Eric Helms has been a member of the Geneseo faculty since 2001; He was awarded the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2014.
Office Hours
My office hours for the Fall semester of 2022 are Mondays and Fridays from 1 pm until 4 pm or just drop me an email and we will work to set up a time to meet outside of those hours.
Classes
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CHEM 211: Organic Chemistry I
An introduction to modern organic chemistry using a functional group approach. Topics include structure/reactivity relationships, reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy.
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CHEM 213: Organic Chemistry II
Continuation of CHEM 211 with emphasis on the biochemically important alcohol, amine, carbonyl and aromatic functional groups. Structure elucidation by spectroscopic methods is also explored.
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CHEM 318: Advanced Organic Chemistry
Organic synthesis: Introduction to retrosynthetic analysis including a detailed study of methods of introducing stereo control. Mechanistic organic chemistry: conformational analysis, transition state theory, kinetics and reaction mechanism, computer modeling, and other topics of contemporary interest. Prerequisites: CHEM 213 or CHEM 224. Co-requisites: CHEM 324 or CHEM 320 or permission of the instructor. Not offered on a regular basis
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
B.S., Rockford College, Rockford, Illinois
Publications
Coffey, J. M., Vadas, A., Puleo, Y., Lewis, K., Pirone, G., Rudolf, H.L., Helms, E.D., Wood, T. D., and Flynn- Charlebois, A.; “Synthesis and Characterization of a Deuterium-Labeled Stercobilin: A Potential Biomarker for Autism”, Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals, 2018; 14 May, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/jlcr.3629
Hilimire, Thomas; Chamberlain, Jeffrey; Anokhina, Viktoriya; Bennett, Ryan; Swart, Oliver; Myers, Jason; Ashton, John; Stewart, Ryan; Gates, Kathleen; Featherston, Aaron; Helms, Eric; Smith, Harold; Dewhurst, Stephen; Miller, Benjamin; “HIV-1 Frameshift RNA-Targeted Triazoles Inhibit Propagation of Replication-Competent and Multi Drug-Resistant HIV in Human Cells”, Publication Date (Web): April 27, 2017 (Articles) DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00052.
Best, Katherine T., Li, Diana, Helms, Eric D.; “Molecular Modeling of an Electrophilic Addition Reaction with ‘Unexpected’ Regiochemisty” The Journal of Chemical Education, 2017, 94(7), 936 – 940. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00488. Publication Date (Web) April 27, 2017.
Hilimire TA, Bennett RP, Stewart RA, Garcia-Miranda P, Blume A, Becker J, Sherer N, Helms ED, Butcher SE, Smith HC, Miller BL.; “N-Methylation as a Strategy for Enhancing the Affinity and Selectivity of RNA-binding Peptides: Application to the HIV-1 Frameshift-Stimulating RNA”; ACS Chemical Biology, 2016, 11(1), 88 – 94.
Swoger, Bonnie J.M..; Helms, E.; “An Organic Chemistry Exercise in Information Literacy Using SciFinder”; Journal of Chemical Education, 2015, 92 (4), 668–671.
Arpaia, N.; Widener, M.; Helms, E.; "Assigning the NMR Spectrum of Glycidol: An Advanced Organic Chemistry Exercise"; Journal of Chemical Education, 2007, 84(8), 1328 - 1330.
Odenbaugh, Amy L. , Helms, Eric D., Iverson, Brent L.; "An Investigation of Antibody Acyl Hydrolysis Catalysis Using a Large Set of Related Haptens"; Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, 2000, 8, 413-426.
Shreder, K., Thomas, R., Wallace, M., Helms, E., Iverson, B.; "Evolution of Catalytic Activity throughout a Polyclonal Immune Response Elicited by a Transition-State-Analog Hapten."; Isr. J. Chem., 1996, 36, 215-220.
Interests
Research Interests
Analyzing the phytochemistry of Elaeagnus umbellata fruits as they mature over a growing season as well as the phytochemistry of the leaves and stems.
Developing a genetic test to differentiate the different members of the Elaeagnus genus in order to produce a rapid identification assay.
Developing green synthetic pathways, utilizing bio-derived and bio-degradable solvents, with an eye toward producing useful molecules without petroleum-derived solvents.
Personal Interests
- Bioorganic Chemistry, Natural Products Chemistry, Green Chemistry, Functional Foods