Dr. Spiegelberg joined the faculty of the Rider Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in 2008. He is also a Rider alum, having earned an MBA from the Norm Brodsky College of Business in 2020.
Dr. Spiegelberg’s research focuses on developing and using modern quantitative tools to study enzymes. In particular, this research focuses on understanding the regulation of enzymes that are involved in key metabolic pathways.
Dr. Spiegelberg is also interested in encouraging a multi-disciplinary strategy for career development. He has developed and led several extracurricular activities in this regard, including Innovation to Market, a year-long engaged learning series in which science students applied basic business principles as learned from local business leaders.
Education
- 2020 MBA, Â鶹Íø, Lawrenceville, NJ
- 2002-2006 NIH Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- 2002 PhD, Biochemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC
- 1996 BS, Biochemistry, Denison University, Granville, OH
Research Interests
The coordinated activity of enzymes is the essence of life on a molecular scale. By understanding how enzymes work and how they are regulated, we can gain important insights into cellular physiology in normal and disease states.
Currently, research in my lab is focused on enzymes involved in cellular metabolism. We are especially interested in methyltransferases, which control the transfer of carbon-containing pieces from methyl donors to other biological molecules, including amino acids and nucleotides. We have developed high throughput assays to quantitatively study betaine-homocysteine methyltransferases, which are known to play important roles in heart disease, diabetes, and several neurological disorders. We have also begun to study biochemical parameters of NSP10/16 and NSP14, two methyltransferases from SARS-CoV2 that methylate and thus protect viral mRNAs.
Students performing independent research on these or related topics gain important skills that translate to multiple kinds of jobs and further work in graduate school. Results from Dr. Spiegelberg’s lab have been published in peer reviewed journals, and undergraduate researchers have presented their work at national and local conferences.
Courses Taught
- General Chemistry (CHE120, 121, 123)
- Biochemistry I and II (BCH325, 326, 400, 430)
- Signal Transduction (BCH415)
- Medicinal Chemistry (BCH425)
- Great Ideas I and II (BHP100, 150)
- Universe and the Origins of Life (BHP215)
- Chemistry and Conflict (BHP240)
- Idea to Innovation (BHP251)
- Genetic Engineering and the Philosophy of Science (BHP309)
Research Opportunities
I welcome any student with an interest in biological molecules to discuss opportunities to perform independent research for credit or, under certain circumstances, as work-study. Typical projects involve the use of biochemical tools to produce, purify, and analyze enzymes and to systematically quantify their chemical properties under controlled conditions. I am also open to discussing your ideas regarding other biochemistry-related research projects.
I am also interested in developing interdisciplinary/collaborative research projects involving strategy and management in science-related industries.