Biochemistry: Although my Ph.D. research was an organic
problem, the reactions of substituted picric acids with amines and
aromatic compounds, I quickly switched to working on projects of
biochemical interests. The many summers I spent in Ottawa were
given to research in the field of natural products. The post-doc in
Paris looked to the purification and reactions of transfer
ribonucleic acids.
Work during the four years in Strasbourg centered on the
biosynthesis of terpenoids by plants and microorganisms.
Boating: I have built three small lightweight boats, a canoe, a
kayak, and a sailboat. The kayak is my favorite, a 12-foot touring
model which I have used to explore many of Connecticut's rivers
and lakes. The sail boat is a 11-foot Marconi rigged vessel that
weighs less than 40 pounds.
Bicycling: Cycling is a great way to get away from it all and really
see the countryside. I have cycled thousands of miles in the United
States, Canada, France, and Germany.
For more sociable cycling, I travel with the Sound Cyclists Bicycle
Club.
Chemistry and Art: During the last three years, I have been
working on the development of a new course that would be of
interest to non-science majors. This course looks at basic scientific
findings and principles but in the context of the visual arts. This
course is designed with a large laboratory component, giving
students a chance to mix colors, make paint and paper, work with
metal, plastic and glass, and many other hands-on projects.
Development of this course has been aided by participation in workshops on chemistry and art in France and the United States.