Emetine & molecular binding
Investigating emetine–DNA association using spectroscopy and electrochemical approaches to understand binding behavior and changes in molecular response.
University of the District of Columbia
Understanding molecules.
Advancing discovery.
Exploring molecular interactions and chemical reactivity through electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and analytical measurement.
MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS / ANALYTICAL INSIGHT
Drug–DNA interactionsElectrochemistry & spectroscopyCatalysis & materialsUndergraduate discovery
Our focus
Chemistry at the interface of biology and materials.
Led by Dr. Uche Charles Udeochu, our research connects analytical methods with questions about bioactive molecules, molecular binding, and functional materials.
Students gain experience designing experiments, interpreting chemical signals, and communicating evidence through hands-on research in the Chemistry Program at UDC.
Research directions
From signals to understanding.
Complementary approaches to investigate how molecules interact, transform, and respond at interfaces.
Reactivity at the electrode
Studying oxidation processes, scan-rate behavior, pH effects, and electrode interactions. Developing spectroelectrochemical studies that connect electrical response with molecular change.
Layered materials for catalysis
Exploring layered double hydroxide materials and their electrochemical behavior, including Cu/Al systems under investigation for methanol oxidation.
Emerging undergraduate project: phosphate hydrolysis
Developing a chemistry-based investigation of ATP hydrolysis, proton transfer, and isotope and temperature effects. A comparison phosphate substrate provides a control for distinguishing ATP-specific behavior from broader phosphate hydrolysis chemistry. Proton tunneling is a research question, rather than an established outcome.
Published scholarship
Research in print.
17 publications
2026
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ARTICLE
Electrochemical Investigation of the Redox Behavior of Isoquinoline Alkaloid Emetine
Carin Smith et al.; Uche Udeochu.
ACS Omega
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.6c06393
ARTICLE
Spectroscopic Investigation of Emetine–DNA Binding
U. Udeochu, C. Smith, S. Kong, A. Adebayo, J. Franklin, and O. Bakare.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 68 (23), 25375–25384
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c02357
ARTICLE
Spectral Characterization of the Synthesis of Thiol-Functionalized Tetraphenyl Porphyrin for Spintronic Applications
B. Bari, U. Udeochu, X. Song, and P. Tyagi.
Journal of Electronic Materials 54, 10190–10197
DOI: 10.1007/s11664-025-12192-z
ARTICLE
Cyclic voltammetry insights into Ni/Al-carbonate hydrotalcite catalysis for methanol oxidation
B. Bari, P. Tyagi, and U. Udeochu.
Scientific Reports 15, 13365
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-96933-4
CHAPTER
Environmental and Health Consequences of Heavy Metals in Crude Oil-Polluted Soils in Ihwrekreka Community
Book chapter
View publication record
ARTICLE
Simulated Microgravity, Indole-3-Acetyl Acid, and Cow Dung influence on Zea Mays Plant Growth in Contaminated Soil
Applied Environmental Research
View publication record
ARTICLE
Assessment of Heavy Metal Exposure in Soils of Ihwrekreka Communities, Delta State, Nigeria
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection
View publication record
ARTICLE
Spectroelectrochemical Investigation of the Interaction of Adenine with Pyridoxine at Physiological pH
Y. Roye, U. Udeochu, M. Ukaegbu, and J. Onuegbu.
Journal of Spectroscopy, Article 6979547
DOI: 10.1155/2019/6979547
ARTICLE
Implementation of Active Experiential Learning Labs in the Instrumental Analysis Seniors Undergraduate Course at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore
U. Udeochu, M. Cheney, and V. V. Volkis.
The Chemical Educator
View publication record
ARTICLE
Bis(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione-κN,N′)silver(I) tetrafluoridoborate
Acta Crystallographica Section E
View publication record
ARTICLE
5,6-Dioxo-1,10-phenanthrolin-1-ium trifluoromethanesulfonate
Acta Crystallographica Section E
DOI: 10.1107/S1600536808016632
ARTICLE
Acetato(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)silver(I) trihydrate
Acta Crystallographica Section E
View publication record
ARTICLE
Bis(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione-κN,N′)silver(I) perchlorate
Acta Crystallographica Section E
View publication record
ARTICLE
Vibrational Assignment of the Raman Active Modes of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione Using DFT Calculations
U. Udeochu, T. Jimerson, A. Vivoni, O. Bakare, and C. M. Hosten.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry A 111, 3409–3415
DOI: 10.1021/jp067030u
ARTICLE
Energy calculations of 6-mercaptopurine riboside adsorbed on a silver electrode surface using density functional theory
Surface Science
View publication record
ARTICLE
Spectroelectrochemical investigation of the pH dependent aggregation state of iron TAP
Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry
DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2006.02.025
ARTICLE
Detection of benzopyrene-deoxyguanosine adducts by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry
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Principal investigator
Dr. Uche Charles Udeochu
Associate Professor of Analytical ChemistryChemistry Program Coordinator
University of the District of Columbia
Dr. Udeochu’s research spans bioanalytical chemistry, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and catalytic materials. His work combines molecular investigation with student mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Ph.D. · Analytical ChemistryHoward University, 2007
B.Sc. & M.Sc. · ChemistryUniversity of Ibadan, 1998 & 2000
Experimental approaches
A complementary analytical toolkit.
Combining electrochemical measurements with optical methods helps connect changes in chemical signals to the behavior of molecules and materials.
- Electrochemical analysis
Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry using a BASi Epsilon Eclipse potentiostat. - Optical spectroscopy
UV–visible absorption and fluorescence studies of molecular interactions and chemical change. - Collaborative characterization
Access to complementary methods, including external LC–MS analysis, through research collaborations.
Student research
Learn by asking.
Grow through discovery.
Undergraduate research is central to our work. Students participate in experimental design, data collection, analysis, and scientific communication.
Ask about research opportunities ↗01 / Investigate
Develop focused chemical questions and design experiments with meaningful controls.
02 / Measure
Build laboratory skills through electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and reproducible data collection.
03 / Communicate
Interpret findings, prepare figures, and contribute to presentations and scholarly writing.
Get in touch
Let’s explore the next question.
For research collaborations, student research inquiries, and questions about our work.
uche.udeochu@udc.edu ↗
Dr. Uche Charles Udeochu
Chemistry Program
University of the District of Columbia
Washington, DC 20008