School of Humanities and Sciences


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  • Keith Hodgson

    Keith Hodgson

    David Mulvane Ehrsam and Edward Curtis Franklin Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Photon Science

    BioCombining inorganic, biophysical and structural chemistry, Professor Keith Hodgson investigates how structure at molecular and macromolecular levels relates to function. Studies in the Hodgson lab have pioneered the use of synchrotron x-radiation to probe the electronic and structural environment of biomolecules. Recent efforts focus on the applications of x-ray diffraction, scattering and absorption spectroscopy to examine metalloproteins that are important in Earth’s biosphere, such as those that convert nitrogen to ammonia or methane to methanol.

    Keith O. Hodgson was born in Virginia in 1947. He studied chemistry at the University of Virginia (B.S. 1969) and University of California, Berkeley (Ph.D. 1972), with a postdoctoral year at the ETH in Zurich. He joined the Stanford Chemistry Department faculty in 1973, starting up a program of fundamental research into the use of x-rays to study chemical and biological structure that made use of the unique capabilities of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL). His lab carried out pioneering x-ray absorption and x-ray crystallographic studies of proteins, laying the foundation for a new field now in broad use worldwide. In the early eighties, he began development of one of the world's first synchrotron-based structural molecular biology research and user programs, centered at SSRL. He served as SSRL Director from 1998 to 2005, and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC) Deputy Director (2005-2007) and Associate Laboratory Director for Photon Science (2007-2011).

    Today the Hodgson research group investigates how molecular structure at different organizational levels relates to biological and chemical function, using a variety of x-ray absorption, diffraction and scattering techniques. Typical of these molecular structural studies are investigations of metal ions as active sites of biomolecules. His research group develops and utilizes techniques such as x-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy (XAS and XES) to study the electronic and metrical details of a given metal ion in the biomolecule under a variety of natural conditions.

    A major area of focus over many years, the active site of the enzyme nitrogenase is responsible for conversion of atmospheric di-nitrogen to ammonia. Using XAS studies at the S, Fe and Mo edge, the Hodgson group has worked to understand the electronic structure as a function of redox in this cluster. They have developed new methods to study long distances in the cluster within and outside the protein. Studies are ongoing to learn how this cluster functions during catalysis and interacts with substrates and inhibitors. Other components of the protein are also under active study.

    Additional projects include the study of iron in dioxygen activation and oxidation within the binuclear iron-containing enzyme methane monooxygenase and in cytochrome oxidase. Lab members are also investigating the role of copper in electron transport and in dioxygen activation. Other studies include the electronic structure of iron-sulfur clusters in models and enzymes.

    The research group is also focusing on using the next generation of x-ray light sources, the free electron laser. Such a light source, called the LCLS, is also located at SLAC. They are also developing new approaches using x-ray free electron laser radiation to image noncrystalline biomolecules and study chemical reactivity on ultrafast time scales.

  • Leo Hollberg

    Leo Hollberg

    Professor (Research) of Physics and of Geophysics

    BioHow can we make optimal use of quantum systems (atoms, lasers, and electronics) to test fundamental physics principles, enable precision measurements of space-time and when feasible, develop useful devices, sensors, and instruments?

    Professor Hollberg’s research objectives include high precision tests of fundamental physics as well as applications of laser physics and technology. This experimental program in laser/atomic physics focuses on high-resolution spectroscopy of laser-cooled and -trapped atoms, non-linear optical coherence effects in atoms, optical frequency combs, optical/microwave atomic clocks, and high sensitivity trace gas detection. Frequently this involves the study of laser noise and methods to circumvent measurement limitations, up to, and beyond, quantum limited optical detection. Technologies and tools utilized include frequency-stabilized lasers and chip-scale atomic devices. Based in the Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory (HEPL), this research program has strong, synergistic, collaborative connections to the Stanford Center on Position Navigation and Time (SCPNT). Research directions are inspired by experience that deeper understanding of fundamental science is critical and vital in addressing real-world problems, for example in the environment, energy, and navigation. Amazing new technologies and devices enable experiments that test fundamental principles with high precision and sometimes lead to the development of better instruments and sensors. Ultrasensitive optical detection of atoms, monitoring of trace gases, isotopes, and chemicals can impact many fields. Results from well-designed experiments teach us about the “realities” of nature, guide and inform, occasionally produce new discoveries, frequently surprise, and almost always generate new questions and perspectives.

  • Susan Holmes

    Susan Holmes

    Professor of Statistics, Emerita

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur lab has been developing tools for the analyses of complex data structures, extending work on multivariate data to structured multitable table that include graphs, networks and trees as well as categorical and continuous measurements.
    We created and support the Bioconductor package phyloseq for the analyses of microbial ecology data from the microbiome. We have specialized in developing interactive graphical visualization tools for doing reproducible research in biology.

  • Tamami Homma

    Tamami Homma

    Lecturer

    BioBachelor's Degree in piano performance (Manhattan School of Music), Master of Music Degree in performance (RAM/University of London), LRAM (Licentiate, Royal Academy of Music), ARAM (honorary Associate, RAM). Studied with Byron Janis, Herbert Stessin (Juilliard School of Music), Christopher Elton, Hamish Milne, Dominique Merlet (Conservatoire de Genève), other masterclasses or private lessons with Andras Schiff, Alfred Brendel, Christopher Hogwood, Sarah Davis Buechner, Jerome Lowenthal, Piers Lane, amongst others. Champion of the music of British composer John McCabe, she contributed the chapter on his piano works for 'Landscapes of the Mind' published by Ashgate and recorded several CDs of his works including with McCabe, one recognized as 'Editor's Choice' and others consistently receiving five stars from Gramophone Magazine and BBC Music Magazine. She has also recorded other highly rated CDs of works by Chopin, Mozart, Rawsthorne and contemporary composers for SOMM, Dutton and Metier labels. Her recording of the piano quintet version with the Vilnius Quartet was 'CD of the Week' (The Independent, UK). As collaborative pianist, she has performed complete cycles of all Beethoven works for every instrument, played for classes of Maurice Hausson (violin), John Wallace (trumpet) as a student and later performed with Mats Lidstrom, Peter Sheppard-Skaerved at the Warsaw Autumn Festival, and founded the Tate Ensemble which performed at the Aldeburgh Festival and received high praise from the New York Times for their Carnegie Debut. Upon coming to the Bay Area in 2007 she has founded the Cal Arte Ensemble and has continued to perform and solo with many orchestras but also continues to record, supports local opera companies, coaches in vocal and ensemble, adjudicates in competitions in the US and abraod, and offers private lessons (is affiliated with CMTA and Vantage Academy in Hong Kong). She has worked as vocal and ensemble coach at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and was Master Teacher at the Community School of Music & Art in Mountain View. She is most proud of her four children filling the home with their own various musical noises.