Peter Larsen, Ph.D.

Faculty, CLI
Specialty: Chemistry
Phone: 507-258-8024
Fax: 507-280-2820
Email: pllarsen@umn.edu

Education

Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Kansas, 2005
B.A., Chemistry and Biology, Luther College, 2000

Background

I completed my doctorate in Bioinorganic Chemistry in 2005 followed by a post-doctoral fellowship in Germany. On returning for Germany, I took employment with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and accepted teaching hours from Rochester Community and Technical College. The development of a strong chemistry lab curriculum has drawn me to the University of Minnesota – Rochester.

My research background is in synthetic chemistry, with a focus on biologically-inspired metal ion binding sites for the activation of small molecules (O₂, S₈, NO and H₂O). These binding motifs are intended for the pursuit of catalytic function. In addition, while working at Mayo Clinic I have also developed an interest in the clinical practice of biochemical genetics.

The opportunity to be part of developing a new academic program and a new university is an incredible chance to innovate and build a strong foundation for future students.

Teaching

Education is a multi-faceted life-long engagement, not the 4 years we spend as an undergraduate. In our classes, students are trained in the formal subjects they would encounter at any rigorous academic institution; however, we seek to present our curriculum in an innovative interdisciplinary context. We do not practice science isolated from the outside world, but as part of a greater and increasingly inter-related world.

Science labs and chemistry labs in particular are intended to teach skills related to physical manipulation of chemicals and equipment; however, we do a great disservice to students if this is the extent of the lab experience. I strive to provide students with opportunities to practice the skills they have learned in their coursework and apply those skills to integrated problem-solving. It is the transition of student knowledge from the controlled academic environment to the external that is promoted as students prepare for the careers of the future. In the end, I hope to produce scientists and citizens who are prepared to encounter the new problems in a changing world with critical analysis grounded in a firm understanding of fundamentals.

Selected Publications

Abhishek Dey; Rosalie K. Hocking; Peter L. Larsen; A. S. Borovik; Keith O. Hodgson; Britt Hedman; Edward I. Solomon. “X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Studies of [(H₃buea)Fe^III-X]^n- (X = S^2-, O^2-, OH^-): Comparison of Bonding and Hydrogen Bonding in Oxo and Sulfido Complexes.” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2006, 128, 9825-9833.

Peter L. Larsen, Rajeev Gupta, and A. S. Borovik: “Chalcogens as Terminal Ligands to Iron: Synthesis and Structure of Complexes with Fe^III-S and Fe^III-Se Motifs.” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2004,126, 6522-6523.

Peter L. Larsen, Terry J. Parolin, Douglas R. Powell, Michael P. Hendrich, and A. S. Borovik: “Hydrogen Bonds around M(m-O)₂M Rhombs: Stabilizing a {Co^III(m-O)₂Co^III} complex at Room Temperature.” Angewandte Chemie Int. Ed. 2003, 42, 85-89.