Stefan Tsonchev
Stefan
Tsonchev
Ph.D.
Undergraduate Advisor
Chemistry
College of Arts and Sciences
(773) 442-5573
Courses Taught
CHEM 103, CHEM 311, CHEM 312
Research Interests
Professor Tsonchev’s current research is focused on self-assembly of biologically-active macromolecules such as peptide amphiphiles which assemble to form scaffolds intended for tissue regeneration. He is developing new mathematical models and algorithms to study the stability of such systems and to make possible their design based on certain desired characteristics of the final structures that they form. This work is done in collaboration with colleagues from Northwestern University and Loyola University. Another project on which he is working on involves imaging Bacteriophytochromes (Bphs) using scanning probe microscopy techniques. This project is done in collaboration with Ken Nicholson (Chemistry) and Emina Stojkovic (Biology) from NEIU. Their goal is to study the conformational changes between the light-adapted and dark-adapted states of the Bphs, which are used, for example, as light switches controlling the metabolism of bacteria. Professor Tsonchev has also done work on the statistical mechanics of polyelectrolytes and on polymer translocation through narrow pores. He has studied the dynamics of quantum dissipation and the quantum theory of confined systems.
Education

 Columbia University | Ph.D. - Chemistry

Selected Publications

F. G. Tobias, A. Gawedzka, M. S. Goldmeier, A. C. Sakols, E. A. Stojkovic, S. Tsonchev, and K.T. Nicholson, “Scanning Probe Microscopy of Bacterial Red-Light Photoreceptors”, MRS Online Proceedings Library, 2012, 1465, mrss12-1465-ss07. (doi:10.1557/opl.2012.1006)

J.W. Ciszek, L. Huang, S. Tsonchev, Y. Wang, K.R. Shull, G.C. Schatz, M.A. Ratner, and C. Mirkin, “Assembly of Nanorods into Designer Superstructures: the Role of Templating, Capillary Forces, Adhesion, and Polymer Hydration,” ACS Nano, 4, 259 (2010).

S. Tsonchev, K.L. Niece, G.C. Schatz, M.A. Ratner, and S.I. Stupp, “Phase Diagram for Assembly of Biologically-Active Peptide Amphiphiles,” J. Phys. Chem. B, 112, 441 (2008).

S. Tsonchev, R.D. Coalson, A. Liu, and T.L. Beck, “Flexible Polyelectrolyte Simulations at the Poisson Boltzmann Level: A Comparison of the Kink-Jump and the Configurational Bias Monte Carlo Methods,” J. Chem. Phys. 120, 9817 (2004).

S. Tsonchev, A. Troisi, G.C. Schatz, and M.A. Ratner, “All-Atom Numerical Studies of Zwitterionic Peptide Amphiphiles, J. Phys. Chem. B 108, 15278 (2004).

S. Tsonchev, G.C. Schatz, and M.A. Ratner, “Electrostatically-Directed Self-Assembly of Cylindrical Peptide Amphiphile Nanostructures,” J. Phys. Chem. B 108, 8817 (2004).

S. Tsonchev, A. Troisi, G.C. Schatzz, and M.A. Ratner, “On the Structure and Stability of Self-Assembled Zwitterionic Peptide Amphiphiles: A Theoretical Study,” Nano Lett 4, 427 (2004).

S. Tsonchev, G.C. Schatz, and M.A. Ratner, “Screened Multipole Electrostatic Interactions at the Debye-Hueckel Level,” Chem. Phys. Lett. 400, 221 (2004).

Selected Exhibitions

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Fernando G. Tobias, Anna Gawedzka, Max S. Goldmeier, Alexandra C. Sakols, Sarah M. Vorpahl, Emina A. Stojkovic, Kenneth T. Nicholson, and Stefan Tsonchev, “Scanning Probe Microscopy of Bacterial Red-Light Photoreceptors”, NEIU  3nd Annual Faculty Research & Creative Activities Symposium, November 2012

Assembly of Nanorods into Designer Superstructures: the Role of Templating, Capillary Forces, Adhesion, and Polymer Hydration,” 2011 Central Regional Meeting of the ACS, Indianapolis, IN, June 2011

"Theory and Modeling of Supramolecular Self-Assembly," seminar at Illinois State University, Normal, IL, April, 2011

"Biochemical and Environmental Applications of Scanning Probe Microscopy," NEIU First Faculty Research Symposium, NEIU, November 2010

"Micro and Nanoscale Self-Assembly: Theory and Modeling," 41st Midwest Theoretical Chemistry Conference in Carbondale, Illinois, May 2009

"Theory and Modeling of Supramolecular Self-Assembly", 39th Midwest Theoretical Chemistry Conference, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, June 2007

Students from the group have presented at multiple venues, such as the SACNAS National and Regional Conferences, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Conference in Chicago Heights, IL, February 2010, SCSE Summer Research Symposia at NEIU, Twentieth Annual Illinois Student Research Conference in Chicago, April 2009, ISP Undergraduate Symposium for Women Students at DePaul University in March, 2010, the Annual NEIU Student Research Symposia, and others. 

BBH 218E
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

(773) 442-5573
Office Hours
FALL SABBATICAL
Main Campus