Alicia Howard, Ph.D.

Instructor Office Location: Bonilla Science Hall, Room 104 Phone: (210) 890-5335 Email: alhowar1@uiwtx.edu

Bio

Dr. Howard joined The University of Incarnate Word as an adjunct professor in 2018 and became a full-time Instructor for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in 2021. Prior to becoming full-time in 2021, she worked as an adjunct professor for Northwest Vista College in the Natural Science Department. Dr. Howard graduated with her Doctorate in Chemistry from Texas Tech University in 2016 with an interest in drug design for ergosterol-dependent infectious diseases. She is currently working on implementing a CUREs, Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience, based on the Malate Dehydrogenase Enzyme for the Biochemistry I Lab. A certified FLIGHT Mentor with over ten years of teaching experience in chemistry, she has a strong passion to inspire, encourage and connect to the younger generation.

Education

Texas Tech University:

Doctor of Philosophy Chemistry 2016
Master of Science Chemistry 2011
Bachelor of Arts Psychology 2007

Work Experience

The University of the Incarnate Word:

Instructor 2021 - Present
- Coordinator for Introductory Chemistry and Biological Chemistry for Health Professionals II. Designed and implemented coursework for Nursing Majors and First-Year students
Adjunct Professor 2018 - 2021
- Lectured curriculum and administered coursework in chemistry related subjects, including Introductory Chemistry, Biological Chemistry for Health Professionals II lecture and lab, Organic I lab, and Chemical Principles I & II lab

Recent Publications and Presentations

Howard, A., Liu, J., Elmegeed, G.A., Collins, E.K., Nwogwugwu, C.A., and Nes, W.D. Sterol C24-
Methyltransferase: Physio- and stereo- chemical features of the sterol C3 group required for catalytic
competence, Arch Biochem Biophys. 521, 43-50. 2012.
Haubrich, B.A., Collins, E.K., Howard A.L., Wang, Q., Snell, W.J., Miller, M.B., Thomas, C.D., Pleasant, S.K., and Nes, W.D. Characterization, Mutagenesis and Mechanistic Analysis of an Ancient Algal Sterol C24- Methyltransferase: Implications for Understanding Sterol Evolution in the Green Lineage, Phytochemistry. 113, 64-72. 2015.
Presented research over the Sterol C24-Methyltransferase Enzyme at AOCS national convention, 2010.

Courses Taught

Biological Chemistry for Health Professionals II
Chemical Principles I Lab
Chemical Principles II Lab
Introductory Chemistry
Chemistry Scholars Seminar
Biological Chemistry for Health Professionals II Lab
Biochemistry I Lab
First-Year Experience
Organic Chemistry I lab
Organic Chemistry II lab
General Chemistry I

Research Interests

Currently implementing a CUREs curriculum to increase student interest in STEM for UIW's upper level
Biochemistry I Lab over the Malate Dehydrogenase (MDH) enzyme. MDH is a vital enzyme in the citric acid cycle that is responsible for the reversible oxidation of malate to oxaloacetate from the reduction of NAD+ to NADH. The goal of this research is to elaborate on the existing kinetic parameters of MDH in humans by examining the inhibitory effects of applying changes to the physiological conditions.