Biochemistry, an academic discipline with thousands of career possibilities, has arrived at Eastern Connecticut State University. With a new science building slated to begin construction in fall 2005 and its first class of graduates this past May, the biochemistry major at Eastern is starting off with a bang.

“The program is still in its developmental stage,” said professor John Toedt, director of the biochemistry program, “but I am pleased with the progress being made. This year, we had our first graduates. With the success these graduates have been obtaining jobs or moving onto graduate school, we are confident that the program is going to be quite successful. Two students are moving on to medical school, another is going to graduate school at Dartmouth College, and others have already obtained jobs at research facilities.”

Justin Piro of Manchester is one of Eastern’s first graduates of the biochemistry program and will attend Dartmouth College this fall to study molecular and cellular biology. “I think the program was definitely worthwhile and I feel prepared to obtain work in the outside world,” said Piro.  “I am very excited to be going to Dartmouth.”

Piro has always been interested in the sciences and came to Eastern because he felt it was a “good fit.”  He was thrilled when the new major was announced and enrolled quickly in the program.  “Dr. Toedt did an excellent job of getting it up and running. I know it was a lot of work for him but he was always on top of things. Even in my personal life he was easy to talk to about all kinds of things. He has been a very positive influence in my life.”

As an undergraduate Justin Piro (left) presented a paper at the 49th annual Biophysical Society meeting in Long Beach, CA. Entitled "HU Binding to Discontinuous DNA Oligonucleotides" this paper describes his undergraduate thesis research which stemmed from independent research projects at Eastern and in Professor Ishita Mukerji's research laboratory at Wesleyan University. Also shown in the picture is Ishita Mukerji (center) and Christian Ader (right) of Wesleyan University, who assisted in the research.

Under development for more than five years, the biochemistry program is one of Eastern’s newest and most challenging majors, meeting standards set forth by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.“We have a great biology program but this major provides an outlet for students who are interested in a more quantitative approach to the biological sciences,” explained Toedt.

Biochemistry is the study of chemical compounds and processes occurring in living organisms. With new developments and current topics such as stem cell research and cloning, biochemistry is everywhere in today’s society. “Biochemistry affects everyone’s life, and as we enter the genomic era there are more questions than ever about how medicine and other tools that help our society can be advanced,” said Toedt. “The possibilities are endless, as are the questions people have concerning how these developments may affect the general public. I think it’s important for people to be aware of these advancements, whether it is stem cell research and cloning or genetically modified food that they buy at the grocery store.”

Christopher Jensen of Salem also graduated in May with a major in biochemistry, and plans to go to medical school. “I’ve always been interested in math and science,” he said. “When I arrived at Eastern I found myself liking the quantitative areas of biology so I took some biochemistry classes. I ended up loving the classes and the major was declared just in time.” Jensen feels prepared to go into the medical field and considers his education at Eastern to be first rate, “When I went for an interview for medical school, the director of the program said my biochemistry background was extremely valuable in the medical field, more so than a general background in anatomy.”

Christopher Jensen (center) and Justin Piro (right) working in the ECSU lab.

Piro and Jensen’s interest in biochemistry parallels a global focus on the biosciences, and Connecticut is right in the middle of this new and exciting field. According to “Soaring to New Heights: Connecticut Job Outlook 1998-2008,” a report published by the Connecticut Department of Labor, there is an expected job growth for biological scientists of 43.2 percent. In 2001, CURE (Connecticut United for Research Excellence) released a statement in their economics report indicating that research and development expenditures in biotechnology have grown at least 10 percent annually since 1995, evidence of a continuing demand for competent scientists. Biotechnologies are sprouting all over the globe and now Eastern Connecticut State University can help to meet the growing demands of this field of study.

According to Carmen Cid, newly appointed dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Eastern plans on expanding the biochemistry program. “The primary goal of the biochemistry program is to prepare graduates for the workplace, including those who choose to attend graduate school first. I believe the faculty in the biochemistry department are among the top in their field. I am confident that they will do an excellent job teaching our students and providing them with the necessary tools they need to be successful in life.”

To support students and faculty in their different science disciplines, Eastern has begun construction of its new science building, which is scheduled for completion in fall 2007. At that time, students in the biochemistry program and other science majors at Eastern will have state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to help them reach their full potential. “Eastern’s liberal arts mission prepares all majors to meet the needs of a rapidly changing technological world,” said Cid. “Biochemistry, keeping in line with all our science majors, is forward-thinking. The new science building will provide space and resources for all science programs to evolve to meet the scientific challenges of today’s global society.”

The new science building will be located just south of Webb Hall and will house the biology, math and computer science, environmental earth science, and physical science departments. The Center for the Study of Sustainable Energy also will take up quarters in the new building. Complete with a greenhouse and a 150-seat auditorium, the science facility will be the largest building on campus. Each department will have dedicated space, including research facilities, classrooms and faculty offices.

Eastern's proposed Science Building

With the development of the new biochemistry major, Eastern can offer its students more choices and add depth to existing disciplines. The new science building and the prospects of expanding the biochemistry program suggest a bright future for Eastern’s newest major. “I’m very happy with the program’s success thus far,” said Toedt. “Every time I see our students succeed it’s like seeing my own kids do great things.”