Environment and Interactions: Importance in Biocatalysis and Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity in STEM

Monday, Nov. 3, 1-2 p.m.

CSF-1302

Hello Everyone,

You are warmly invited to attend the upcoming seminar on Monday, November 3, 2025. Please find the details below.

Environment and Interactions: Importance in Biocatalysis and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) in STEM

Dr. James W. Gauld

Department of Chemistry

Memorial University of Newfoundland

November 3rd, 2025

1:00-2:00 p.m.

CSF-1302

The direct link for the meeting is:

https://mun.webex.com/mun/j.php?MTID=mccbaab4301f8729f19c3b6f86e426bf4

Abstract

Catalysis is critical for our current and future way of lives. Indeed, it is central to the economic viability of many manufacturing processes and the development of new materials or compounds. Biological catalysts, in particular enzymes, have long been of tremendous interest for their potential industrial applications, the health and medical benefits to be gained, and the fundamental insights they can provide into chemical processes including evolution. While experiment has and continues to make great strides in increasing our understanding of enzymes, many aspects of their properties and chemistry remain difficult to study. Now, however, with the ever-increasing power of computers coupled with developments in computational methods, we are able to accurately and reliably model the properties, mechanisms, and interactions of enzymes with other important biomolecules or therapeutics. In this talk, I will touch upon how I got into catalysis with some examples from my computational enzymology research group into the origins and nature of biocatalysis. In addition, we will talk about the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ in the physical sciences and share what we can perhaps do to make STEM more inclusive.

Thank you,

Presented by Department of Biochemistry

Event Listing 2025-11-03 13:00:00 2025-11-03 14:00:00 America/St_Johns Environment and Interactions: Importance in Biocatalysis and Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity in STEM Hello Everyone, You are warmly invited to attend the upcoming seminar on Monday, November 3, 2025. Please find the details below. Environment and Interactions: Importance in Biocatalysis and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) in STEM Dr. James W. Gauld Department of Chemistry Memorial University of Newfoundland November 3rd, 2025 1:00-2:00 p.m. CSF-1302 The direct link for the meeting is: https://mun.webex.com/mun/j.php?MTID=mccbaab4301f8729f19c3b6f86e426bf4 Abstract Catalysis is critical for our current and future way of lives. Indeed, it is central to the economic viability of many manufacturing processes and the development of new materials or compounds. Biological catalysts, in particular enzymes, have long been of tremendous interest for their potential industrial applications, the health and medical benefits to be gained, and the fundamental insights they can provide into chemical processes including evolution. While experiment has and continues to make great strides in increasing our understanding of enzymes, many aspects of their properties and chemistry remain difficult to study. Now, however, with the ever-increasing power of computers coupled with developments in computational methods, we are able to accurately and reliably model the properties, mechanisms, and interactions of enzymes with other important biomolecules or therapeutics. In this talk, I will touch upon how I got into catalysis with some examples from my computational enzymology research group into the origins and nature of biocatalysis. In addition, we will talk about the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ in the physical sciences and share what we can perhaps do to make STEM more inclusive. Thank you, CSF-1302 Department of Biochemistry