About Dr. D

So let’s answer the question why elementsulfur?

Herzlich willkommen! Or, simply, welcome.

I’m Dr. Drake, and you might be wondering why elementsulfur.com.

Well, I’m a chemistry professor who’s just as passionate about teaching as I am about research. My fascination with sulfur began back in my graduate school days, and it’s stuck with me ever since. Sulfur is a key player in the molecule glutathione (pictured below), a tripeptide made of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. What makes glutathione so special is cysteine, which contains sulfur – an element that gives this tiny molecule its unique powers.

Imagine your body is a superhero headquarters. Every day, your cells face “bad guys” called free radicals (these are harmful molecules). Free radicals try to damage your cells, kind of like how rust eats away at metal. This can lead to problems like diseases or cancer if they aren’t stopped.

But your body has a superhero of its own, Glutathione, or GSH for short! Glutathione is like a big, strong shield that protects your cells from these free radicals. It also helps clean up harmful chemicals (like a janitor for your cells). The sulfur in glutathione makes it super powerful, like giving your shield an indestructible edge.

In the figure, you see how free radicals (those little circles with symbols) and other harmful stuff can lead to something called ROS (reactive oxygen species). ROS are like the villains teaming up to cause trouble. If too much ROS builds up, it can lead to cancer or damage to your body.

But don’t worry, glutathione and antioxidants (like those from plants such as artemisinin) fight back! They neutralize the bad guys, keeping your body safe and balanced.So, sulfur isn’t just a boring element. It’s like the secret weapon that makes your cells’ superhero shield work, helping to protect and clean up the superhero headquarters inside you!

When I’m not digging into molecules, my days are spent in classrooms, labs, or occasionally hunched over tea leaves search for artemisinin – my current research focus. Each space brings something different to the table, whether it’s helping students navigate a tricky reaction, designing ways to make chemistry less intimidating, or watching a mentee’s confidence grow. I’m always looking for what’s next.

Teaching, for me, is all about collaboration. My courses aim to build a solid foundation, but I always leave room for curiosity and creativity (and sometimes the unexpected questions that send us all back to the periodic table). Beyond the classroom, I work closely with undergraduate researchers, particularly through LSAMP, a program that gave me my own start as a student.

Outside of school

When I’m not immersed in molecules, you’ll find me exploring digital worlds. I’m an adventurer in Elder Scrolls Online, wandering through Tamriel’s landscapes and lore, and a wanderer in Fallout, finding meaning – and sometimes mayhem – in the post-apocalypse. My creative side also shines in city-building. My latest project, Riverbend, is a sprawling metropolis brought to life in Cities: Skylines II, where I get to balance infrastructure with imagination.

Feel free to use this site as a resource for your own successes, whether you’re tackling tricky chemistry concepts or just looking for some guidance. And if you ever have a question or just want to say hi, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thanks for stopping by – I’m glad you’re here.

~ Dr. Drake