Ana West, PhD

Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry (Physical Chemistry Division) from Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
• Postdoctoral Research Associate (Biomedical Engineering) from University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• NIH-INBRE Postdoctoral Fellow in Chemistry from New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM
• Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia

Teaching Experience
With over ten years of experience teaching introductory chemistry classes, Dr. West has taught at prestigious institutions such as Emory University, University of Georgia, Florida International University, Mercer University, and Kennesaw State University. Her teaching philosophy focuses on active learning and innovative instructional techniques to boost student engagement and understanding. Dr. West has also been actively involved in course coordination, curriculum development, and mentoring graduate teaching assistants to promote student success. Her main goal is to help early undergraduate students appreciate the relevance and complexity of chemistry, and she is eager to support them throughout their academic journeys. Whether majoring in chemistry or simply exploring the subject, she aims to ensure students have a rewarding and intellectually challenging experience in her courses.

Research Focus
Dr. West’s research interests revolve around self-assembled systems, membrane biophysics, and protein-lipid interactions, focusing on computational and theoretical approaches. Presently, she is investigating models for small-molecule drug design to hinder protein aggregation on membranes within the context of Parkinson’s Disease. Her previous research has been published in several reputable journals.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Education
06/15-09/16: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Postdoctoral Research Associate (Advisor: Jonathan Sachs)

08/13-12/13: New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM, USA.
NIH-INBRE Postdoctoral Fellow (Advisors: Sally Pias and James Kindt, worked remotely from Georgia and Florida)

08/07-12/13: Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Division. Dissertation: "Elasticity and Structure of Self-Assembled Systems  with Defects and Inclusions." (Advisor: James Kindt)

08/2003-05/2006: Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, USA.
BS in Biochemistry, Summa Cum Laude, Completed Honors Program.

Professional Experience
• Florida State University Panama City (FSU PC), College of Applied Sciences, Panama City, Florida 08/2024 - Present
Teaching Faculty I

• Kennesaw State University (KSU), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kennesaw, Georgia 08/2021 - 08/2024
Lecturer of Chemistry and Coordinator
o Taught General and GOB (General, Organic, and Biochemistry) pre-nursing chemistry lecture and lab courses.
o Coordinated the lecture GOB pre-nursing sequence, enrolling 1,000-2,000 students annually.
o Served as the GTA Coordinator for the department.

• Emory University, Department of Chemistry, Atlanta, Georgia 06/2022 - 08/2022
Adjunct Instructor of Chemistry
o Taught the online Macromolecules Lab as part of the Chemistry Unbound curriculum.
o Developed students' research skills through a drug design project using specifications grading.

• University of Georgia (UGA), Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Athens, Georgia 08/2017 - 08/2021
Academic Lecturer of Chemistry
o Taught general chemistry courses and a GOB scale-up preparatory chemistry course.
o Delivered and designed a chemistry course for non-majors with a focus on environmental chemistry.
o Coordinated and taught physical chemistry labs.
o Supervised 3-5 graduate TAs annually for lab and introduced the lecture component.

• Florida International University (FIU), Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami, Florida 08/2016 - 08/2017
Visiting Instructor of Chemistry
o Taught general chemistry lecture courses.
o Utilized peer-learning assistants and POGIL-like worksheets in the classroom.
o Coordinated a weekly supplementary tutoring service for the general chemistry course.

• Mercer University, College of Liberal Arts, Macon, Georgia 08/2014 - 05/2015
Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry
o Taught general chemistry courses with labs.
o Designed an undergraduate research project and secured supercomputing access.
o Supervised one undergraduate student in research for course credit.

• Emory University, Department of Chemistry, Atlanta, Georgia 06/2006 - 06/2007
Research Specialist (Lab Tech)
o Assisted in lab operations, including purchasing supplies and sanitizing glassware.
o Contributed to a research project on peptide expression and purification for reversible polymer networks

 Courses Taught
• Florida State University Panama City
CHM 1045 (General Chemistry I)
CHM 1045L (General Chemistry I Lab)

• Kennesaw State University
CHEM 1211 (General Chemistry I)
 - Fall 2021: One section, 69 students - Spring 2022: One section, 72 students
 - Summer 2022: One section, 31 students - Fall 2022: Two sections, 72 students each
 - Summer 2024: One section, 30 students
CHEM 1211L (General Chemistry I Lab)
 - Fall 2021: Three sections, 72 total students - Spring 2022: Two sections
CHEM 1212 (General Chemistry II)
 - Fall 2021: One section, 24 students - Spring 2022: One section, 58 students
CHEM 3601L (Physical Chemistry Lab, Spectroscopy)
 - Fall 2022: 6 students
CHEM 1151 (General-Organic-Biochemistry I).
 - Spring 2023: Two sections, 72 students each - Summer 2023: One section, 18 students
 - Fall 2023: One in-person section for 72 students, one online section for 144 students
 - Spring 2024: One in-person section for 72 students, one online section for 144 students

• Emory University
CHEM 204L (Macromolecules Lab, 13 students)

• University of Georgia
CHEM 1211 (General Chemistry I).
 - Fall 2017: Two sections, 260 students each - Spring 2019: Two sections, 160 and 240 students
 - Spring 2020: Two sections, 260 students each
CHEM 1212 (General Chemistry II)
 - Spring 2018: One section, 260 students - Spring 2021: Three sections, 260 students each
CHEM 1210 (Basics of Chemistry)
 - Fall 2017: One section, 72 students each - Spring 2018: One section, 72 students each
 - Fall 2018: Two sections, 72 students each
CHEM 1110 (Elementary Chemistry)
 - Fall 2020: 20 students
 CHEM 3511/3511L (Physical Chemistry, Spectroscopy)
 - Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020: 48 students in lecture, divided into 3 lab sections
 CHEM 3512/3512L (Physical Chemistry, Thermodynamics)
 - Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021: 23 students

• Florida International University
CHM 1045 (General Chemistry I)
 - Fall 2016: Two sections, 205 students each
 - Spring 2017: Two sections, 345 and 150 students respectively
CHM1046 (General Chemistry II)
 - One section of 205 students

• Mercer University
CHM 111 (General Chemistry I with Labs) [ Team-taught the lecture component]
CHM 112 (General Chemistry II with Labs)
CHM 295 (Chemical Research Course with Undergraduate Students)
I typically utilized Learning Assistants or Supplemental Instruction in all these courses to help with content dissemination.

• Emory University-Graduate Student
TA for General Chemistry (two semesters) and for Biochemistry (two semesters)
Teaching Fellow for an Arts Conservation and Chemistry Course (two semesters)
TATOO Fellow in Sustainability, Teaching, and Curriculum (one semester)

Research Students Mentored
Emory University
• Kevin Ma: Co-authored a published article
• Jonathan Chung: Co-authored a published article

Mercer University
• Michelle Holmes: Presented a poster at a local research symposium

University of Minnesota
• Ben Brummel: Early graduate student
o Co-authored one published, review article

Research Publications
1. A. West, V. Zoni, W. Teague, A. Leonard, S. Vanni, K. Gawrish, S. Tristram-Nagle, J. Sachs, J.B. Klauda, "How do ethanolamine plasmalogens contribute to the rigidity and structure of neurological membranes?" Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 124(5), 828-839 (2020). doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b08850.
2. R. Hennig, A. West, M. Debus, M. Saur, J. Sachs, J. Markl, D. Schneider, "The IM30/Vipp1 C-terminus associates with the lipid bilayer and modulates membrane fusion." Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics, 1858(2), 126-136 (2017). doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2016.11.004.
3. A. West, B. Braun, B. Brummel, E. Rhoades, J. Sachs, "Membrane remodeling and mechanics: Experiments and simulations of a-synuclein." BBA Biomembranes, S0005-2736(16)30098-0 (2016). doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.03.012.
4. A. West and J.T. Kindt, "On the relationship between plateau modulus and shear relaxation time in transient networks." Macromolecular Theory and Simulations, 24(3), 208-217 (2015). doi: 10.1002/mats.201400093.
5. W. Zheng, Y. Liu, A. West, K. Yehl, E. Schuler, J.T. Kindt, S. Salaita, "Quantum Dots Encapsulated within Phospholipid Membranes: Phase-Dependent Structure, Photostability, and Site-Selective Functionalization." Journal of the American Chemical Society, 136(5), 1992-1999 (2014). doi: 10.1021/ja411339f.
6. A. West, K. Ma, J.L. Chung, J.T. Kindt, "Simulation studies of structure and line tension of lipid bilayer edges: effects of tail structure and force-field." Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 117(32), 7114-23 (2013). doi: 10.1021/jp400371k.
7. A. West and J.T. Kindt, "Effects of defects on shear stress relaxation in self-assembled protein networks." Soft Matter, 8, 2895-2906 (2012). doi: 10.1039/C2SM06500B.

Research Presentations
1. “Do Cardiolipin and PE Lipids change Alpha-Synuclein ( -Syn) Induced Membrane Tubulation?” A. West, B. Brummel, J.N. Sachs, Biophysical Society 60th Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, March 2016 (talk).
2. “Elasticity and Structure of Self-Assembled Systems with Defects and Inclusions”, A. West and J.T. Kindt, Socorro, NM, September 2013 (departmental invited talk).
3. “Elasticity of lipid bilayer edge. Trends in line tension.” A. West, K. Ma. J. Chung, and J.T. Kindt. The 245th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, New Orleans, LA. April 2013 (talk).
4. “Simulation-based systematic approach to understanding the long-time dynamics  of stoichiometrically mismatched, self-assembled protein hydrogels.” A. West and J.T. Kindt  Biophysical Society 57th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. February 2013 (poster).
5. “Elasticity of lipid bilayer edge. Trends in line tension.” A. West, K. Ma. J. Chung, and J.T. Kindt. Biophysical Society 57th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. February 2013 (poster).
6. “Effects of defects on the shear stress relaxation in self-assembled protein networks.” A. West and J.T. Kindt, Boulder School for Condensed Matter and Material Physics- Polymers in Soft and Biological Matter, University of Colorado at Boulder, CO, July 2012. (poster).
7. “The Edge of the Lipid Bilayer. Trends in Line Tension” A. West, K. Ma. J. Chung, and J.T. Kindt. Boulder School for Condensed Matter and Material Physics- Polymers in Soft and Biological Matter, University of Colorado at Boulder, CO, July 2012. (poster).
8. “Effects of defects on the shear stress relaxation in self-assembled protein networks.” A. West and J.T. Kindt, International Symposium on Stimuli-Responsive Materials, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesbug, MS, October 2011 (poster).
9. “Dynamics of model self-assembled networks with defects.” A. West and J.T. Kindt. 39th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA., 2010. (poster).

Awards
Teaching Related Fellowships
1. Faculty Learning Community on Designing Coordinated Courses, Kennesaw State University, Spring 2024.
2. Received NSF Financial Support to Attend the POGIL-PCL Physical Chemistry Workshop, VCU, Spring 2023.
3. Faculty Learning Community on Designing Inclusive Courses Kennesaw State University, Spring 2023.
4. Received NSF Financial Support to Attend the POGIL-PCL Physical Chemistry Workshop, VCU, Summer 2022.
5. Acknowledgment from Career Center for Class of 2020, University of Georgia, Spring 2020.
6. Creating a Sustainable Community of Practice (CSWP), University of Georgia, Fall 2020.
7. Faculty Active-Learning Summer Institute (ALSI) Fellow, University of Georgia, Summer 2018.
8. Emory University Piedmont TATTO Fellowship, Emory University, Atlanta, Spring 2013.
9. Curriculum Development Fellowship, Emory University, Atlanta, Spring 2010, Summer 2010.

Research-Related Fellowships and Prizes
1. NSF financial support to attend “Boulder School for Condensed Matter and Material Physics- Polymers in Soft and Biological Matter.” University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO., USA. (July 9th -August 3rd, 2012).
2. “The 8th Annual Emerson Center Symposium Poster Prize.” Emory University, Atlanta (April 2012).
3. “Soft Matter Poster Prize” by the Soft Matter journal at the 7th International Symposium of Responsive Materials. University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg (October 2011).
4. “Emory University Internal Research Fellowship.” Financial support to travel to NCTU in Taiwan and work with Prof. Henryk Witek, Emory University, Atlanta (Fall 2010).
Undergraduate Accolades: (1). Award in Biochemistry, KSU, May 2006, (2). Merck Index Award in Organic Chemistry, KSU, May 2005. (3). Dean Forrester Award (Honors Program), KSU, May 2005.

Computational Grants
1. XSEDE education grant: CHEM190084 (September 2019)
2. XSEDE startup grant: CHEM 180075 (September 2018).
3. XSEDE startup grant: CHE140124 (September 2014).

Computer Skills

• Programming/Scripting: Perl (proficient), Matlab, Python, Fortran, Chemical Simulation Software Packages and Related Software: As techniques: Molecular dynamics (MD) at the atomistic and coarse-grained level, and Monte-Carlo methods. As software packages: GAMESS, Gromacs, Gaussian, VASP-(band structure calculations and geometry optimizations), DFTB+ (band structure calculations), Matlab, Mathematica,VMD,Xmgrace, Gnuplot, Origin, CrystalMaker, Geomview, GaussView, Scientific Workplace, Vi, Komodo, LaTeX.
• General Chemistry Teaching Software: ALEKS from McGraw-Hill, Smartwork5 from Norton, WebAssign (exams + homework), Mindtap from Cengage, Mastering Chemistry from Pearson, Gradescope (free response worksheets and exam grading), TopHat (homework, response-system, quizzes), McGraw-Hill Connect (homework), TurningPoint (clickers), Peerceptiv (writing), Kritik (writing), Blackboard, Canvas and D2L learning management systems.

Professional Affiliations

1. American Chemical Society (ACS), 2009-
2. Biophysical Society (BPS), 2012-