Chemistry Program

Eastern Oregon University

Anna G. Cavinato, Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry At Eastern since Fall 1992

phone: (541) 962-3561
fax: (5410 962-3873
e-mail: acavinat@eou.edu
Research group: http://www.eou.edu/~acavinat/research.html

address:

Badgley Hall 303G
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Eastern Oregon University
One University Blvd.
La Grande, OR 97850-2899

• Selected Publications

• Recent presentations

• Professional involvment

Spring '12 Courses

• Chem 206 - General Chemistry (on campus)
  • syllabus
• Chem 401 - Research

• SCI 103 - Matter (on-line)
  • syllabus

Research Interests

Aptamer-based sensors for bacterial detection - We are currently using aptamers with gold nanoparticles for the development of rapid, highly sensitive and specific colorimetric sensors tailored to detect a biomarker unique to the bacterium of interest. The first of these sensors will be aimed at detecting Renibacterium salmoninarum (Rs), the pathogen responsible for causing bacterial kidney disease (BKD) in salmonids.  This research is currently supported by Oregon Sea Grant.

Non invasive spectroscopic analysis - The focus of this research is to develop quantitative or semi-quantitative methods of analysis for biological and food systems. Both Short-Wavelength Near Infrared Spectroscopy (SW-NIR: 700-1100nm) and FT-IR coupled with multivariate data analysis strategies are used for method development.

Environmental monitoring - Environmental monitoring is conducted as part of service learning projects in cooperation with the Grande Ronde Model Watershed.  Currently we are conducting a ten-year study of the effect of stream restoration on the water quality of End Creek.  Parameters under study include nitrates, phosphates, DO, pH, TSS, selected metals and volatile organic compounds.

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