Gary Lorigan named 2009-2012 Volwiler Research Professor

Gary Lorigan, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has been named the department’s Volwiler Research Professor for 2009-2012. 

Lorigan’s research program uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to investigate the structure of membrane proteins. 

Lorigan and his research group have developed a new method for probing the structural properties of membrane proteins using EPR and solid-state nuclear NMR — their initial work was highlighted by the journal Nature Methods as a “promising new structural biology tool.” 

Internationally recognized as a leader in his field, Lorigan has received external funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation and the American Heart Association, including a recent $1.4 million NIH RO1 grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, part of the NIH, for a study of new spectroscopic methods for probing the structure of membrane proteins. 

Lorigan joined Miami in 1998. He teaches courses ranging from the first year through the graduate level, and is mentor to numerous undergraduate (including several Beckman Scholars) and graduate students. 

The Volwiler Research Professorship was established in 1984 by a gift from Ernest Volwiler (Miami ’14). It recognizes scholarly research and excellence with the department of chemistry and biochemistry. Funds from the endowment will be used to support Lorigan’s research activities.

--Miami University News Release