Andy Mossine takes on macromolecule research

Andy Mossine puts his heart into his creative research.

By Lyndsie Manusos

Published Sept. 16, 2008

Andy Mossine's fascination with chemistry got an early start. His father, a scientist and assistant professor at MU, would recount stories of a scientific career to a young Mossine and the influence has stuck.

Now a senior at MU, Mossine splits his time with research and being a regular student on campus. He takes a Kung Fu class, he volunteers - and he investigates the assembly and configuration of macromolecules, which can potentially effect cancer research.   

It's not always easy to understand what Mossine does.

Born in the Ukraine, Mossine relocated with his family to Columbia at age seven. Learning from his father played a great influence on Mossine's interest in science. So when the time came to pick a major in college, chemistry seemed to be the perfect match.

"It seemed logical to me to choose chemistry," Mossine said. "It incorporates both the real world and the mathematical world." 

The research Mossine is working on now began with chemistry professor Jerry Atwood when Mossine enrolled in one of Atwood's courses in winter semester of 2008 and was inspired.

"The stuff he was doing was absolutely fascinating," Mossine said of Atwood's work. "I looked up stuff outside of class just to see what was up."

As an undergraduate, it is required for students to get involved with student research. Mossine, already deeply interested, had no problem getting a job.

"I talked to Dr. Atwood and asked if I could work in the lab," Mossine said.  Andy has now been working for almost two and half years. In the beginning, progress was quick to show itself and it became evident that Mossine was no ordinary student.

"The ordinary way for an undergrad to carry out a research project is to be assigned tasks, do those tasks and then ask what to do next. Andy does not function this way. He has been assigned the project and developed the project. He has never waited for me or anyone else to say 'Ok, now do this.' He knows once he's done it, what the next step is."

Atwood saw a similar spark in Mossine.

Observant of Mossine's intuitive ability and enthusiasm for the world of chemistry, Atwood immediately knew this student had potential.

"He provided an excellent influence to me and to others in the class," Atwood said. "He was bright, alert and eager to ask questions and eager to answer them."

Atwood is leading two main groups of student researchers. One group is focused on veering away from our dependence on foreign oil and utilizing other natural gases as energy sources. 

The other is aimed in discovering new ways to take molecules in chemotherapy and to deliver them just to where the cancer is rather than having side effects such as loss of hair and stomach lining. Mossine's involvement branches off from this research. Most recently, he's been involved with research in the self-assembly of macromolecules, which has the potential to effect cancer research in the future.

And Atwood has proved to be a great influence on Mossine and the chemistry world beyond.

Atwood has played a major role in chemistry since obtaining his bachelor's degree from Southwest Missouri State University in 1964. In his years of experience, he has left publications, awards and major discoveries in his wake. 

In 1969, he made a discovery that developed into what is now called "green chemistry," a form of chemistry that has a good impact on the environment. In spite of his trophy case of achievements, Atwood always had a yearning to teach, being influenced by his mother, who was a teacher. It runs in the family, too - Atwood's oldest son is now a professor at the University of Kentucky.

Atwood's teaching career at MU started in 1994 where he became the chemistry department chairman and has remained since. He said he benefits from working with the students.

"I get the inspiration and technical expertise that come from the work these bright young students do in my lab and satisfaction from imparting knowledge to bright young students," he said. That mindset has show in students like Mossine.

Cheryl Ragan was a teaching assistant in Mossine's inorganic chemistry class.

"He was a really good student," Ragan said. 

Ragan now works in the same lab as Andy and is currently researching encapsulation and nano capsules. By working with teaching assistants like Ragan along with Atwood, Mossine was pleasantly surprised by the tremendous amount of creative freedom given to him and his research. It also provides a practical outlet for critical thinking outside of the classroom, Mossine said.

"You learn to do stuff on your own instead of being spoon fed," he said. "As an undergrad, that was something I wasn't expecting but am grateful for."

For Mossine, it goes beyond interest. He's put his heart into it.

"I make it clear that I am interested in what I do," he said. "Not everyone is. You pretty much have to put your heart in it in order to get anything out and I really do put my heart into it."

In the future, Mossine plans to get his graduate and Ph.D. and hopes to possibly receive a professorship somewhere because he enjoys the creative freedom to teach and research. His love of his work is important to him and he is ardent in believing that the love of one's work should be one's only motivation.

Mossine has words of advice for students who want to get involved with research.

"Do stuff because you're curious and not to get money or a recommendation letter later on. Be genuinely interested and that way you'll be motivated constantly," he said.