Geneive Henry

PHD, Univ of West Indies – Mona

BS, Univ of West Indies – Mona

Growing up in Montego Bay, Jamaica, I aspired to become either a medical doctor or a school teacher, although I didn’t have a particular subject in mind. My passion for chemistry was sparked when I took my first chemistry class in the ninth grade. By the time I entered college, I knew that I wanted to complete a degree in chemistry, but still didn’t have a clear idea what I wanted to do after college. I took my first natural product chemistry course in my final year in college, and was fascinated by the subject. It was at that point that I decided to pursue a PhD in organic chemistry, with an emphasis on natural product chemistry.

At Susquehanna, my primary area of research is natural product and medicinal chemistry. Although my career path didn’t direct me toward a medical degree, I am, in a sense, doing what I aspired to do as a child, i.e. teaching and studying certain aspects of medicine.

I cherish the opportunities that I have to engage Susquehanna students in discussions on medicinal chemistry topics, both in the classroom and research lab setting.

EDUCATION

University of the West Indies (U.W.I.), Mona, Jamaica

Ph.D., Organic Chemistry (1998)

Thesis Title: Structure and Synthesis of Compounds from Endemic Caribbean Guttiferae, Euphorbiaceae and Rutaceae

B.Sc., Chemistry, First Class Honors (1993)

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

Susquehanna University, Department of Chemistry

• Charles B. Degenstein Professor of Chemistry (2017-present)
• Professor of Chemistry (2015-2017)
• Associate Professor of Chemistry (2009-2015)
• Assistant Professor of Chemistry (2003-2009)

Courses: Organic Chemistry I and II (lecture and laboratory sections), Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Concepts (lecture and laboratory section), Perspectives (First year seminar)

RESEARCH APPOINTMENTS

University of Rhode Island, Sabbatical: School of Pharmacy (Spring 2011)

State University of New York, Research Associate: Environmental Science and Forestry Division (Summer 2003)

Michigan State University, Postdoctoral fellow: Department of Horticulture (2000-2001)

Harvard University, Postdoctoral fellow: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (1998-2000)

University of Toronto, Department of Chemistry (February – May 1997, May 1998)

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

2025: Henry McBay Outstanding Educator Award from the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (Press Release)

2024: Council of Undergraduate Research Fellows Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Leadership (Video and Press Release)

2020: Council of Undergraduate Research 2020 Outstanding Mentorship Award (Chemistry)

2017: Charles B. Degenstein Professor of Chemistry

2017: Joseph Priestley Service Award for the Susquehanna Valley section of the American Chemical Society

2011: Susquehanna University Whatever it takes (WIT) Award

2009: John C. Horn Distinguished Service Lectureship (Award for outstanding scholarship)

1998: National Chapter of Canada IODE Fellowship (Award for outstanding research)

1998: Best Ph.D. Poster, U.W.I. Mona Symposium of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry

1998: Best Graduate Student Thesis (U.W.I.)

1993-1997: Postgraduate Scholarship (U.W.I.)

1993: Cedric Hassal Scholarship (U.W.I.) (Most outstanding upper-level Chemistry student)

1989: Montego Bay Community College Female Student of the Year

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE

2016-2022: Susquehanna University Chemistry Department Chair

Fall 2010: Susquehanna University Interim Chemistry Department Chair

EXTERNAL GRANTS

• NSF-MRI award (1625340, 2016-2019): Acquisition of an upgraded radio frequency console, a broadband nitrogen-cooled probe and an autosampler for a 400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer ($223,890). PI: William Dougherty, Co-PIs: Geneive Henry, Elizabeth Valentin
• NSF-RUI award (2012-2015): Investigation of the chemical diversity of Pennsylvania Hypericum species ($150,000). PI: Geneive Henry
• Research Corporation for Science Advancement Cottrell College Award (2007-2010): Chemical and biological investigation of Hypericum species ($34,980). PI: Geneive Henry

PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS (Susquehanna undergraduates in bold, corresponding authors marked with asterisk)

• Stettler, L. S.; Kopysciansky, V. T.; Poor, J. E.; de Lima Menezes, G.; VanNoy, E.; Bastos, G.; Shellenberger, B. M.; Garasich, F.; Stanell, S.; Bezerra, K.S.; Oliveira^. J. I. N.; Fulco, U. L.;* Henry, G. E.*Chromene-thiazole derivatives as potential SARS-CoV-2 M^pro inhibitors: Synthesis and computational studies. ACS Omega 2025, Revised and resubmitted.
• Roe, E.; Johnson, T.; Stanell, S.; Crawford, M.; Lyle, C.; McMillen, C. D.; Dougherty, W. G.;* Henry, G. E.* Chromene-based Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) Schiff base complexes: Synthesis, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic analyses and evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibition by molecular docking. Inorg. Chim. Acta. 2026, 589, 122891.
• Henry, G. E. The benefits and challenges of collaborative research involving undergraduate participants. Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research (SPUR). Summer Issue. 2024, 7(4), 8-11.
• Johnson, T. A.; Roe, E. W.; Crawford, M. J.; Basile, N.; Shellenberger, B. M.; Rudolph, M. E.; Awad, S. H. Brogdon, P.;* Nelson, P. N.;* Henry, G. E.* Synthesis, antioxidant, DNA interaction, electrochemical, and spectroscopic properties of chromene-based Schiff bases: Experimental and theoretical approach. J. Mol. Struct. 2024, 1307, 138020.
• Shellenberger, B. M.; Basile, O.N.; Cassel J.; Olsen, M. R.; Salvino, J. M.; Montaner, L. J.; Tietjen, I.;* Henry, G. E.* Synthesis, SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibition, molecular docking and in silico ADME studies of furanochromene-quinoline hydrazone derivatives. Med. Chem. Lett. 2024, 102, 129679.
• Ressler, A. J.; Frate, M.; Hontoria, A.; Ream, A.; Timms, E.; Li, H.; Stettler, L.; Bollinger, A.; Poor, J. E.; Parra, M. A.; Ma, H.; Seeram, N. P.; Meschwitz, S. M.;* Henry, G. E.* Synthesis, anti-ferroptosis, antibacterial, and DNA interaction studies of chromene hydrazone derivatives. Med. Chem., 2023, 90, 117369.
• Bollinger, A.; Brandt, O. N.; Stettler, L.; Ream, A.; Kopysciansky, V. T.; Nelson, C. A.; Slitt, A.; Ma, J.; Tom, L.; Ma, H.; Seeram, N. P.; Henry, G. E.* Sulfide-linked 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-thiosemicarbazide hybrids: Synthesis, antioxidant, antiglycation, DNA cleavage and DNA molecular docking studies. Results Chem. 2023, 5, 100806.
• Ressler, A. J; Brandt, O.; Weaver, A.; Poor, J.; Ream, A.; Summers, N.; McMillen, C.; Seeram, N. P.; Dougherty, W.G.;* Henry, G.E.* Chromene-based Schiff base ligand: DNA interaction studies and characterization of tetranuclear zinc, nickel and iron complexes. Inorganica Chim. Acta. 2023, 547, 121363.
• Saylor, J. L.; Basile, O. N.; Li, H.; Hunter, L. M.; Weaver, A.; Shellenberger, B. M.; Tom, L.; Ma, H.; Seeram, N. P.; Henry, G. E.* Phenolic furanochromene hydrazone derivatives: Synthesis, antioxidant activity, ferroptosis inhibition, DNA cleavage and DNA molecular docking studies. Med. Chem. 2022, 75, 117088.
• Havasi, M. H.; Ressler, A. J.; Parks, E. L.; Cocolas, A. H.; Weaver, A.; Seeram, N. P.; Henry, G. E.* Antioxidant and tyrosinase docking studies of heterocyclic sulfide derivatives containing a thymol moiety. Inorganica Chim. Acta. 2020, 505, 119495. Invited paper for issue on Transition metals in catalysis and medicine in honor of Professor Tara Dasgupta.
• Castner, E.; Dickson, M.; Mykytyn, A.; Seeram, N. P.; Henry, G. E.;* Vivekanand, P.* Synthesis and evaluation of apoptotic induction of human cervical cancer cells by ester derivatives of thujone.Med. Chem. Res. 2020, 29, 268-280.
• Cocolas, A.; Parks, E.; Ressler, A.; Havasi, M.; Seeram, N. P.; Henry, G. E.* Heterocyclic b-keto sulfide derivatives of carvacrol: synthesis and copper (II) ion reducing capacity. Med. Chem. Lett. 2019, 29, 126636.
• Brotzman, N.; Xu, Y.; Graybill, A.; Cocolas, A.; Ressler, A.; Seeram, N. P.; Ma, H.; Henry, G. E.* Synthesis and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of 4-oxobutanoate derivatives of carvacrol and thymol. Med. Chem. Lett. 2019, 29, 56-58.
• Palmer, M. R.; Suiter, C. L.; Henry, G. E.; Rovnyak, J.; Hoch, J. C.; Polenova, T.; Rovnyak, D. R.* Sensitivity of nonuniform sampling NMR. J. Phys. Chem. B. 2015, 119, 6502-6515.
• Niesen, D.; Ma, H.; Yuan, T.; Bach, A. C.; Henry, G. E.; Seeram, N. P. Phenolic constituents of Carex vulpinoidea seeds and their tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Prod. Comm. 2015, 10, 491-493.
• Force, R.; Chen, S-L.; Fortier, E.; Rowlands, E.; Heneks, J.; Rovnyak, D.; Henry, G. E.* Spirocyclic acylphloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum pyramidatum. Prod. Comm. 2014, 9, 961-964.
• Sarkisian, S. A.; Janssen, M. J.; Matta, H.; Henry, G. E.; LaPlante, K. L.; Rowley, D. C.* Inhibition of bacterial growth and biofilm production by metabolites from Hypericum Phytother. Res., 2012, 26, 1012-1016.
• González-Sarrías, A.; Gromek, S.; Niesen, D.; Seeram, N. P.;* Henry, G. E.* Resveratrol oligomers isolated from Carex species inhibit growth of human colon tumorigenic cells mediated by cell cycle arrest. Agric. Food Chem. 2011, 59, 8632-8638.
• Manning, K.; Petrunak, E.; Lebo, M.; González-Sarrías, A.; Seeram, N. P., Henry, G. E.* Acylphloroglucinol and xanthones from Hypericum ellipticum. Phytochemistry,2011, 72, 662-667.
• Li, L.; Woolridge, D.; Saing, S. R.; Jennings, J.; Henry, G. E.;* Seeram, N. P.* Flavonoids and a stilbene from Triadenum fraseri (Spach) Gleason. Syst. Ecol. 2010, 38, 1074-1076.
• Li, L.; Henry, G. E., Seeram, N.P. Identification and bioactivities of resveratrol oligomers and flavonoids from Carex folliculata J. Agric. Food Chem. 2009, 57, 7282-7287.
• Henry, G. E.;* Campbell, M. S.; Zelinsky, A.; Liu, Y.; Bowen-Forbes, C.; Li, L.; Nair, M. G.; Rowley, D. C.; Seeram, N. P. Bioactive acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum densiflorum. Res., 2009, 23, 1759-1762.
• Petrunak, E.; Kester, A. C.; Liu, Y.; Bowen-Forbes, C. S.; Nair, M. G.; Henry, G. E.* New benzophenone O-glucoside from Hypericum ellipticum. Nat. Prod. Comm. 2009, 4, 507-510.
• Henry, G. E.;* Raithore, S.; Zhang. Y.; Jayaprakasam, B.; Nair, M. G.; Heber, D.; Seeram, N. P. Acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum prolificum. Nat. Prod. 2006, 69, 1645-1648.
• Henry, G. E.;* Adams, L. S.; Rosales, J. C.; Jacobs, H.; Heber, D.; Seeram, N. P. Kaurene diterpenes from Laetia thamnia inhibit the growth of human cancer cells in vitro. Cancer Lett., 2006, 244, 190-194.
• Manning, M. S.; Henry, G. E.; Omori, S.; Francis, R. C. Addition of hydrogen peroxide and molybdate to chlorine dioxide bleaching stages. Pulp Pap. Sci. 2006, 32, 58-62.
• Henry, G. E.; Momin, R.A.; Nair, M. G.; Dewitt, D. L. Antioxidant and cyclooxygenase activities of fatty acids found in food. Agric. Food Chem. 2002, 50, 2231-2234.
• Henry, G. E.; Jacobs, H. A Short Synthesis of 5-Methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-benzopyran-6-propanoic acid methyl ester. Tetrahedron 2001, 57, 5335-5338.
• Christian, O. E.; Henry, G. E.; Jacobs, H.; McLean, S.; Reynolds, W. F. Prenylated benzophenone derivatives from Clusia havetiodes var. stenocarpa. Nat. Prod. 2001, 64, 23-25.
• Henry, G. E.; Jacobs, H.; Carrington, C. M. S.; McLean, S.; Reynolds, W. F. Prenylated benzophenone derivatives from Caribbean Clusia species (Guttiferae). Plukenetiones B-G and Xerophenone A. Tetrahedron1999, 55, 1581-1596.
• Harding, W. H.; Henry, G. E.; Lewis, P. A.; Jacobs, H.; McLean, S.; Reynolds, W. F. Alvaradoins A-D. Anthracenone C arabinosides from Alvaradoa jamaicensis. Nat. Prod. 1999, 62, 98-101.
• Henry, G. E.; Jacobs, H.; Carrington, C. M. S.; McLean, S.; Reynolds, W. F. Plukenetione A. An unusual adamantyl ketone from Clusia plukenetii (Guttiferae). Tetrahedron Lett. 1996, 37, 8663-8666.
• Henry, G. E.; Jacobs, H.; McLean, S.; Yang, J-P.; Reynolds, W. F. Xerophenones A and B. New isoprenylated derivatives of 11-oxatricyclo[4.3.1.1^4,10]undecane-7,9-dione from Clusia portlandiana (Guttiferae). Tetrahedron Lett. 1995, 36, 4575-4578.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

• Strategies for enhancing interdisciplinary research experiences. NOBCChE Annual Conference (September 2025).
• Chromene-thiazole derivatives as SARS-CoV-2 viral entry inhibitors: Synthesis and molecular docking studies. Tetrahedron Symposium (Flash talk and poster). Bruges, Belgium. (July 2025)
• Chromenochalcones as potential anticancer agents: Synthesis and computational studies.Susquehanna University Faculty Colloquium (February 2025).
• Successful strategies to publish data from undergraduate research projects. University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Chemistry Department (Virtual, October 2024).
• Strengthening undergraduate research experiences through cross-disciplinary and
  inter-institutional collaboration. CUR Fellow Award lecture at ConnectUR Conference (June 25, 2024). Invited.
• Synthesis of biologically active chromene-based heterocyclic derivatives. American Chemical Society National Meeting (March 19, 2024). Invited
• Exploring the benefits and challenges of collaborative research: Part 2 – The value of collaboration agreements. Savannah State University NSF and NIH Scholars (Virtual, April 15, 2023).
• Antioxidant, pro-oxidant and potential SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitory activities of synthetic furanochromene hydrazone derivatives. Elizabethtown College, Chemistry Department (March 3, 2023).
• Synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular docking studies of phenolic furanochromene hydrazone derivatives. Colgate University, Chemistry Department (October 4, 2022).
• Exploring the benefits and challenges of collaborative research: Part 1 – The practice of collaboration. Savannah State University NSF and NIH Scholars (Virtual, April 2022).
• Synthesis, antioxidant and anticancer-related studies of new benzopyran derivatives. Duke Kunshan University, Division of Natural and Applied Sciences (Virtual, March 2022).
• Synthesis and biological studies of natural product-derived chromene derivatives. University of the West Indies, Mona, Chemistry Department (Virtual, January 2022).
• Creating interdisciplinary research opportunities for students through collaboration. Susquehanna University Faculty Colloquium (December 2021).
• Synthesis, antioxidant and DNA protective studies of natural product-inspired thioether derivatives. Misericordia University, Chemistry Department (Virtual, April 2021).
• Antioxidant properties of derivatives of thyme and oregano essential oils. Susquehanna University Faculty Colloquium (February 2020).
• Synthesis and anticancer potential of cannabichromene-based oxime ester derivatives. Spelman College, Chemistry Department (January 2020).
• Structure-antioxidant correlations of heterocyclic thioether derivatives of carvacrol and thymol. Southeastern Regional ACS meeting. Savannah, Georgia (October 2019).
• Antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of g-keto ester derivatives of carvacrol and thymol. 4^th International Conference and Exhibition on Natural Products, Medicinal Plants & Marine Drugs. Rome, Italy (June 2018). Invited.
• Medicinal and insecticidal properties of derivatives of white cedar essential oils, Susquehanna University Faculty Colloquium (April 2018).
• NMR Structure Elucidation of spirocyclic acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum pyramidatum. Wilkes University Conference on Research and Education in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry (May 28, 2014).
• Spirocyclic acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum pyramidatum. 25^th Mona Symposium of Natural Product and Medicinal Chemistry, University of the West Indies, Jamaica (January 2014).
• Bioactive potential of stilbenoids of the Carex American Chemical Society 244^th National Conference, Philadelphia (August 2012). Invited.
• NMR structure elucidation of prenylated acylphloroglucinol derivatives from Pennsylvania Hypericum Bloomsburg University Conference on Research and Education in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (October 22, 2011). Invited.
• Bioactive natural products from Pennsylvania Hypericum species, University of Rhode Island, School of Pharmacy (February 2011). Invited.
• Medicinal properties of Pennsylvania Hypericum species, Susquehanna University Horn Lecture (April 2010).
• Acylphloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum prolificum. 21^st Mona Symposium of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, University of the West Indies, Jamaica (January 2006).
• Chemical and biological characterization of Pennsylvania Hypericum Susquehanna University Science Luncheon (October 2005).

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

2020–present National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black

Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)

2020–present Council on Undergraduate Research

2014–2015 National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity

2010–present Friends of Joseph Priestley House

2009–2011 Pennsylvania Academy of Science

2007–present Gamma Sigma Epsilon, Chemistry Honor Society, Rho Kappa Chapter

2003–present American Society of Pharmacognosy

1998–present American Chemical Society