Faculty Profile

George K. Mwangi, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Chemistry

Dr. George Mwangi is a chemist with interests in Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for chemical sensing and separations.

In 1985, Dr. Mwangi graduated with a First Class Honors Degree in Chemistry, followed by a master's from the University of Nairobi and a PhD from the University of New Hampshire with a focus on Analytical Chemistry. He began his teaching career in 1992 at Egerton University in Kenya, spending over six years educating students. His post-doctoral work at Oklahoma State University further refined his expertise in polymer synthesis for use in molecularly imprinted indicator systems.

By 2005, Dr. Mwangi had taken up a position as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Sioux Falls, where he was promoted to Associate Professor in 2012. He has been an active member of various committees and has advised students across all academic levels. Moreover, he was appointed as the BRIN Project Liaison for the Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network of Dakota (BRIN) and led the University's BRIN research efforts at USF from 2016 to 2023.

Dr. Mwangi's educational contributions include teaching both introductory chemistry and more specialized courses in quantitative and instrumental analysis. His research interests lie at the nexus of polymer science and analytical chemistry, specifically in developing robust molecularly imprinted chemical sensors. His work involves creating polymers that can selectively bind to specific molecules like catecholamines, as well as those that can interact with metal ions or be used for separation processes in chromatography. To explore the properties and applications of these polymers, Dr. Mwangi utilizes various analytical methods, such as UV-Vis, fluorescence, atomic absorption, and IR spectroscopy, alongside microscopic techniques to examine the polymers' surface structures.

Education

  • B.S, Chemistry, University of Pune, 1985
  • M.S., Analytical Chemistry, University of Nairobi, 1990
  • Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, 2005

Courses Taught

  • CHE491 - Research in Chemistry
  • CHE332 - Quantitative Analysis
  • CHE111 - General Chemistry I
  • CHE112 - General Chemistry II
  • CHE121 - Introduction to Chemistry
  • CHE122 - Intro to Organic & Biochemistry
  • COM104 - Computer Solutions
  • CHE403 - Advanced Topics
  • SDV100 - The USF Experience
  • NSC300 - Science Colloquium
  • BIO300 - Science Literature Review

Professional Memberships

South Dakota Academy of Science

Former president of the South Dakota Academy of Science

Research

 

Dr. George Mwangi's personal research is in the area of chemical sensor based on dopamine molecular imprinted polymers. The aim of this research is to develop a chemical sensor that is selective and specific for molecules of biochemical significance like the catecholamines. Dopamine for instance is an important neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger between the nerve cells in the mammalian brain. It also plays an important role in the function of the renal, hormonal and cardiovascular systems. Therefore, the development of dopamine quantification in blood and other biological systems is very important.

The specific binding sites for dopamine will be created in polymers during the imprinting process. Molecular Imprinted polymer (MIP) microspheres will be synthesized via precipitation polymerization. The dopamine print molecule, the principal monomer, N-Isopropyl acrylamide or vinyl caprolactum and the functional monomer methacrylic acid will be dispersed in the solvent by sonication. The crosslinker, stabilizer and initiator will then be added to this mixture. The functional monomer will form a complex with the dopamine print molecule, and, following polymerization, their functional groups will be held in position by the crosslinked polymeric structure. Removal of the print molecule will reveal sites that have a molecular memory, which will allow the polymer to selectively rebind the dopamine analyte.

Scholarships and Creative Work

Lectures
  • Mt. Marty College,Yankton, S.D. 2.24.2012, Seminar, Invited Speaker on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers.
Presentations
  • “Carbobisimidazole and Ethylenediamine Derivatized Polyhydroxyethylmethacylate Polymer Microspheres Suspended in a Hydrogel for pH and Metal Ion Sensing”. George Mwangi and W. Rudolf Seitz. 9th International Meeting on Chemical Sensors in Boston, Mass. July 10, 2002.
  • “Chemical Sensors based on Swellable and Molecularly Imprinted polymers”. Kelli Westra, Chelsea Heppner, Tyler Gillen, Brett Elgersma and George Mwangi. 42nd Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Kansas City, Mo., November 7-10, 2007.
  • “Molecularly Imprinted Polymers based on Amitriptyline” Alan Sazama, Haley Gorby, George Mwangi. 44th Midwest Regional Meeting, Iowa City, Iowa, October 21 - 24, 2009.
  • “Binding Studies of Dopamine Imprinted Polymers” Alex Goffeney, Drew Goede & George Mwangi. 46th Midwest Regional Meeting, St. Louis, Mo., October 19 - 22, 2011.
  • “Synthesis, extraction and analysis of molecularly imprinted quercetin polymers, Adam Heck, Brian Schenavar & George Mwangi. 46th Midwest Regional Meeting, St. Louis, Mo., October 19 - 22, 2011.
  • “ Ethylenediamine Derivatized Polymer Microspheres Suspended in a Hydrogel for pH and Metal Ion Sensing”. George Mwangi and W. Rudolf Seitz. 30th American Chemical Society Northeast Regional Meeting in Durham, N.H. June 25, 2001.
  • Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Dopamine Analysis Elianna Isaac, Jesse Springer and George Mwangi, 50th Midwest Regional Meeting, St Joseph, MO, October 21 - 24, 2015.
  • Hunter Birozy, Bodie Murray & Dr. Mwangi Investigating Optimal Crosslinkers for Dopamine Molecularly Imprinted Chemical Sensor The University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD, August 3rd, 2023
Publications
  • Barry K. Lavine, David J. Westover, Necati Kaval, Nikhil Mirjankar,Leah Oxenford, George K. Mwangi, Swellable molecularly imprinted polyN-(N-propyl)acrylamide particles for detection of emerging organic contaminants using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, Talanta 72 (2007) 1042–1048.
  • Barry K. Lavine, George K. Mwangi, Nikhil Mirjankar, Mariya Kim, Characterization of Swellable Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Particles by Surface Plasmon resonance Spectroscopy, Applied Spectroscopy 66, 4 (2012) 440-446.
Abstracts
  • Daniel Kohler and George Mwangi. ANALYSIS OF ESSENTIAL AND HEAVY METALS IN HONEY BY ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY In Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science, University of South Dakota 2012, 91, 216.