Debbie Catharina Crans

Born: 1955

Country of Birth: Denmark

Nationality: Danish-American

Ethnicity: White

Harvard University Ph.D. Organic Chemistry 1985; University of Copenhagen B.S. Organic 1978; UCLA Postdoctoral work 1985-86

""Specifically, my interests are in the areas of biological and fundamental chemistries with special emphasis on inorganic and organic chemistry. Currently we are involved in problems related to the mode of action of drugs for diseases such as tuberculosis, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer and these studies often require synthesis and preparatory chemistry. We have interests in a range of different drugs including organic drugs, and transition metal based drugs and understanding their bioprocessing. Currently my group and I are particularly interested in menaquinone, pyrazinamide, metformin, platinum and vanadium derivatives, and characterizing their chemistries. Studies of lipid systems and microemulsion environments help us understand how drugs and metabolites interact and penetrate lipid interfaces. Our solution studies are carried out using 1D and non-routine 2D NMR spectroscopies, EPR, UV-vis, IR spectroscopy as well as novel time-resolved methods and extreme ultraviolet microscopy and mass spectral imaging. As life-scientists our studies with vanadium exploit new types of chemistries in biological systems ranging from isolated proteins to cell culture to plants to animals and human beings. We also study the effects of metal ions on signal transduction and potential application in immunotherapy and are interested in drug formulation and delivery." (cranslab.colostate.edu/wp-content); “Receiving this recognition is so special and particularly in a field like mine where often there are very few women,” says Crans. “I have long been recognized worldwide for my research and have contributed to developing the field of metals in medicine and young scientists in chemistry; however, being honored on the home front at CSU with the University Distinguished Professor award is a dream come true.” (elements.colostate.edu); “I feel that scientists are today’s explorers because we have been everywhere on earth – but in science, we are still exploring new territories.” (elements.colostate.edu); “My dream is that our studies will make a difference and ultimately will help us understand and cure diseases,” (elements.colostate.edu); "

— Debbie Catharina Crans

Field of Study: Organic Chemistry

Institution/Corporation: University of California Los Angeles; Colorado State University

Degrees & Memberships: Member: Royal Society Fellow (2016), AAAS Fellow (2014), ACS Fellow (2009), 1993-96 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow, 2015 Fellow of the Faculty Institute for Inclusive Excellence, CSU; Society for Bioinorganic Chemists, International EPR (ESR) Society, Society for Vanadium Chemists

Awards: 2019 ACS Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Inorganic Chemistry; 2015 Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award; 2012 Lectureship Award, Japanese Coordination Chemistry Society; 2004 Vanadis Award from the International Vanadium Symposium in Szeged; 2000 Japan Society of Promotion of Science Award; 2000 Alexander Humboldt Senior Research awardee; 2017 ChemLuminary Awards Young Chemists Committee; 1994 Alberta Heritage Foundation Award; 1990-1992 Eli Lilly Young Investigator Award; 1989-1994 National Institutes of Health FIRST Award; 2020 Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences; 2020 Violet Diller Award for Professional Excellence, Iota Sigma Pi Womens Honors Society; 2019 Office for Undergraduate Research and Artistry Award, CSU; 2017 Vice President for Research Interdisciplinary Scholarship Award (Individual award, CSU); 2016 Dalton Discussions International Team Award (5x5x5); 2011 Best Teacher Award, Alumni Association, Colorado State University; 2011 American Chemical Society Colorado Section Award; 2009 American Chemical Society Fellow (Inaugural Awardee); 2005 CSU Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award; 2003 Margaret Hazaleus Award, Colorado State University; 2001 Japan Society of Promotion of Science Fellowship; 1993-96 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow Award; 1986-1987 American Heart Junior Fellowship Spring, 1980 Fellowship awarded by the Egmond H. Petersens Fund; 1979-1980 Scholarstipendium, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; 1976-1977 Exchange Student Fellowship, Washington State University; 2015 CNS Professor Laureate Award; 2022 University Distinguished Professor, CSU

Achievements: known for her work on the role of vanadium in biological systems, especially the effects of its compounds on diabetes; at Harvard worked on enzyme-catalyzed phosphorylation reactions, using glycerol kinase to synthesize chiral analogs of glycerol; at UCLA studying the mechanistic enzymology of the F1 subunit of ATP synthase from chloroplasts and beef heart; has worked as senior editor several books on vanadium; has been associate editor for the New Journal of Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, the Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry and Coordination Chemistry Reviews;