John E. Hofferberth joined Kenyon's faculty in 2005 as an organic chemist whose research interests include the synthesis of natural products, organic chemistry methodology and chemical ecology. He regularly teaches courses in introductory chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry, and manages an active research program that includes Kenyon students as collaborative partners. A longtime advocate of inclusive teaching, Hofferberth continues to explore student-centered approaches in his courses and support his colleagues on the implementation of these pedagogies. He also directs Kenyon’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute "Inclusive Excellence" Grant, awarded in 2017, which aims to transform institutional structures and faculty practices to ensure that the Natural Science Division welcomes, encourages and supports all Kenyon students interested in STEM.
Organic chemistry, biochemistry and chemical ecology.
2002 — Doctor of Philosophy from The Ohio State University
1996 — Bachelor of Science from Miami University Oxford
This course provides a thorough introduction to the fundamental concepts, theories, and methodologies of chemistry. Topics may include stoichiometry, theories of molecular structure and bonding, the periodic table, acid-base chemistry, chemical equilibria and thermodynamics. This course provides a basis for the further study of chemistry. No prerequiste. Offered every fall semester.
This lecture-discussion course continues the introductory chemistry sequence started in CHEM 121. We will explore the chemical principles of molecular structure, bonding, reactivity, electrochemistry, kinetics and intermolecular forces. Prerequisite: CHEM 121 or 122. Offered every spring semester.\n\nBiophysical and Medicinal Chemistry section\nChemical principles are explored in the context of biomolecules and molecular approaches to medicine.\n\nCurrent Topics in Chemistry section\nChemistry principles are explored in the context of current issues in the study or application of chemistry. Topics include sustainability, molecular neuroscience, environmental chemistry, biomedical technology and renewable energy.
This lecture course offers a study of the chemical and physical properties of organic compounds. Theoretical principles are developed with particular emphasis on molecular structure and reaction mechanisms. The descriptive aspects of organic chemistry include strategies for synthesis and the study of compounds of biochemical interest. Prerequiste: grade of C+ or higher in CHEM 122 and completion of CHEM 123 or 126 or permission of department chair. Offered every spring semester.
This course is a continuation of CHEM 231. This lecture course offers a study of the chemical and physical properties of organic compounds. Theoretical principles are developed with particular emphasis on molecular structure and reaction mechanisms. The descriptive aspects of organic chemistry include strategies for synthesis and the study of compounds of biochemical interest. Prerequisite: CHEM 231. Offered every fall semester.
This laboratory course introduces fundamental methods in organic chemistry research and complements the topics covered in the lecture course, CHEM 231. This is achieved by carrying out experiments and research projects involving topics such as isolation of a natural product, oxidation and reduction reactions and reactions of alkenes. The techniques include liquid extraction, distillation, recrystallization and thin layer and gas chromatography. Compounds are identified and assessed for purity by melting point determination, refractometry, gas chromatography and infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Appropriate record keeping on laboratory notebooks and writing laboratory reports is emphasized. Corequisite: CHEM 231. Offered every spring semester.
This laboratory course will extend and apply the techniques developed in CHEM 233 to more advanced experiments in organic synthesis including open-ended experiments derived from current research projects. A particular emphasis will be placed on using chemistry databases, experimental design and planning, laboratory notebooks and record keeping, analytical and preparative chromatography, advanced NMR techniques (2-D) and writing laboratory reports. Upon successful completion of the two-course organic chemistry lab sequence (CHEM 233/234), students will have the skills needed to thrive in a synthetic organic chemistry research laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 233. Corequisite: CHEM 232. Offered every fall semester.
This course is a study of the structure and function of biologically important compounds. Topics include proteins, enzymes, intermediary metabolism and electron transport with emphasis on thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of biochemical systems. Prerequisite: CHEM 232. Offered every spring semester.
Section 01 (.25 unit): Students engage in independent research under the direction of a faculty mentor. The time requirement is at least three hours in lab per week. Students will learn to search literature and give professional presentations. This course also provides an introduction to scientific writing. More details can be obtained from the department chair. Permission of instructor required. Offered every semester.\n\nSection 02 (.5 unit): This section is a prerequisite to CHEM 497 and 498. The time commitment is six to eight hours per week in lab. Students will learn to search literature and give professional presentations as well as to write scientifically. More details can be obtained from the department chair. Permission of instructor required. Offered every semester.
Individual study in chemistry is intended to supplement, not take the place of, coursework. For that reason, such study cannot be used to fulfill requirements for the major or minor. To enroll in an individual study, a student must identify a member of the chemistry department willing to direct the project and obtain the approval of the department chair. At a minimum, the department expects a student to meet regularly with his or her instructor for at least one hour per week. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the established deadline.
The emphasis is on independent research in collaboration with a faculty mentor, culminating with a thesis that is defended orally to an outside examiner. See department chair or website for full description. Permission of instructor and department chair required. Prerequisite: GPA of at least 3.2, enrollment in Section 02 of CHEM 375 or CHEM 376.
The emphasis is on independent research in collaboration with a faculty mentor, culminating with a thesis that is defended orally to an outside examiner. See department chair or website for full description. Permission of instructor and department chair required. Prerequisite: GPA of at least 3.2, enrollment in Section 02 of CHEM 375 or CHEM 376.
“Interference of chemical defence and sexual communication can shape the evolution of chemical signals” Pfeiffer, L.; Ruther, J.; Hofferberth, J.; Stökl, J. Scientific Reports 2018, 8:321 (DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-18376-w)
“The post-mating behavioral switch in the pheromone response of Nasonia vitripennis females is triggered by dopamine and can be reversed by learning” Lenschow, M.; Cordel. M.; Pokorny, P.; Mair, M.; Hofferberth, J.; Ruther, J. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2018, 12:14 (DOI: 10:3389/fnbeh.2018.00014)
“Sublethal doses of imidacloprid disrupt sexual communication and host finding in a parasitoid wasp” Tappert, L.; Pokorny, T.; Hofferberth, J.; Ruther, J.; Scientific Reports 2017, 7:42756 (DOI:10.1038/srep42756)
“Epimerisation of chiral hydroxylactones by short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases accounts for sex pheromone evolution in Nasonia” Ruther, J.; Hagström, Å.K.; Brandstetter, B.; Hofferberth, J.; Bruckmann, A.; Semmelmann, F.; Fink, M.; Lowack, H.; Laberer, S.; Niehuis, O.; Deutzmann, R.; Löfstedt, C.; Sterener, R. Scientific Reports 2016, 6:34697 (DOI: 10.1038/srep34697 1)
“Drosophila Avoids Parasitoids by Sensing Their Semiochemicals via a Dedicated Olfactory Circuit” Ebrahim, S.A.M.; Dweck, H.K.M; Stoekl, J.; Hofferberth, J.E.; Trona, F.; Weniger, K.; Rybak, J.; Seki, Y.; Stensmyr, M.C. Sachse, S.; Hansson, B.S.; Knaden, M. PLOS Biology 2015 (DOI:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002318)
“Drosophila Avoids Parasitoids by Sensing Their Semiochemicals via a Dedicated Olfactory Circuit” Ebrahim, S.A.M.; Dweck, H.K.M; Stoekl, J.; Hofferberth, J.E.; Trona, F.; Weniger, K.; Rybak, J.; Seki, Y.; Stensmyr, M.C. Sachse, S.; Hansson, B.S.; Knaden, M. PLOS Biology 2015 (DOI:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002318)
"Varying importance of cuticular hydrocarbons and iridoids in the species-specific mate recognition pheromones of three closely related Leptopilina species" Weiss, I; Hofferberth, J.; Ruther, J; Stokl, J. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 2015, 3, Article 19 (DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2015.00019)
"A nonspecific defensive compound evolves into a competition-avoidance cue and a female sex pheromone" Weiss, I; Rössler, T.; Hofferberth, J.; Brummer, M.; Ruther, J.; Stökl, J. Nature Communications 2013, 4, 2767 (DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3767)
"Divergent Diastereoselective Synthesis of Iridomyrmecin, Isoiridomyrmecin, Teucrimulactone, and Dolicholactone from Citronellol" Fischman, C.*; Adler, S.*; Hofferberth, J. Journal of Organic Chemistry 2013, 78, 7318-7323 (DOI: 10.1021/jo400884g)
"Stereoselective Chemical Defense in the Drosophila Parasitoid Leptopilina heterotoma is Mediated by (-)-Iridomyrmecin and (+)-Isoiridomyrmecin" Stokl, J.; Hofferberth, J.; Pritschet, M.; Brummer, M.; Ruther, J. Journal of Chemical Ecology 2012, 38, 331-339 (DOI:10.1007/s10886-012-0103-0)
"A Divergent Approach to the Diastereoselective Synthesis of Several Ant-Associated Iridoids" Beckett, J. S.*; Beckett, J. D.*; Hofferberth, J.E. Organic Letters 2010, 12(7); 1408-1411 (DOI:10.1021/ol100077z)