• Cynthia Strong

    Cynthia Strong

    William Deskin Professor of Chemistry


Academic History

  • PhD in Chemistry, Caltech, 1989
  • BA in Chemistry, minor in Biology, Whitman College, 1982

Courses Taught

  • CHE 121:  Chemical Principles I
  • CHE 122:  Chemical Principles II
  • CHE 161:  Accelerated General Chemistry
  • CHE 200:  The Environment and Global Health (Sophomore Year Seminar)
  • CHE 202:  Analytical Chemistry
  • CHE 333:  Advanced Analytical Chemistry
  • CHE 335:  Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

Faculty-Student Research

My current research involves the study of archaeological artifacts using chemical techniques.  In collaboration with the Office of the State Archaeologist of Iowa at the University of Iowa, we are using X-ray fluorescence and other methods to determine the concentrations of trace metals in pottery fragments from archaeological sites in Iowa and South Dakota.  Our goal is to shed light on the origin and possible exchange of pottery between cultures that existed ~800-1000 years ago.  

A second current research project seeks to measure nutritional information in fruits consumed by the Mariana fruit bat, a threatened species.  In collaboration with Prof. Tammy Mildenstein in the Department of Biology, we are quantifying eight minerals and protein in native and agricultural fruits collected on Rota, one of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Prior Positions

  • Dreyfus Teaching/Research Fellow, Occidental College, 1988-89
  • Research Associate, Pomona College, 1982-83
  • Research Chemist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, summer 1982

Publications

  • C. Strong, S. Calabrese, "X-ray fluorescence analysis of ceramics from the Glenwood Locality and Correctionville: Comparison with Mill Creek ceramics," Appendix H of "Correctionville and the Oneota Tradition" by D. R. Henning; J. Doershuk, A. R. Collins, and S. C. Lensink, Eds.; Office of the State Archaeologist of Iowa, 2023.  
  • N. Bauer, K. Sorenson, C. Strong, "Heavy metal uptake and nutrient composition in hydroponically grown Lactuca sativa;" Poster presentation 3792312; Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society; October 21, 2022.
  • W. Green, J. B. Stoltman, G. R. Holley, C. Strong, R. Ferguson, J. A Tiffany, "Caddo or Cahokian?  Stylistic and compositional analyses of a fine-engraved vessel from Northwest Iowa,"  Plains Anthropologist 2021, 66, 86-119.
  • R. M. Wadkins, S. Lopera Cardona, B. Quimby, and C. Strong, "Mineral and protein content of fruits consumed by the Mariana fruit bat for its conservation management;" poster presentation, National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Philadelphia, PA; March 23, 2020 (conference cancelled).
  • S. Nadel, C. Strong, and L. M. Alex, "An XRF Analysis of Ceramics from the Huston-Fox Site (39MD133), Meade County, South Dakota;" poster presentation, 75th Annual Plains Anthropological Conference, Bismarck, ND; October 4-7, 2017.
  • W. Green, J. B. Stoltman, G. R. Holley, J. A. Tiffany, and C. Strong, "Reanalysis of a Fine-Engraved Vessel from Northwest Iowa: Implications Regarding Caddo and Mississippian Contacts;" 75th Annual Plains Anthropological Conference, Bismarck, ND; October 4-7, 2017.
  • C. Strong, E. Davidson, and J. A. Tiffany, "X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Mill Creek Pottery Fragments;" poster presentation, PITTCON, Chicago, IL; March 5-9, 2017.
  • E. Davidson, C. Strong, and J. A. Tiffany, "X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Mill Creek Pottery;" poster presentation, Midwest Archaeological Conference, Iowa City, IA; October 7, 2016.
  • M. Chattopadhyay, E. Nwadibia, C. D. Strong, E. B. Gralla, J. S. Valentine, and J. P. Whitelegge, "The Disulfide Bond, but Not Zinc or Dimerization, Controls Initiation and Seeded Growth in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-linked Cu,Zn Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1) Fibrillation," J. Biol. Chem. 2015, 290, 30624.
  • C. Strong, "Chemistry of Global Health Issues: An Introductory Course for Non-Majors," poster CHED 92, 237th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Salt Lake City, UT; March 22-26, 2009.
  • M. Chattopadhyay, A. Durazo, S. H. Sohn, C. D. Strong, E. B. Gralla, J. P. Whitelegge, and J. S. Valentine, "Initiation and elongation in fibrillation of ALS-linked superoxide dismutase," Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 2008, 105, 18663.
  • C. Strong and J. Ruttencutter, "Biochemical Applications in the Analytical Chemistry Lab," J. Chem. Educ. 2004, 81, 1706. 
  • L. M. Utschig, T. Baynard, C. Strong, and T. V. O'Halloran, "Probing copper-thioether coordination chemistry in rusticyanin and azurin by 2D 1H-199Hg NMR," Inorg. Chem. 1997, 36, 2926.
  • C. Strong, S. L. Harrison, and W. Zeger, "Preparation and characterization of cobalt(II)-substituted rusticyanin," Inorg. Chem. 1994, 33, 606.
  • C. Strong St. Clair, H. B. Gray, and J. S. Valentine, "Spectroelectrochemistry of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase," Inorg. Chem. 1992, 31, 925.
  • C. Strong St. Clair, W. R. Ellis, and H. B. Gray, "Spectroelectrochemistry of blue copper proteins:  pH and temperature dependences of the reduction potentials of five azurins," Inorg. Chim. Acta 1992, 191, 149.
  • C. D. Selassie, C. D. Strong, C. Hansch, T. J. Delcamp, J. H. Freisheim, and T. A. Khwaja, "Comparison of triazines as inhibitors of L1210 dihydrofolate reductase and of L1210 cells sensitive and resistant to methotrexate," Cancer Research 1986, 46, 744.
  • E. A. Coats, C. S. Genther, C. D. Selassie, C. D. Strong, and C. Hansch, "Quantitative structure-activity relationship of antifolate inhibition of bacteria cell cultures resistant and sensitive to methotrexate," J. Med. Chem. 1985, 28, 1910.
  • E. Kakkis, V. C. Palmire, C. D Strong, W. Bertsch, C. Hansch, and U. Schirmer, "Quantitative structure-activity relationships in the inhibition of photosystem II in chloroplasts by phenylureas," J. Agric. Food Chem. 1984, 32, 133.

External grants

  • Iowa Private Academic Libraries Open Educational Resources (OER) Project, "OER for Advanced Analytical Chemistry;" joint grant with Martin St. Clair (Coe College); $2000; 2021.
  • Associated Colleges of the Midwest: Faculty Career Enhancement Program, "Digital Repository of Curated Molecular Models Prepared for 3D Printing," joint grant with Jason Cody (Lake Forest College), Connie Corso (Lake Forest College), and Claude Mertzenich (Luther College); $26,739; 2019-2022.
  • Project Director, Roy. J. Carver Charitable Trust Grant, "Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Enhance Laboratory Education and Research in Chemistry at Cornell College;" $200,000; 2014.
  • 2014 Pittsburgh Conference Memorial National College Grants Program, "Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer;" joint grant with Martin St. Clair (Coe College); $10,000; 2013.

  • R. J. McElroy Trust Student/Faculty Research Fund, “Production and Study of Mutant Forms of Human Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase;” $2000; 2012.

  • R. J. McElroy Trust Student/Faculty Research Fund, “Copper and Zinc Binding to Mutant Forms of Human Superoxide Dismutase;” $2000; 2006.

  • R. J. McElroy Trust Student/Faculty Research Fund, “Production, Purification, and Metal Binding Studies of Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase;” $2000; 2005.

  • Associated Colleges of the Midwest: Faculty Career Enhancement Program, “Copper and Zinc Binding to Mutant Forms of Human Superoxide Dismutase;” $3000; 2005-06.

  • National Science Foundation: Curriculum, Course, and Laboratory Improvement Program, “Integrating Biochemical Topics into the Analytical Lab using HPLC and UV/Visible Spectrophotometry;” $38,002; 2002-05.

  • Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society, “Metal Binding and Redox Activity Studies of the Cobalt-dependent Enzyme Methionine Aminopeptidase;” $24,935; 1997-99.

  • SC Johnson Wax Fund, “Notebook Computers for Data Acquisition in General Chemistry;” $10,000; 1997-98.

  • National Science Foundation Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement Program, “Improving Undergraduate Instruction in Electrochemistry;” $9625; 1993-95.

  • Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society, “Metal Substitution Studies of the Blue Copper Protein Rusticyanin;” $18,000; 1991-93.

  • National Science Foundation Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement Program, “Atomic Absorption Spectrometer for Undergraduate Instruction in Chemistry;” $10,069; 1991-93.

  • Supplemental Award of the Dreyfus Foundation Grant Program in Chemistry for Liberal Arts Colleges, “Preparation and Characterization of Metal-Substituted Forms of the Blue Copper Protein Rusticyanin;” $10,000; 1990-92.