Steven T. Frey

associate chair and Associate Professor of Chemistry

Office: CIS 310J
Phone: 518-580-5124
Email: sfrey@skidmore.edu
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4163-0183

 

At Skidmore since 1996
Curriculum Vitae

Education

• B.S. 1987, Ithaca College
• Ph.D. 1994, Penn State University
• Postdoctoral Fellow 1994-1996, Johns Hopkins University

Research

Research in the Frey group is currently focused on the synthesis and characterization of transition metal complexes that mimic the active-site centers of metalloenzymes. Although enzymes are comprised mainly of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, they often contain transition metal ions as cofactors that enable important catalytic properties. We are specifically interested in enzymes that contain either copper or manganese in their active sites, and have synthesized and studied a number of small molecular weight compounds that have structural and reactive properties in common with them.  Through this work, we hope to learn more about how nature utilizes transition metals, and to discover new compounds of practical or medicinal use.  A secondary project in the group is to produce composites by immobilizing metal ions, metal complexes, or biological molecules on solid-state materials. Applications of these composite materials include catalysis, optical information storage, and the detoxification of environmental pollutants. Prof. Frey has collaborated with numerous undergraduate students on research projects.  Students regularly present at regional and national conferences, and have co-authored publications.

Teaching

• SSP-100 Scribner Seminar – “If the Elements Could Talk”
• CH 115 Fundamentals of Chemistry (lecture)
• CH 125 Chemical Principles (lecture and lab)
• CH 314 Inorganic Chemistry (lecture and lab)

Selected Publications (*Indicates undergraduate co-authors

• Steven T. Frey, Jason Li*, Manpreet Kauer, and Jerry P. Jasinski.“Crystal structure of a mononuclear copper(II) complex with 2-methoxy-N,N -bis(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)ethylamine (DQMEA),”Acta Crystallographica, 2018,E74, 1138-1141. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S2056989018010319
• Steven T. Frey, Hillary A. Ramirez*, Manpreet Kauer, and Jerry P. Jasinski.“Crystal structure of a seven-coordinate manganese(II) complex with tris(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine (TMPA),” Acta Crystallographica, 2018, E74, 1075-1078. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S2056989018009611
• Steven T. Frey, Stephanie L. Guilmet*, Richard G. Egan III*, Alyssa Bennett*, Sarah R. Soltau*, and Richard C. Holz.“Immobilization of the Aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolyticaon Mg²⁺/Al³⁺Layered Double Hydroxide Particles,” ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 2010,2, 2828-2832.
• Steven T. Frey, Benjamin M. Hutchins*, Brian J. Anderson*, Teresa K. Schreiber*, and Michael E. Hagerman.“Catalytic Hydrolysis of 4-Nitrophenyl Phosphate by Lanthanum(III)-Hectorite,” Langmuir,2003, 19, 2188-2192.
• Steven T. Frey, William R. Moomaw, Judith A. Halstead, Caitlin W. Robinson*, Kimberly A. Marsella, and John J. Thomas.“Home Energy Conservation Exercise,” Journal of Geoscience Education, 2003, 51, 521-526.
• Michelle W. Frey, Steven T. Frey, and Sarah R. Soltau*. “Exploring the pH Dependence of L-leucine-p-nitroanilide Cleavage by Aminopeptidase Aeromonas Proteolytica: A Combined Buffer-Enzyme Kinetics Experiment for the General Chemistry Laboratory,” The Chemical Educator,2010, 15, 117-120.
• Steven T. Frey and Gregory L. Wrubel*.“The Geometry of Crystalline Substances,” New York State Mathematics Teachers Journal, 2003, 53, 7-11.

Affiliated Programs and Professional Memberships

• Environmental Studies at Skidmore
• Periclean Honors Forum
• Council on Undergraduate Research
• The American Chemical Society