Dr. Michael Serra

Dr. Michael Serra

Associate Professor

Chemical & Biological Sciences

Ward Beecher Hall 5033

phone: (330) 941-3667

maserra@ysu.edu

Research Interests

Specific oxidative damage to proteins caused by metal catalyzed oxidation systems. In particular I am interested in investigating the relationship between levels of protein structure on the site-specific nature of the oxidative damage.

Teaching Interests

I teach both undergraduate and graduate level biochemistry courses. I also teach the introductory biochemistry lab and the advanced biochemistry lab. In addition, I teach allied health chemistry.

• Education

  • 1990

    Ph D, Biochemistry

    Iowa State University, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

    Dissertation/Thesis Title — "5Å resolution crystal structure of adenylosuccinate synthetase from Escherichia coli, Advisor: Dr. Richard Honzatko"

  • 1984

    BS, Biology

    Adrian College

  • 1984

    BA, Mathematics

    Adrian College

• Awards and Honors

  • 2020

    Youngstown State University

    Distinguished Professor for Service

    Every year YSU recognizes outstanding faculty in three areas: teaching, scholarship, and servcie. I was given the award for service in Spring 2020

  • 2009

    Youngstown State University

    2008 - 2009 Faculty Improvement Leave

    Faculty Improvement Leave, “Cataractogenesis and CGL: A free radical connection”, awarded for 2008 – 2009 academic year

  • 2004

    Youngstown State University

    2004 - 2005 Sabbatical

    Sabbatical granted for the 2004 -2005 academic year. Purpose: learn techniques of mass spec at Cleveland State University.

  • 2003

    Youngstown State University

    2003 - 2004 Research Professorship

    Research Professorship, “Using Mutants to Investigate the Pattern of Site-Specific Oxidation and its Dependence on Protein Structure”, granted for the 2003 – 2004 academic year.

  • 2002

    Youngstown State University

    2002 - 2003 Research Professorship

    Research Professorship, “Determining the Relationship Between Protein Structure and Site-Specific Damage by Reactive Oxygen Species”, granted for 2002-2003 academic year.

  • 2000

    Youngstown State University

    2000 - 2001 Research Professorship

    “Separation and Structural Determination of Oxidized Lysozyme: Insights Into Site-Specific Damage”, 2000 – 2001 Research Professorship

• Intellectual Contributions

  • 2014

    "Chemistry 1505L: General Chemistry Laboratory for the Allied Health Sciences"

    M. Serra

    Kendall/Hunt Publishers, issue Second Edition Revised, p. 185

  • 2008

    "Chemistry 1505L: General Chemistry Laboratory for the Allied Health Sciences"

    M. Serra

    Kendall/Hunt Publishers, issue Second Edition Revised, p. 185

  • 2006

    "Chemistry 1505L: General Chemistry Laboratory for the Allied Health Sciences"

    M. Serra

    Kendall/Hunt Publishers, issue Second Edition, p. 185

  • 2004

    "Chemistry 1505L: General Chemistry Laboratory for the Allied Health Sciences"

    M. Serra

    Kendall/Hunt Publishers, issue First Edition Revised, p. 169

  • 2002

    "Chemistry 1505L: General Chemistry Laboratory for the Allied Health Sciences"

    M. Serra

    Kendall/Hunt Publishers, issue First Edition, p. 148

• Professional Service

  • 2021 - present

    Program Coordinator
    U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad

  • 2010 - 2010

    Officer, President/Elect/Past
    Penn-Ohio Border section of the ACS

  • 2006 - 2019

    Program Coordinator
    U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad

  • 1998 - 2024

    Officer, Treasurer
    Penn-Ohio Border Section of the American Chemical Society

• Public Service

  • Unknown

    Judge
    Mercy Health Youngstown Regional Research Day

  • 2024 - 2024

    Judge
    2024 Virtual State Science Day

  • 2024 - 2024

    Judge
    Ohio Academy of Science

  • Unknown

    Organizer
    Director, District 15, Lake-to-River Science Day

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    OH Wow Children's Museum Silly Science Sunday

  • Unknown

    Judge
    Mercy Health Youngstown Regional Research Day

  • Unknown

    Organizer
    Director, District 15, Lake-to-River Science Day

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Weblo Troop 1

  • Unknown

    Judge
    Mercy Health Youngstown Regional Research Day

  • Unknown

    Organizer
    Director, District 15, Lake-to-River Science Day

  • Unknown

    Judge
    St. Charles School Science Fair

  • 2021 - 2021

    Judge
    Virtual Mercy Health Youngstown Regional Research Day

  • 2021 - 2021

    Judge
    Virtual District Science Day

  • 2021 - 2021

    Organizer
    Director, District 15, Lake-to-River Science Day

  • Unknown

    Judge
    2020 Holy Family School Local Science Fair

  • Unknown

    Organizer
    Director, District 15, Lake-to-River Science Day

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    OH Wow Children's Museum Silly Science Sunday

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Federal Frenzy

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Hubbard STEAM Fest

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Scout Troop 25

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    YSU tent at the Canfield Fair

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Rich Center for Autism

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Warren J.F. Kennedy Lower Campus

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Stadium Drive Elementary, Early Genius K-4 STEM program

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day, H.C. Mines Intermediate School

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Federal Frenzy

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    March for Science

  • Unknown

    Judge
    2018 Holy Family School Local Science Fair

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    OH Wow Children's Museum Silly Science Sunday

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    YSU tent at the Canfield Fair

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    WonderZone Day Care

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Poland Union Elementary Fun Day

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day, H.C. Mines Intermediate School

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Youngstown Community School Success after Six program

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    2017 Chemistry Show at the YSU Guinathon

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Fairhaven School

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Upward Bound

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    OH Wow Children's Museum Silly Science Sunday

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    JFK Lower campus, Warren, OH

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    C. S. Lewis School

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Fairhaven School

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    OH Wow Children's Museum Silly Science Sunday

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    YSU tent at the Canfield Fair

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    15th Annual STEM Career Day

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Weblo Pack 100, Hubbard

  • Unknown

    Organizer
    Lawrence County Association for Responsible Care (LCARC)

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    OH Wow Children's Museum Silly Science Sunday

  • Unknown

    Organizer
    YSU tent at the Canfield Fair

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Harding Elementary School

  • Unknown

    Organizer
    Mahoning County Board of Devlopmental Disabilities, Javitz Center

  • Unknown

    Judge
    Horizon Science Academy

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Horizon Science Academy

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Campbell Elementary School

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    OH Wow Children's Museum Silly Science Sunday

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    YSU tent at the Canfield Fair

  • Unknown

    Organizer
    Boardman YMCA

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Robinwood Lane Elementary School

  • Unknown

    Judge
    2013 Holy Family School Local Science Fair

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    OH Wow Children's Museum Silly Science Sunday

  • Unknown

    Judge
    2012 Holy Family School Local Science Fair

  • Unknown

    Judge
    Youngstown Christian School

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day, H.C. Mines Intermediate School

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day, H.C. Mines Intermediate School

  • Unknown

    Judge
    2009 Akiva Academy Science Fair

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Alumni Day

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day Austintown Middle School

  • Unknown

    Judge
    2008 Akiva Academy Science Fair

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day H.C. Mines Intermediate School

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day Austintown Middle School

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day Austintown Middle School

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day H.C. Mines Intermediate School

  • 2005 - 2006

    Guest Speaker
    Homework Express

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day Austintown Middle School

  • Unknown

    Volunteer
    Market Street Elementary

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day Austintown Middle School

  • Unknown

    Judge
    2004 Holy Family School Local Science Fair

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day Austintown Middle School

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day Austintown Middle School

  • Unknown

    Judge
    2002 New Hope Academy Science Fair

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day Austintown Middle School

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Right to read “Speaker Day”, North Road Intermediate School

  • Unknown

    Judge
    2001 Springfield Intermediate School Science Fair

  • Unknown

    Judge
    Holy Family School Local Science Fair

  • Unknown

    Judge
    2001 Holy Family School Local Science Fair

  • Unknown

    Judge
    2001 New Hope Academy Science Fair

  • Unknown

    Guest Speaker
    Career Day Austintown Middle School

  • Unknown

    Judge
    2000 St. Joseph Catholic School Science Fair