Below is a synopsis of Levi’s academic path to TCNJ

  • Associate Professor, Chemistry, TCNJ

  • Postdoctoral Scholar, Bioinorganic Chemistry, Caltech

  • Ph.D., Inorganic Chemistry, Wayne State

  • B.S., Chemistry (ACS) with Mathematics minor, NMU

Associate Professor, 2024 - present
Assistant Professor, 2019 - 2024

The College of New Jersey

At TCNJ, the Ekanger lab is a bioinorganic research program with an emphasis on Fe coordination chemistry in aqueous biomimetic complexes. A current pursuit in the laboratory seeks to understand the unexpected Fe(III)-thiolate disproportionation reaction observed in human cysteamine dioxygenase. Using aqueous biomimetic chemistry, the lab has discovered kinetic and electrochemical trends in the disproportionation of Fe(III)-thiolate intermediates near physiologic pH.

Postdoctoral Scholar, 2016 - 2019

California Institute of Technology

While a postdoc, Levi studied iron-sulfur cluster chemistry of DNA-processing enzymes E. coli endonuclease III and S. cerevisiae DNA polymerase epsilon. Studying the iron-sulfur cluster nitrosylation of endonuclease III led to the discovery of an iron nitrosyl complex previously unreported for this enzyme and a large (~800 mV) shift in its reduction potential. Studies on DNA polymerase epsilon revealed reversible modulation of DNA polymerase activity through redox chemistry specific to its iron-sulfur cluster.

Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry, 2012 - 2016

Wayne State University

While a graduate student, Levi studied the europium(II/III) redox couple within the context of redox-active contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. These studies discovered that the europium(II/III) redox couple is an on/off redox switch for imaging tissues. A proof-of-concept result revealed the europium(II/III) redox couple can differentiate necrotic from non-necrotic tissue within a tumor.

B.S. in Chemistry (ACS) with Mathematics Minor, 2008 - 2012

Northern Michigan University

While an undergraduate student, Levi performed a variety of research experiences spanning physics (measuring naturally occurring radioactive isotopes in soil), biochemistry (studying protein-chitin interactions relevant to the arthropod cuticle), and inorganic chemistry (synthetic boron chemistry). While performing inorganic chemistry research, Levi learned synthetic techniques and characterization relevant to borane and carborane cluster chemistry.