Simona Marincean, PhD
Teaching Areas:
Chemistry (ACS certified), Master of Science in Environmental ScienceResearch Areas:
Green Chemistry, Organic ChemistryBiography and Education
Simona Marincean is an Associate Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Natural Sciences at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She earned her BS in Chemical Engineering from Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and her PhD in Organic Chemistry from Michigan State University where she studied experimentally and computationally hydridic-to-protonic hydrogen bonding under the supervision of Prof. James E. “Ned” Jackson.
She completed a postdoctoral stint at Michigan State University with Prof. Ned Jackson and Prof. Dennis Miller working on catalytic hydrogenolysis of carbohydrates and related polyols.
She joined the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2007 where her research focus is the molecular-level investigation of noncovalent interactions and their role in redox processes, particularly as they pertain to the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in health fields.
Education
Ph.D. - Physical Organic Chemistry, 2003
Michigan State University
Thesis Title: Proton Transfer in Dihydrogen Bonded Systems, Advisor: J. E. Jackson
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, 1993
Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Teaching and Research
Research
Our laboratory research focuses on molecules which are involved in redox type reactions, and are dedicated to understanding processes, which will improve human health and the environment. Current projects include:
- Riboflavin-Protein Interactions
We are particularly interested in synthesizing and characterizing novel riboflavin derivatives. In collaboration with the Benore lab, we are testing these analogs for their ability to determine riboflavin deficiency in at risk populations and to identify and characterize flavin binding proteins.
Riboflavin Detection Assay Workflow
Riboflavin Detection Plate
- Benzo[e][1,2,4]triazines for Redox Catalysis
Benzo[e][1,2,4]triazines are electron-deficient aromatic compounds with promising applications in medicinal chemistry and materials science. They’re also key precursors to Blatter radicals, known for their exceptional stability.
While Blatter radicals have been widely studied for their redox properties, their triazine precursors remain under explored. Our collaboration with Constantinides lab investigates how modifying benzo[e][1,2,4]triazines could tune their redox activity and enable electron transfer in partnership with flavin derivatives.
6-Methyl and 8-Methyl 3-Phenylbenzo[e]Triazines
Chains with hydrogen bonding
Sheets with pi-pi stacking
Teaching
Professor Marincean investigates and assesses best practices in teaching and learning organic chemistry. This research is critical with an objective to ensure that students of chemistry as well as those in related and interdisciplinary fields, such as biochemistry and pre-health, understand the significance and mechanisms of organic reactions.
We have co-developed classes and programs that appeal to students interested in medicinal chemistry and natural products. These courses allow students to learn the theory and skills of both traditional and modern methods of plant extraction and characterization and product. By incorporating cultural and historical information we created a rich learning experience for the students either in the lab or study abroad courses.
Selected Publications
Christos P. Constantinides, Syed Raza*, Fadwat Bazzi*, Nisreen Sharara*, Simona Marincean, “Synthesis and Crystal Structures of 6- and 8-Methyl-3-phenylbenzo[e][1,2,4]triazines” Acta Cryst. E 2025 (accepted).
Simona Marincean, Diana Nichols*, Rachael Schulz*, Travis Branscum*, Marilee Benore “6-(7,8-dimethyl-2,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydrobenzo[g]pteridin-10(2H)-yl)hexyl 5-((3aS,4S,6aR)-2-oxohexahydro-1H-thieno[3,4-d]imidazol-4-yl)pentanoate” Molbank 2025, 2025, M1994. DOI: 10.3390/M1994
Simona Marincean, Moira Al-Modhafir*, Daniel B. Lawson, “p-p stacking in tryptophane-lumiflavin-tyrosine complex: a model for riboflavin insertion into the riboflavin binding protein” J. Mol. Model. 2025, 31, 38. DOI: 10.1007/s00894-024-06233-3
Simona Marincean, Diana L. Nichols*, Marilee A. Benore “Riboflavin interactions with the chicken isolated carrier protein” Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2023, 96, 129529. DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129529
Amanda Esquivel, Simona Marincean, Marilee A. Benore “The effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on STEM faculty: Productivity and work-life balance
“ PLoS One 2023, 18:e0280581. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280581
Simona Marincean and Marilee A. Benore “Problem Based Learning Group Projects in an Online Format – Sequential Approach” ACS Symposium Series 2021, 1389, 45-58. DOI: 10.1021/bk-2021-1389.ch004
Simona Marincean, Steven L. Scribner “Remote Organic Chemistry Laboratories at University of Michigan-Dearborn” J. Chem. Educ. 2020, 97, 3074-3078. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00812
Charlotte Otto, Simona Marincean “Tenure-Track Position at an Undergraduate Institution-Application Package and Beyond” ACS Symposium Series 2014, 1165, 57-70, DOI: 10.1021/bk-2014-1165.ch007
Hanan Alwaseem*, Craig J. Donahue, Simona Marincean “Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Castor Oil” J. Chem. Educ. 2014, 91, 575-578. DOI: 10.1021/ed300476u
Sheila R. Smith, Simona Marincean "Vertical Integration of NMR in the Chemistry Curriculum: A Collaborative Advanced Laboratory Experiment Examining the Structure-Reactivity Relationships In Carbonyl Reduction" ACS Symposium Series, 2013, 1128, 261-274. DOI: 10.1021/bk-2013-1128.fw001
Simona Marincean, Sheila Smith, Michael Fritz*, Byung Joo Lee*, Zeinab Rizk* “NMR Studies Of Structure-Reactivity Relationships In Carbonyl Reduction: A Collaborative Advanced Laboratory Experiment” J. Chem. Educ. 2012, 89, 1591-1594, DOI:10.1021/ed3002573
Simona Marincean, Michael Fritz*, Ryan Scamp*, James E. Jackson “Mechanistic Investigations in Reduction of Alpha-Hydroxy Carbonyl Compounds by BH4-” J. Phys. Org. Chem. 2012, 25, 1186-1192. DOI:10.1002/poc.2986
Simona Marincean, Montserrat Rabago Smith, Laci Beltz, Babak Borhan “Selectivity of Labeled Bromoethylamine for Protein Labeling” J. Mol. Mod. 2012, 18, 4547-4556, DOI: 10.1007/s00894-012-1461-9
Simona Marincean, James E. Jackson “Can Hydridic-to-Protonic Hydrogen Bonds Catalyze Biological Processes?” J. Phys. Chem. A 2010, 114, 13376-13380. DOI: 10.1021/jp1050854
Simona Marincean, Lars Peereboom, Yaoyan Xi, Dennis J. Miller, James E. Jackson “Glycerol Hydrogenolysis to Propylene Glycol Under Heterogeneous Conditions”, Catal. Org. Reactions, CRC Press 2006, 427-436.
Simona Marincean, Radu Custelcean, Robin Stein, James E. Jackson “Structural Reinvestigation of Ammonium Hypophosphite: Was Dihydrogen Bonding Discovered Long Ago?”, Inorg. Chem. 2005, 44, 45-48. DOI: 10.1021/ic048657z
Simona Marincean, James E. Jackson “Quest for IR-Pumped Reactions in Dihydrogen-Bonded Complexes”, J. Phys. Chem. A2004, 108, 5521-5526. DOI: 10.1021/jp048626p