Office: CHB 310 Phone: (405) 325-4383 Email: lclifford@ou.edu

Laura J. Clifford Assistant Professor B.S. (Chemistry, Iowa State University) 1994 M.S. (Toxicology, Iowa State University) 1998 Ph.D. (Food Sci. & Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University) 2002 Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Dept. of Chemistry, Univ. of California, Santa Cruz) 2002-2004 Chemistry Instructor (Dept. of Chemistry, Cabrillo College) 2002-2005

Chemistry is often referred to as the "central science" as its basic principles are found integrated throughout scientific disciplines.  Accordingly, general chemistry is one of the requirements for science majors, allowing students to be exposed to a number of key concepts that provide the foundation of numerous scientific fields.  By making chemistry relevant to these diverse student interests, student participation and retention may be significantly increased.  

The educational environment is constantly changing, and chemistry instruction must also change to incorporate new technologies in the classroom.  The goal of these new technologies is to enhance student education by reshaping the way students approach learning.  By doing so, students may develop the skills necessary to successfully transition from a structured academic environment to their chosen fields.  Developing independent modes of learning through access to educational tools will provide students with lifelong learning habits.

Community colleges across the nation have seen an increase in student enrollment in core science classes, including chemistry.  Many nontraditional students have benefited from the flexibility offered by community colleges, such as night and weekend courses, to begin their pursuit of a higher degree.  As students transfer from community college to university, there is a real and present need to bridge the gap between community college chemistry and university programs.  Community college students must adjust their learning styles accordingly to adapt to the university environment.  The development of a program to combine mentoring, advising, and research opportunities will help student adjustment to university chemistry programs.

Clifford, L. J.; Nair, M. B.; Rana, J.; Dewitt, D. L.  Cyclooxygenase inhibitory and mosquitocidal alkamides from Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench roots. Phytomedicine. 2002, 9, 249-254.

Lu, Y; Clifford, L.; Hauck, C.C. Hendrich, S.; Osweiler, G.; Murphy, P.A.  Characterization of fumonisin B₁-glucose reaction kinetics and products.  J. Agric. Food Chem.  2002, 50, 4726-4733.

Clifford, L. J.; Qunshan, J.; Pestka, J. J.  An improved method for the purification of the trichothecene deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) from Fusarium graminearum culture.  J. Agric. Food Chem.  2003, 51, 521-523.