National Science Foundation Awards Enrique Peacock-Lopez $200,000 for Research on Chemical and Bioch

12:00AM / Thursday, November 02, 2006Print Story | Email Story

The National Science Foundation has awarded Williams College a $200,000 grant in support of research by chair and Professor of Chemistry Enrique Peacock-LÃ³pez. His project, titled A Dynamical Approach to Chemical and Biochemical Mechanisms, is a continuation of research which examines the molecular bases of chemical, biochemical, and physiological mechanisms. Peacock-LÃ³pez's research has allowed him to propose models and explanations for temporal and chaotic oscillation in certain metabolite concentrations, but he aims to further develop his understanding of chemical and biochemical mechanisms on surfaces. "In the case of cross-catalytic mechanisms, we want to consider the dynamics of competitive systems and mutualistic hypercycles," Peacock-LÃ³pez said in a project summary for the grant. In addition, the project will encompass study of incompletely spliced mRNA in its regulated transport across the nuclear membrane. Alongside Assistant Professor of Biology Manuel Morales, Peacock-LÃ³pez will also look into mutualism, species competition, and coexistence. Peacock-LÃ³pez has plenty of work to do, but three years to tackle it. From 2006-08, the award money will be distributed in three installments from the NSF. This is the fourth NSF grant that Peacock-LÃ³pez has received from the NSF; an earlier grant was received in 2002. Peacock-LÃ³pez joined the chemistry department at Williams College in 1988. He specializes in physical chemistry and this year teaches "Physical Chemistry: Structure and Dynamics" and "Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics." He makes it a priority to include his students in research and the resulting reports. This July, with coauthor Kathleen Beutel '06, he published Chemical Oscillations and Turing Patterns in a generalized two-variable model of chemical self-replication in the Journal of Chemical Physics, which was selected by the virtual Journal of Biological Physics Research to appear in their web site. Another article co-written by the professor and student, "Chemical Oscillations: Two-variable Chemical Models" is in press in the journal Chemical Educator. Peacock-LÃ³pez has published before in Chemical Educator, as well as in Journal of Theoretical Biology, Biophysical Chemistry, Physical Review, and Physics Letters. His research interests focus on gaining a better understanding of cellular regulation by means of mechanistic dynamical modeling. He has examined triple-stranded DNA and self-replicating ribozymes as well as hormone and HIV 1-Rev regulation. He is also interested in nonequilibrium thermodynamics of chemical reaction in condensed phase. He earned his bachelor's degree from Universidad Nacional AutÃ³noma de MÃ©xico in 1974 and his Ph.D. from the University of California San Diego at La Jolla in 1982. Before coming to Williams, he taught at the University of California, San Diego, and the University of California, Davis.

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St. Stan's Students Spread Holiday Cheer at Williamstown Commons

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
12:50PM / Sunday, December 21, 2025

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Students from St. Stanislaus Kostka School in Adams brought the holiday spirit to Williamstown Commons on Thursday, delivering handmade Christmas cards and leading residents in a community caroling session.

"It honestly means the world to us because it means the world to them," said nursing home Administrator Alex Fox on Thursday morning. "This made their days. This could have even made their weeks. It could have made their Christmas, seeing the children and interacting with the community."

Teacher Kate Mendonca said this is the first year her class has visited the facility, noting that the initiative was driven entirely by the students.

"This came from the kids. They said they wanted to create something and give back," Mendonca said. "We want our students involved in the community instead of just reading from a religion book."

Preparation for the event began in early December, with students crafting bells to accompany their singing. The handmade cards were completed last week.

"It's important for them to know that it's not just about them during Christmas," Mendonca said. "It's about everyone, for sure. I hope that they know they really helped a lot of people today and hopefully it brought joy to the residents here."

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