaching problem solving is complex and I hope to make contributions to the growing body of literature in this area.

Undergraduate Student Research Projects

1. Rachel Udelhoven, Signaling Events in the Production of MMP by Macrophages 2004-present

2. Nick Boespflug, Signaling Events in the Production of MMP by Macrophages 2004-present

3. Theresa Mangahas, Macrophage Involvement in Atherosclerosis: Developing a Model System 2002-2004. Paper accepted for publication in Proceedings of National Conference on Undergraduate Research, 2004

4. Thy Huynh, Macrophage Involvement in Atherosclerosis: Developing a Model System 2002-2004 Paper accepted for publication in Proceedings of National Conference on Undergraduate Research, 2004

5. Colleen Oliver, Literature Project, Transcriptional regulation of MMP-1 in macrophages 2002

6. Andrea Verdan, Literature Project p53. 2002-2003

7. Scott Edgar, Determination of the Activation Energy for the Thermal Conversion of Oleic acid to Elaidic Acid Using Gas Chromatography 1999-2000.

8. Seungtack Baick, Determination of the Activation Energy for the Thermal Conversion of Oleic acid to Elaidic Acid Using Gas Chromatography 1999-2000

9. Andrea Voss, Assessing Student Understanding. 1999

10. Josephine Tulong, Optimization of Conditions for Stoeffel Fragment in PCR 1999

11. Jeanette Hanna, Rate Constant and Activation Energy Determination for the Thermal Conversion of cis-Triolein to trans-Triolein 1998-99

12. Michael Przydzielski, Uptake of trans-Fatty Acids into Paramecium tetraurelia. 1999.

13. Shane OMahony, The Effects of cis and trans C18:1 Fatty Acids on the Excitable Membrane of Paramecium, 1996.

14. Raymanette Aquinaldo, Cis and Trans Fatty Acid Analysis of Trioleate (18:1) oil after heating, 1996

15. Paul Riley, Uptake of Trans-Fatty Acids into Paramecium Tetraurelia, 1996

16. Edward Sutter, "The Effects of cis and trans C18:1 Fatty Acids on the Growth and Behavior of Paramecium," 1995.

17. Jared Amuan, "The Effects of cis and trans C18:1 Fatty Acids on the Excitable Membrane of Paramecium," 1994.

18. Gene Tharalson, "Development of a GC-MS Method to Separate the cis and trans Isomers of C18:1 Fatty Acids," 1991-92.

19. Dan Nadig, "Multicomponent Analysis of Hemoglobin Derivatives with a Diode Array Spectrophotometer," 1988-89.

20. Dan Frederick, "Development of an Atomic Absorption Method for the Analysis of Zinc in Serum Samples," 1982-83.

Medical Technology Senior Synthesis Projects and Mentoring of Students Undergraduate Research Projects conducted off campus

1. Lylian Merkley
2. Widya Haruni
3. Tom Nguyen
4. Melody Palilio
5. Robert Dela Gente
6. Heather Hipsher
7. Kelly Young
8. Lori Garrison
9. Megan Allison
10. Ruth Taniguchi
11. Sarah Parker
12. Angela Alfonso
13. Brooke Muhich
14. Brandy Webb
15. Krissy Hope
16. Lily Higgins
17. Elizabeth Scallon

FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS

1. Seattle University School of Science and Engineering Faculty Innovation Award 2003-4.
2. Awarded travel funds from NSF grant (PI: Rick Moog Franklin and Marshall College) to attend POGIL workshop at Franklin and Marshall College, May 2003.
3. Seattle University Summer Faculty Fellowship Award, Summer 2002, 1999, 1995
4. Seattle University School of Science and Engineering Faculty Innovation Award 2002-3
5. Awarded travel funds from NSF grant (PI: David Hanson SUNY Stony Brook) to attend teaching workshop at SUNY Stony Brook, summer 2000.
6. Seattle University Faculty Development Funds for Equipment/Supplies, 1998, 1997, 1994, 1993
7. Awarded $500 scholarship to attend chemistry teaching workshop at SUNY Stony Brook, summer 1997
8. Awarded 5 work units for scholarship by Dean of Science and Engineering, 1996
9. Council on Undergraduate Research Competitive Award, Faculty Mentor for Student Undergraduate Research Experience, 1994
10. National Science Foundation, Research Opportunity Award, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, 1993-1994
11. National Research Service Award, National Cancer Institute Project Title: Acid Phosphatase Isoenzymes by RIA in Cancer Diagnosis, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 1978-1980
12. National Institutes of Health Clinical Chemistry Training Grant Recipient, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, 1977-1978
13. National Institutes of Health Biochemistry Training Grant Recipient, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 1972-1976
14. Sloan Foundation Teaching Fellowship in Chemistry, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1971

SERVICE

CETL (Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning) Search Steering Committee for Director 2003-present
CETL (Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning) Advisory Board 2003-present
CORE Assessment Committee 2003-2004
Standing Committee on Academic Planning 1989-1996
CORE executive committee 1990-1999
Standing committee on teaching and learning 94-2000
Core Review Committee, 2000
Core Review design team 1998
Faculty Advisor for Undergraduate Research Association 97-98, 98-99
Organized Celebration of Student Scholarship 1997-8, 98-99
New Teacher Institute at SU, Presentation 1997, 2003

Departmental personnel committees for 2-year, 4-year and tenure review since 1989
Biology search committee 1998
Biology search 1994 (pariticpated by attending seminars and providing input)
Biology search committee 1986
S & E research lecture, 1995
Advisory Committee for Diagnostic Ultrasound 1989-1994
Chair, Engineering Design Center review, fall 1992

Mentor new faculty 2002-present Assessment projects
Chemistry club advisor, 2002-present
Chemistry search committees, 1985, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2001, 2002
Monitor and initiate library purchases 97-present
Organized facilitated study groups with the learning center 1997-99
General Chemistry Coordinator 1993-2000

WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES ATTENDED (no presentation)

Invited attendee at the first POGIL National Meeting 2003
Participated in SUNY Stonybrook workshops on process education 1997 and 2000
Organized Advanced Teaching Institute Pacific Crest at SU 1998
Organized Teaching Instiitute Pacific Crest at SU 1997
Attended Washington Center Workshop, Involving a Campus Community in Improving Teaching and Learning Nov. 1997
Participated in Wavefunction workshop summer 1997
Attended American Oil Chemists Society Meeting Seattle 1997
Attended American Oil Chemists Society Meeting San Antonio 1995
Participated in 4-day NIH/NSF workshop on grant writing, D.C., 1993

COURSES TAUGHT

CH101, Fundamentals of Chemistry, Lect/Lab
CH102, Fundamentals of Organic and Biochemistry, Lect/Lab
CH121, General Chemistry 1 CH131, General Chemistry Lab 1
CH122, General Chemistry 2 CH132, General Chemistry Lab 2
CH123, General Chemistry 3 CH133, General Chemistry Lab 3
CH219, Quantitative Analysis, Lect/Lab
* CH291, Radiochemistry, Lect/Lab
* CH326, Instrumental Analysis, Lect/Lab
CH454, Biochemistry 1 CH 464 Biochemistry 1Lab
* CH455, Biochemistry 2 CH 465 Biochemistry 2Lab
* Ch456, Biochemistry 3
Ch470, Clinical Chemistry 1 * Ch475, Clinical Chem Lab
CH471, Clinical Chemistry 2 CH481, Clinical Chem Practicum
CH472, Clinical Chemistry 3
* CH493, Chromatography, Lect/Lab
* CH492WA, Research Seminar
AH370, Management and professionalism
* CH 491 , Interdisciplinary course
*indicates courses designed by me, whereas other courses were modeled after previously taught classes

Please direct questions and comments to chemdept@seattleu.edu