People

Alice Haddy

Education

B.S., University of Michigan , 1981
Ph.D., University of Michigan , 1988
Postdoctoral, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, 1988-89
University of Michigan, 1989-91; Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, 1991-94

Overview

Dr. Haddy’s areas of interest for both teaching and research include physical chemistry, spectroscopy, bioenergetics, energy use, and the history of chemistry.

Courses Taught

HSS 246:  Energy, People, and the Planet (Honors, Natural Science)

Our society uses a huge amount of energy and greatly depends on a stable supply. In this course, we explore where our energy comes from and how is it used. Topics range from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources, and we discuss the need to deal with dwindling natural energy resources and growing environmental impacts.

CHE 402:  Chemistry Seminar

The goal of this course is to learn how to give an effective talk or seminar about chemistry or biochemistry. We discuss and practice organization, preparation, and oral presentation, which are skills that will be valuable in your future career, no matter what you eventually do.

CHE 406:  Introduction to Physical Chemistry

In this course, we use physical principles to describe molecules and the reactions they undergo. We study how the laws of thermodynamics are used to understand energy exchange in reactions and chemical equilibrium. We also explore how quantum mechanics is used to understand the properties of atoms and molecules.

CHE 462:  Physical Chemistry II

In this course, we develop the concepts of quantum mechanics to understand the properties of atoms and molecules. We apply these principles to cases that are used to model various forms of spectroscopy and to understand the energy and electronic structure of atoms and simple molecules.

CHE 663:  Spectroscopy and Structure of Proteins and Nuclei Acids

This course explores spectroscopic and structural methods for the study of biological macromolecules. We focus on the physical properties of proteins and nucleic acids and the techniques used to gain information of functional relevance.

Photosystem II Research

Dr. Haddy has carried out research on the chemistry of photosynthesis, particularly the production of molecular oxygen by photosystem II (PSII), one of the light-absorbing membrane-bound protein complex of plants. Oxygen evolution occurs as a part of the biological conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, which is consumed by both plants and animals. In addition, this process is the source of the atmospheric oxygen used by all respiring creatures. Because of its key role in the natural energy cycle of the earth, catalytic O₂ production is an important model for artificial solar energy systems. In photosystem II, H₂O is oxidized to O₂ at a Mn₄CaO₅ cluster, with electrons donated to the electron transport chain driven by light absorption within the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts. In the Haddy lab, studies have examined how this complex catalytic reaction is promoted by the calcium ion of the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster and two nearby chloride ions. This research has primarily used enzyme kinetics studies of oxygen evolution combined with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster and a redox active tyrosine residue. Projects have been funded by the Dreyfus Foundation, the Research Corporation, and the National Science Foundation.

Science History Research

Dr. Haddy has on-going research projects in the area of science history. One study examines the life of Florence Schaeffer, who was Head of the Department of Chemistry during the mid-20^th century when UNCG was known as the Woman’s College of UNC. It details the experimental research undertaken by Miss Schaeffer during her graduate studies in the 1920’s, as well as her legacy in educating young women majoring in chemistry. Another project involves a study of early synthetic analgesic drugs used in medicines during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. These drugs were often used in patent medicine headache and cold remedies, such as Bromo-Seltzer and Bromo-Quinine. With the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, these drugs were regulated for the first time in US history, initiating far-reaching changes in the marketing and manufacture of drugs.

Selected publications in photosynthesis:

1. “Exploring the interdependence of calcium and chloride activation of O₂ evolution in photosystem II” Alice Haddy, Shilpa Beravolu, Jeremiah Johnston, Hannah Kern, Monica McDaniel, Brandon Ore, Rachel Reed, and Henry Tai (2024), accepted in Photosynthesis Research
2. “Characterization of fluoride inhibition in photosystem II lacking extrinsic PsbP and PsbQ subunits” Alice Haddy, Ia Lee, Karen Shin, and Henry Tai (2018) Journal of Photochemistry & Photobiology, B: Biology 185, 1-9
3. “An enzyme kinetics study of the pH dependence of chloride activation of oxygen evolution in photosystem II” Sergei Baranov and Alice Haddy (2017) Photosynthesis Research 131, 317-332
4. “The Cl^– requirement for oxygen evolution by photosystem II explored using enzyme kinetics and EPR spectroscopy” (Review) Alice Haddy, Vonda Sheppard, Rachelle Johnson, and Eugene Chen (2017) in Photosynthesis: Structures, Mechanisms, and Applications (H. J. M. Hou, M. M. Najafpour, G. F. Moore, S. I. Allakhverdiev, Eds.), p 67-95, Springer Publishers

Selected presentations in science history (with published abstracts):

1. “Acetanilide and phenacetin:  Early synthetic antipyretic/analgesic drugs in the dawn of drug regulation”, Alice Haddy, American Chemical Society National Meeting, History Division, San Francisco, CA, Aug 13-16, 2023
2. “Analgesic contents of patent medicines of the early 20^th century: Bromo-Seltzer and Antikamnia”, Dylan Morris and Alice Haddy, American Chemical Society National Meeting, History Division, Chicago, IL, Aug 21-25, 2022
3. “Florence Schaeffer at the Woman’s College of UNC and the legacy of Mount Holyoke College”, Alice Haddy, American Chemical Society National Meeting, History Division, Atlanta, GA, Aug 22-26, 2021

NIH PubMed Publications for Alice Haddy