Draft:Alexander Greer

Alexander Greer is an American professor of organic chemistry at Brooklyn College, affiliated with the City University of New York (CUNY). His academic focus encompasses a spectrum of photochemistry, singlet oxygen reactions, peroxy intermediates, and the utilization of photodynamic therapy. Leading a research group dedicated to improving the understanding of these areas, Professor Greer is engaged in addressing the fundamental challenges posed by photochemical research, with an emphasis on its implications for latent effects in phototherapy. The group seeks to elucidate complex photochemical processes and to provide detailed mechanistic insights into reactive oxygen species involved in photooxidation reactions.

Building upon his extensive work in photochemistry and photodynamic therapy, Professor Greer has also delved deeply into the study of 'after light effects' in cellular processes, a key area within photobiology. His research has been instrumental in elucidating the process of 'singlet oxygen priming,' where singlet oxygen, a reactive oxygen species, initiates a series of cellular reactions. This research is critical for understanding the underlying mechanisms of phototoxicity, a significant concern in phototherapy. Professor Greer's exploration into the 'downstream dark effects' that result from phototoxicity has revealed how initial light exposure can continue to influence cellular behavior long after the light source is removed. These insights have not only advanced the understanding of light-induced cellular mechanisms but also opened potential avenues for new therapeutic strategies that manipulate these light-initiated processes. His contributions in these areas underscore the complex interplay between light and biological systems, and highlight the significance of photobiology in advancing scientific knowledge.

Professor Greer's lab has contributed valuable experimental and theoretical information to the literature, with topics including organic synthesis, time response spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT), ovarian cancer cell eradication, and periodontal treatment.

Early life and education
Alexander Christian Greer was born in Victorville, California at George Air Force Base in 1967. He received his B.S. from CSU Chico, where he co-founded the school's triathlon team. Following this, he attended CSULB, obtaining his M.S. in 1993. He received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Wyoming in 1996, for research that he conducted in the laboratory of his advisor, Edward Clennan. Professor Greer completed his postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA with Christopher Foote.

Awards and achievements
Awards


 * Sara Jane Rhodes Dissertation Award, University of Wyoming, 1996.
 * Photocite B Award: American Society for Photobiology, 2020. Awarded for the original research article in Photochemistry and Photobiology published within four years that received the most hetero-citations. Recipients are determined using data supplied by Wiley-Blackwell, Inc.
 * School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences Research Award, Brooklyn College, 2023.

Leadership


 * Past-President, American Society for Photobiology, 2022-2024
 * President, American Society for Photobiology, 2020-2022
 * President-elect, American Society for Photobiology, 2018-2020
 * Council Member, American Society for Photobiology, 2012-2016

Memberships


 * Member, [American Chemical Society](https://www.acs.org/)
 * Member, [American Society for Photobiology](https://photobiology.org/)
 * Member, [European Society for Photobiology](https://www.photobiology.eu/)
 * Member, [Inter-American Photochemical Society](https://i-aps.org/)

Business Venture


 * Co-founder, [SingletO2 Therapeutics LLC](https://www.singleto2.com/)

Notable Students Mentored
 * 2011-2013: Mentored Benjamin Rudshteyn, winner of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.
 * Orrette Wauchope: Pursued Ph.D. studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, postdoctoral research with Larry Marnett at Vanderbilt University; currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Sciences, Baruch College, CUNY as of Fall 2017.
 * Edyta M. Brzostowska: Postdoctoral research with Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffmann at Cornell University; currently a Professor in the Department of Natural Sciences, Baruch College, CUNY.
 * Adaickapillai Mahendran: Postdoctoral research with National Academy of Sciences Member Ronald Breslow at Columbia University; currently an Assistant Professor at California State University, Pomona.
 * Matibur Zamadar: Postdoctoral research with National Academy of Sciences Member Joseph Michl at the University of Colorado; currently an Associate Professor and Graduate Advisor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephen F. Austin State University.
 * Alvaro Castillo: Postdoctoral research with Joseph Bozzelli at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT); currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Elmhurst University.

Works
Selected Papers


 * L. Lapoot; C. Wang; S. Matikonda; M. J. Schnermann; A. Greer. "Bluer Phototruncation: Retro-Diels-Alder of Heptamethine Cyanine to Trimethine Cyanine through an Allene Hydroperoxide Intermediate." J. Org. Chem., 2023, 88, 17430-17437.
 * A. M. Durantini; L. Lapoot; S. Jabeen; G. Ghosh; J. Bipu; S. Essang; B. C. Singh; A. Greer. "Tuning the 1O2 Oxidation of a Phenol at the Air/Solid Interface of a Nanoparticle: Hydrophobic Surface Increases Oxophilicity." Langmuir, 2023, 39, 11134-11144.
 * M. S. Baptista; J. Cadet; A. Greer; A. H. Thomas. "Practical Aspects in the Study of Biological Photosensitization Including Reaction Mechanisms and Product Analyses: A Do’s and Don’ts Guide." Photochem. Photobiol., 2023, 99, 313-334.
 * C. C. Tonon; S. Ashraf; J. Q. Alburquerque; A. Nara de Sousa Rastelli; T. Hasan; A. M. Lyons; A. Greer. "Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation Using Topical and Superhydrophobic Sensitizer Techniques: A Perspective from Diffusion in Biofilms." Photochem. Photobiol., 2021, 97, 1266-1277.
 * M. S. Baptista; J. Cadet; A. Greer; A. H. Thomas. "Photosensitization Reactions of Biomolecules: Definition, Targets, and Mechanisms." Photochem. Photobiol., 2021, 97, 1456-1483.
 * M. S. Baptista; J. Cadet; P. Di Mascio; A. A. Ghogare; A. Greer; M. R. Hamblin; C. Lorente; S. C. Nunez; M. S. Ribeiro; A. H. Thomas; M. Vignoni; T. M. Yoshimura. "Type I and II Photosensitized Oxidation Reactions: Guidelines and Mechanistic Pathways." Photochem. Photobiol., 2017, 93, 912-919.
 * A. A. Ghogare; A. Greer. "Using Singlet Oxygen to Synthesize Natural Products and Drugs." Chem. Rev., 2016, 116, 9994-10034.

Books


 * Greer, A. The Chemistry of Peroxides, Volume 3. John Wiley & Sons, 2014.
 * Greer, A. Polynitrogen and Nitrogen-rich Species. John Wiley & Sons, 2020.

Service

 * From 2020 to 2022, served as President of the American Society for Photobiology.
 * Since 2009, has been an Associate Editor for the journal Photochemistry and Photobiology.
 * Co-Chair of the Committee of Concerned Scientists since 2011. Notably, the CCS has included several Nobel Prize winners among its members.