Kerri Taylor

Education and Certifications

Certificate of Digital Photography, Columbus State University 2019

Doctorate of Philosophy in chemistry, The University of Akron 2011-2016

Research Adviser: Dr. Wiley J. Youngs

• Synthesized imidazolium salts (IS) for use as potential antitumor pharmaceuticals and UTI exfoliants. Evaluated structure activity relationship of substituted N,N’-bis(arylmethyl)imidazolium and benzimidazolium salts tested against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines NCI-H460, NCI-H1975, HCC827, and NCI-A549 cells. Enhancement of the imidazolium salts’ anti-proliferative activities were achieved through substituent variations in the different series of imidazolium salts.
• Gained experience with the synthesis of silver carbene complexes for use in anti-microbial studies and helped to optimize the synthetic procedure of SCC1.

Master of Science in chemistry, The University of Kentucky 2008-2011

Research Adviser: Dr. John E. Anthony

• Synthesized c-fused anthradithiophene quinones for the intended use as acceptor material for organic photovoltaic devices. Enhancement of these compounds was conducted through tetrafunctionalization of silylethynyl groups. Studied trends of crystal packing with synthesized derivatives. Synthesis of acenequinones was accomplished through integration of different heterocycles.
• Research focus was on integrated areas of organic chemistry and materials science.

Bachelors of Arts in chemistry, Miami University 2004-2008

Biography

Dr. Kerri Shelton Taylor, associate professor of Organic Chemistry at Columbus State University, obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry from The University of Akron and MS in Chemistry from The University of Kentucky. She is from Youngstown, Ohio and, she is the mother of two young girls. While at CSU, Dr. Taylor has supervised at least 21 undergraduate students and 3 graduate students. Of those 24 students, 75% identify as minority or under represented groups. As of 2022, I have published 8 peer reviewed manuscripts/creative endeavors.

She has a broad knowledge and varied skill set in the field of synthetic medicinal chemistry and material science, which enables her to be a significant contributor in the scientific community. Her exposure to multiple areas of chemistry, ranging from organic synthesis, drug efficacy, art restoration and material science, has led to strengthened synthetic skills and increased her chemical knowledge as an academic researcher.

She has presented at more than 30 local, regional, and national scientific conferences and received the Young Chemist Committee (YCC) Leadership Development Award, Buchi 2020 Scholar Award, and Outstanding Faculty Award at Columbus State University. Dr. Taylor has also been a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and Georgia Academy of Science (GAS). She was awarded the 2023 Faculty Research and Scholarship Award at CSU.

Academic Areas

Organic Synthesis
Medicinal Chemistry
Art Chemistry
Chemical Education
Water Chemistry
Purification Techniques
NMR Spectroscopy
Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR)
Gas Chromatograph (GC)
Mass Spectrometry (MS)
Scanning Electron Microscopy (EDS-SEM)
Online Certification (Supportive Inclusive Practices (SIP), Developing Inclusive Practices (DIP), Quality Matters)

Research Interests

• Generate a variety of imidazolium and triazolium salts for use as potential anti-tumor pharmaceuticals. Evaluated structure activity relationship of substituted N,N’-bis(arylmethyl)triazolium and benzimidazolium salts tested against breast and prostate cell lines. Enhancement of the imidazolium and triazolium salts’ anti-proliferative activities were achieved through substituent variations in the different series of the azolium salts.
• Generate a variety of benzothiazolium salts for use as potential pharmaceuticals as alternatives for ALS. Evaluated structure activity relationship of substituted N-arylmethylbenzothiazolium salts tested against HEK, U2OS and SH-SY5Y cell lines that express TDP-43 cell lines.
• Synthesize and characterize quinone-based N,N’-bis-substituted imidazolium salts to test for anti-tumor activities against select breast and prostate cancer cell lines
• Analyze and identify of the chemical components in aging paint of a 20-acre, exterior art exhibit which will be documented to help Pasaquan Preservation Society to properly identify, curate, and restore the exhibit for an extended period of time.
• Analyze and identify of the chemical components and hardware in three early 20th century physicians’ kits that were documented into chemical report to help museum properly identify, curate, and store the medical collections for an extended period of time. Preserving these kits will allow for the evaluation of the evolution of medicine.
• Design and teach undergraduate chemistry lecture and lab courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry
• Consistently involved in innovative curriculum enhancement, curriculum development, professional service, grant writing, scholarly activities, community service and chemical research.