Sandra K. Allen

Professor
Chemical Education Specialist

A.B., 1971, Trinity Christian College
M.B.A., 1983, Loyola University of Chicago
M.P.A., 1997, Indiana University
Ph.D., 1992, Indiana State University

Office: EH-318
Phone: (812) 237-2246
E-mail: sandra.allen@indstate.edu

Research Summary

Dr. Allen's research interests are in chemistry education, environmental chemistry, and photobiology. Recent work has centered upon the following topics:

1) Chemistry is an experimental science which presents educators with unique teaching and learning problems. The use of interactive learning environments in the teaching of chemistry may help bridge the gap between student learning styles and teacher teaching styles; particulary, for those students who are not science majors.

2) Detection of toxic oxidants formed in illuminated sunscreen solutions. Sunscreens are designed to protect human skin from some of the harmful effects of sunlight exposure; however, photochemical reactions involving sunscreens may produce toxic oxidants that cause damage to skin tissue.

3) Detection of phenols in air and rainwater. Over the past two decades, increasing numbers of trace organic compounds have been determined in atmospheric air and water samples. Phenol concentrations in ambient air and rainwater are of interest because they have been shown to be harmful to humans.

4) Formation of hydroxl radicals in illuminated surface waters contaminated with acidic mine drainage. These contaminated surface waters have very low pH and high concentrations of iron. When exposed to sunlight, very high concentrations of hydroxl radical are formed, rapidly consuming many organic pollutants present.

Recent Publications

1. Allen, J.M., Allen, S.K., Lingg, B.: "Photostability of Several Chemical Compounds Used As Active Ingredients In Sunscreens", Photostability of Drugs, Albini, A., Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge U.K., in press.

2. Martincigh, B.M., Allen, J.M., Allen, S.K.: "Sunscreens: The Molecules and their Photochemistry", Chapter 1 in Sunscreens-Molecular, Cellular, and Physiological Effects, Gasparro, F.P. ed., Landes, Austin, in press, (1997).

3. Allen, S.K., Allen, C.W.: "Phenol Concentrations in Air and Rain Water Samples Collected Near a Wood Preserving Facility", Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 59, 5: 702-707, (1997).

4. Allen, S.K., Todd, A., Allen, J.M.: "Photochemical formation of Singlet Molecular Oxygen (1O2). In Illuminated 6-Methylcoumarin Solutions", Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 235: 615-618, (1997).

5. Allen, J.M., Gossett, C.S., Allen, S.K.: "Photochemical Formation of Singlet Molecular Oxygen in Aqueous Solutions of Several Sunscreen Active Ingredients", Photochemistry and Photobiology, 63: 16S-17S, (1996).

6. Allen, J.M., Gossett, C.S., Allen, S.K.: "Photochemical Formation of Singlet Molecular Oxygen (1O2) in Illuminated Aqueous Solutions of Several Sunscreen Active Ingredients", Chemical Research in Toxicology, 9, 3: 605-609, (1996).

7. Allen, J.M., Gossett, C.S., Allen, S.K.: "Photochemical Formation of Singlet Molecular Oxygen in Illuminated Aqueous Solutions of p-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA)", Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 32, 2: 33-37, (1996).

8. Allen, S.K., Allen, J.M., Lucas, S.: "Concentrations of Contaminants in Surface Water Samples Collected in West Central Indiana Contaminated with Acidic Mine Drainage," Environmental Geology, 27, 1: 34-37, (1996).

9. Allen, J.M., Lucas, S., Allen, S.K.: "Formation of Hydroxyl Radical in Illuminated Surface Waters Contaminated with Acidic Mine Drainage", Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 15, 2: 102-113, (1996).

10. Allen, S.K., Allen, J.M., Lucas, S.: "Measurement of Metals in Surface Waters from West-Central Indiana Contaminated with Acidic Mine Drainage", Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 56: 240-243, (1996).

11. Allen, J.M., Egenolf, S., Allen, S.K.: "Rapid Reaction of Singlet Molecular Oxygen (1O2) with p-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) in Aqueous Solution", Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 212, 3: 1145-1151, (1995).