Eric Helms

Associate Professor of Chemistry
ISC 326H
585-245-5927
helms@geneseo.edu
he/him/his

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.

 

Picture of Eric Helms

Fall 2024 Office Hours

Mon 2:00p-5:00p
Thurs 2:00p-5:00p
or just drop me an email and we will work to set up a time to meet outside of those hours.

Classes

  • CHEM 100: Chem First Year Experience

    This course serves as an introduction to the chemistry and biochemistry programs at Geneseo and is intended for those considering a chemistry or biochemistry major. Topics include career opportunities, the literature of the chemist and biochemist, research opportunities, software used in the chemistry curriculum, and strategies for success.

  • 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.

  • CHEM 290: Chemistry Research

    This course provides an opportunity for students to engage in an exploratory laboratory research experience with a Chemistry Department faculty member. Research positions are arranged by consultation with the course instructor, faculty mentor, and student. A learning agreement and permission of instructor is required for class registration; use the link in section notes to submit a permission request. May be repeated for credit without exceeding a maximum of 4 credits. This course is graded on an S/U basis and cannot count toward the major.

  • CHEM 490: Advanced Chemistry Research

    An individual, student-led, advanced laboratory research experience with a Chemistry Department faculty member. Working with a faculty mentor, students design, perform, and analyze the results of a laboratory experiment. Students submit a written laboratory report that conforms to American Chemical Society Guidelines and a self-reflection about their experience. A learning agreement and permission of instructor is required for class registration. Use the link in section notes to submit a permission request.

  • NEUR 488: Exp: Science of Cannabis

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

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