Elizabeth S. Roberts-Kirchhoff
Elizabeth S. Roberts-Kirchhoff
Assistant Dean for Academics
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Degrees
- Ph.D., Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan
- B.S., Chemistry, Texas A & M University
Biography
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Chemistry, August 1991
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Dissertation title: “Role of Cytochrome P450 in the Metabolism of Lipid Hydroperoxides, Retinoids, and Xenobiotic Aldehydes”
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, May 1986
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
Teaching Experience
Biochemistry, Allied Health Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Information and Safety
Chemical Principles (CHM 1015)
Introductory Chemistry for the Health Sciences (CHM 1025)
Basic Biochemistry (CHM 4700)
Biochemistry I (CHM 4710)
Biochemistry II (CHM 4720)
Biochemistry Laboratory (CHM 4730)
Special Topics in Biochemistry (CHM 4740)
Chemical Information and Safety (CHM 5020)
Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry (CHM 6010, Special Topics in Chemistry)
Background:
Analysis of food, dietary supplements, and cosmetics using X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry
We are using X-Ray fluorescence to determine the presence and concentration of elements in food, cosmetics, and dietary supplements. We have looked at kelp, ingestible clay, vitamins, salts, cocoa, and root spices (turmeric and garlic). Future work includes analysis of mineral makeup.
Analysis of pesticides and pharmaceutical compounds in southeastern Michigan waterways
Atrazine is the most commonly used herbicide in the United States and is heavily applied to farm fields in the Midwestern region each year to control the growth of broad-leaf weeds. High concentrations of atrazine may ultimately enter nearby streams and rivers and remain high for several weeks. We are using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method to examine bioaccumulation of atrazine and its main metabolites (i.e., diaminochlorotriazine, deisopropylatrazine, and deethylatrazine in the digestive gland (liver) and muscle tissue of crayfish following exposures to environmentally relevant concentrations of atrazine.
Research Interests:
- Analysis of food, dietary supplements, and cosmetics using X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry
- Analysis of pesticides and pharmaceutical compounds in southeastern Michigan waterways
- Cytochrome P450 and metabolism of xenobiotics
- Use of active-learning strategies in the university classroom
Publications: (Since 2010, * undergraduate student)
Yost, S.; Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S.; Zarkowski, P. “We’re All in the Same Boat” Promoting an Institutional Culture of Assessment, 118th ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, June 26 - 29, 2011 Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Garshott, D.M.*; MacDonald, E.A.*; Murray, M.N.; Benvenuto, M.A.; Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S. Elemental Analysis of a Varity of Dried, Powdered, Kelp Food Supplements for the Presence of Heavy Metals via Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry. In It’s All in the Water: Studies of Materials and Conditions in Fresh and Salt Water Bodies; Benvenuto, M.A., Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S; Murray, M.N.; Garshott, D.M.*, Eds.; ACS Symposium Series 1086; American Chemical Society: Washington, D.C., 2011; pp. 123-133.
Labond. J.L.*; Stroeters, N. H.*; Benvenuto, M.A.; Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S. Analysis of Nine Edible Clay Supplements with a Handheld XRF Analyzer. In Chemistry of Food, Food Supplements, and Food Contact Materials: From Production to Plate, Benvenuto, M.A., Ahuja, S., Duncan, T.V., Noonan, G.O., Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S., Eds. ACS Symposium Series 1159, American Chemical Society: Washington, D.C., 2014, pp. 99-111.
Schroeder, A. E.*, Smith, Z.R.*, Benvenuto, M.A., Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S. Analysis of Dietary Supplements with a Handheld XRF Analyzer. In Food, Energy and Water, Ahuja, S., Ed. Elsevier: Amsterdam, 2015, pp. 383-390.
Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S. A Service-Learning Project Focused on the theme of National Chemistry Week: “Energy Now and Forever” for Students in a General, Organic and Biological Chemistry Course. In Service Learning and Environmental Chemistry: Relevant Connections, Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S; Mio, M.J.; Benvenuto, M.A., Eds. ACS Symposium Series 1177; American Chemical Society: Washington, D.C., 2014; pp. 73-85.
Lanigan, K.C. Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S. Investigating Drinking Water Quality: Theme-based Activities for a Range of Instructional Levels. In Chemistry and the Environment: Pedagogical Models and Practices, Lanigan, K.C.; Benvenuto, M.A.; Evans, K.R.; Rihana, A.; Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S., Eds. ACS Symposium Series 1214; American Chemical Society: Washington, D.C., 2015; pp. 51-67.
Barakat, A.*, Maurice, S.*, Roberts, C.*, Benvenuto, M.A., Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S. Analysis of Salts and Salt Substitutes with a Handheld X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer. In Trace Materials in Air, Soil, and Water, Evans, K.R.; Benvenuto, M.A.; Lanigan, K.C.; Rihana, A.; Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S., Eds. ACS Symposium Series 1210; American Chemical Society: Washington, D.C., 2015; pp. 101-104.
Grants and Awards: (Since 2010)
“Quantitative Analysis of the Accumulation of Atrazine and its Metabolites in the Digestive Gland of Crayfish (Orconectes virilis)” University of Detroit Mercy UDMPU Internal Research Fund, Principal Investigator: Rachelle Belanger, My role: Co-Principal Investigator, $8641 (2016-2017).
“Analysis of Sea Salts and mineral Cosmetics by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy” University of Detroit Mercy UDMPU Internal Research Fund, Principal Investigator: Mark Benvenuto, My role: Co-Principal Investigator, $6600 (2015-2016).
“Research Enhancement for BUILDing Detroit (REBUILD Detroit)” National Institutes of Health Build Initiative, Principal Investigator: Gary Kuleck, My role: Key Personnel as UDM representative of the Institutional Development Core, $21,433,853 (2014-2019).
“Investigation of Pesticide and Pharmaceutical Contamination in Southeast Michigan Waters” University of Detroit Mercy UDMPU Internal Research Fund, Principal Investigator: Kendra Evans, My role: Co-Principal Investigator, $4252 (2014-2015).
“Investigation of Pesticide and Pharmaceutical Contamination in Southeast Michigan Waters” University of Detroit Mercy College of Engineering and Science Faculty Grant Incentive Program, Principal Investigator: Kendra Evans, My role: Co-Principal Investigator, $4500 (2013-2014).
“Investigation of Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, and Arsenic in Protein Powder Supplements by Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry”, University of Detroit Mercy UDMPU Internal Research Fund, Principal Investigator $5250 (2012-2013).
“Investigation of Lead, Mercury and Arsenic in Clay Dietary Supplements”. University of Detroit Mercy UDMPU Internal Research Fund, Principal Investigator: Mark Benvenuto, My role: Co-Principal Investigator, $5350 (2011-2012).
“Investigation of Lead, Mercury and Arsenic in Seaweed and Clay Dietary Supplements”, University of Detroit Mercy College of Engineering and Science Faculty Grant Incentive Program, Principal Investigator, $4100 (2010-2011).
Division of Chemical Education Travel Award, American Chemical Society, 2013
Dean’s Travel Award, College of Engineering and Science, University of Detroit Mercy, 2013
Salute to Excellence Award, American Chemical Society, 2012