EDUCATION
Ph.D., Biochemistry, 2005
University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
Department of Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology
Advisor: Dr. S. James Remington
B.S., Chemistry (Cum Laude), Life Sciences Emphasis, 2000
Utah State University, Logan, Utah
Minors: Computer Science, Japanese
DISSERTATION
“Re-engineering redox-sensitive green fluorescent proteins as indicators of cellular thiol oxidation status.”
Redox-sensitive variants of the green fluorescent protein (roGFP) have been developed that allow non-invasive measurement of intracellular thiol oxidation status in “real-time”. This study focuses on the design, development, and biochemical characterization (including crystal structure determination) of several mutants of roGFP engineered to have faster response times and more oxidizing midpoint potentials.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Brigham Young University–Hawaii, Department of Natural Sciences
Dean of the College of Math & Sciences, 2014-2019
Professor, 2017-present
Associate Professor, 2010-2017
Assistant Professor, 2005-2010
Courses taught:
- CHEM 100 The World of Chemistry
- CHEM 101 Introduction to General Chemistry
- CHEM 105/L General Chemistry I and lab
- CHEM 106/L General Chemistry II and lab
- CHEM 107/L General Chemistry lab
- CHEM 270 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry (in development)
- CHEM 326/L Analytical Biochemistry and lab
- CHEM 370 Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 381 Biochemistry I
- CHEM 468/L Physical Biochemistry and lab
- CHEM 491-494 Senior Seminar
- CHEM 496R, 497R Mentored student research
- PHSC 100 Principles of Physical Science (general education course)
- GE 120 Scientific Reasoning (general education course)
Mentoring:
Assisting, guiding, and directing undergraduate students with their own research projects. Usually 2-5 students at any given time.
Research Focus (each involving undergraduate students):
- Efficacy of undergraduate-level tutoring on student as well as tutor learning and retention.
- Methods for more effective general chemistry teaching/learning.
- Directed mutagenesis of redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein in order to elucidate relationships between cysteine pKa and disulfide redox kinetics, as well as disulfide bond conformation and reduction potential.
- Heavy metal accumulation in marine invertebrates and terrestrial plants using atomic emission spectroscopy.
- Carbon-14 dating of local coral heads to determine time of death.
- Measurement of metal concentrations in coral and plant samples using ICP-OES.
Sabbatical Leaves Taken
Fall 2015: Visiting Professor in the Geology Department at BYU in Provo. Worked on two separate geochemistry projects with Dr. Steven Nelson.
- Search for soil core samples dating from the 1840’s in Nauvoo, Il, using Pb-210 dating techniques
- Sampling and measuring of lead and arsenic concentrations from mine tailings in Tooele, UT
Fall 2023: Visiting Scholar at Utah State University. Writing project: “Novel method to help students develop the confidence the need to be successful in chemistry”
University of Oregon, Institute of Molecular Biology
Graduate Research Assistant 2001-2005
- NIH Training Grant Appointee.
- Developed and characterized, biochemically, rate-enhanced mutants of a green fluorescent protein-based redox biosensor.
- Used x-ray crystallography to solve the three-dimensional structures of several of the above mutants.
- Used computational methods to model and predict electrostatic effects of these mutants.
- Using the above mutants, measured and began characterizing an oxidation event that occurs during the photobleaching of fluorescent proteins.
- Worked on various other GFP-based biosensor projects.
- Supervised and trained undergraduate and beginning graduate students.
University of Oregon, Department of Chemistry
Graduate Teaching Fellow 2000-2001
- Taught and supervised general chemistry teaching labs.
Utah State University, Computer Science Department
Special Instructor 1998-2000
While pursuing an undergraduate degree in chemistry:
Taught the following courses in computer science:
- CS 260 Programming in C
- CS 1700 Introduction to Computer Science (CS1)
- CS 1720 Introduction to Computer Science (CS2)
Duties included developing course curriculum, lecturing, creating homework assignments and tests, grading and advising.
Utah State University, Department of Chemistry
Teaching Assistant 2000
- Taught and supervised an organic chemistry teaching lab.
- Taught a general chemistry recitation section.
USDA Forage and Range Research Lab, Utah State University
Research Assistant 1996-2000
- Assisted in the development of ideal grass and other forage plant strains by selective breeding.
- Prepared and analyzed plant samples for protein and fiber content using wet chemistry and FT-IR methods.
MENTORED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH PROJECTS AT BYU–Hawaii
- Kimberly Bushnell (2006-2007) Modifications to the redox sensitive green fluorescent protein*
- Mei Hwa Tanielle Bench (2006-2007) Ion Concentration Effect on the Reduction Rate of Redox Sensitive Green Fluorescent Protein*
- David Hung (2007-2008) Modifying Midpoint Potential of Redox-Sensitive Green Fluorescent Proteins (roGFPs)*
- Michael Voorhees (2007-2008) Re-engineering the green fluorescent protein*
- Hiroko Kobayashi (2007-2009) Changing of Midpoint Potential in roGFP*
- Martin Trockel (2008) Re-engineering roGFP to create a faster reacting mutant*
- Megan Campbell (2008-2010) Copying the Thioredoxin CXXC Motif into the roGFP to Produce a New and Improved Redox Biosensor*
- Tupou Havea (2008-2010) Testing Midpoint Potential of Redox Green fluorescent Proteins*
- Abel Narayan (2008-2012) Disulfide Modification of roGFP by point mutation Phe84Cys*
- Carlton Taylor (2010) Developing Phosphorylation-sensitive Green Fluorescent Proteins*
- Takuma Aoba (2010-2012) Reconstruction of Redox-sensitive GFP Indicator by Introducing Thioredoxin Folding* †
- Benjamin Toone (2011-2012) Analysis of Possible Redox-Sensitive Green Fluorescent Protein Variant*
- Concordia Lo (2012) Continuing Quantitative Analysis of Aqueous SO2 using roGFP and Iodimetry †
- Jason Oswald (2012) Using Redox Sensitive Green Fluorescent Protein as a Biosensor to Detect Aqueous Sulfur Dioxide * †
- Kai Li Ong (2012) Quantitative use of red cabbage to measure pH through spectrophotometry ‡
- Ann-Aubrey Reid (2013) The Use of Heteropogon contortus To Remove Lead From Lead Pellet Contaminated Soil Through Phytoextraction*
- Benjamin Wing (2013) Dopamine Imbalance: An Etiological and Pharmacological Approach to Schizophrenia
- Glen Gray (2014) Analysis of Disulfide Stability in a Computationally Modeled Mutant of Redox-Sensitive Green Fluorescent Protein*
- Rebeckah Allen (2014) Tattoo Removal
- Bright Izekor (2014-2015) Introduction of mutations into the roGFP redox biosensor to optimize performance
- Keith Sasine (2015) Inorganic Catalysts in Water Splitting*
- Austin Waite (2017) The Detection of Heavy Metals in Plants near Mt. Kilauea*
- Emmalee Buss, Rachel Fears, Samantha Zuro (2017-2018) CO2 extraction from Laie Bay corals for C-14 dating* †
- Wai Ning Chloe Chan (2017-2018) Heavy metal leaching from non-stick cookware*
- Fredrick Wade (2017-2018) Heavy metal uptake by plants near Kilauea*
- Hoi Kin Tony Chan (2017-2018) The ability of snails in Hawaii to accumulate different heavy metals*
- Yen Jou Chang, Melissa Nguyen Lumogdang, Anna Morgan (2019) Radiocarbon dating to determine time and cause of death of corals in Laie, Hawaii*†
- Zoe Change (2019-2020) Heavy metal concentration analysis in Kahawainui Stream*
- Yuet Yan Grace Chan (2019-2020) Concentration of heavy metals in African tulip tree cores in Laie*
- Joshua Ketchum, Junhan Chen (2021-2022) Building an apparatus to extract CO2 gas from dissolved coral samples in preparation for AMS C-14 measurement*
- Nizhoni Sutter, Rebecca Brimley, Alfred Kapeli, Joshua Joshua Ketchum, Junhan Chen (2021-2022) Determining the causes of coral reef mortality in the Ko’olauloa region of Oahu†
- Adison Johnson (2022-2023) Measuring metal concentrations in human blood droplets by ICP-OES*
- Theo Wang, Michael Su, Jared Shum (2023) Exploring the heavy metal content in plants, leeward side vs windward side
Adison Johnson, Do Dang Ngoc Anh (2022-2023) Correlations between metal concentrations and coral mortality rates in Laie, HI Bays†
Student presented their work at department or university-level research meetings
Student presented their work at a national research conference
Contributed to a peer-reviewed publication
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
- Cannon, M.B., Ong, K.L. (2013) Quantitative use of red cabbage to measure pH through spectrophotometry: A laboratory experience for general chemistry students. A peer-reviewed book chapter in Using Food To Stimulate Interest in the Chemistry Classroom, ACS Symposium Series, 1130, 129-139.
- Cannon, M.B., Remington, S.J. (2008) Redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein: probes for dynamic intracellular redox responses, A Review. In Redox-Mediated Signal Transduction (Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol 476) Hancock, J.T., Editor; Springer (Humana Press): New York, 2008.
- Cannon, M.B., Remington, S. J. (2006) Re-engineering redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein for improved response rate. Protein Sci. 15, 45–57.
- Cannon, M.B. (2005) Re-engineering redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein as indicators of cellular thiol oxidation status. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Oregon Science Library QP552.G73 C35 2005.
- Hanson, G. T., Aggeler, R., Oglesbee, D., Cannon, M, Capaldi, R. A., Tsien, R. Y., and Remington, S. J. (2004) Investigating mitochondrial redox potential with redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein indicators. J. Biol. Chem. 279, 13044–13053.
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
- Johnson, A., Do, D.N.A., Cannon, M.B. “Correlations between metal concentrations and coral mortality rates in Laie, HI Bays” Poster presentation by students at the Asia Pacific Coral Reef Symposium, June 2023, Singapore.
- Sutter, N., Kapeli, A., Cannon, M.B. “Determining causes of coral reef mortality in the Ko’olauloa region of Oahu.” Poster presentation by students at American Chemical Society National meeting, August 2022, Chicago, Illinois.
- Chang, Y.J., Lumogdang, M.N., Morgan, A., Cannon, M.B. “Radiocarbon dating to determine time and cause of death of corals in Laie, Hawaii.” Poster presentation by students at American Chemical Society National meeting, April 2019, Orlando, Florida.
- Buss, E., Zuro, S., Cannon, M.B. “Dating of coral heads in La’ie Bay, Hawai’i to determine cause of death”. Oral presentation given by my students at the Asia Pacific Coral Reef Symposium, Cebu, Philippines, June 2018.
- Cannon, M.B. “Helping biochemistry students find relevance in physical chemistry using fluorescent protein-based lab activities”. Oral presentation at the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Greeley CO, August 2016 (paper P370).
- Cannon, M.B. “Prepare, Engage, Improve. Our students are capable of more than we imagine.” Oral presentation at the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Greeley CO, August 2016 (paper P138).
- Cannon, M.B. “Green physical chemistry labs employing redox-sensitive green fluorescent proteins”. Oral presentation at the International Conference on Chemical Education, Toronto Canada, July 2014 (paper P8RCRU.ABS).
- Cannon, M.B. “Rise of the Atom: The Manhattan Project and the Discoveries that Led to the Inevitability of Nuclear Weapons”. Invited oral presentation for BYU-Hawaii Honor’s Colloqium, January 2014.
- Cannon, M.B. “Quantitative use of red cabbage to measure pH through spectrophotometry: A laboratory experience for general chemistry students”. Oral presentation at the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Penn State University, PA, July 2012 (paper P520).
- Aoba, T., Cannon, M.B. “Reconstruction of redox-sensitive GFP indicator by introducing thioredoxin folding.” Poster presentation by student at the American Chemical Society National meeting, March 2011, Anaheim, California.
- Cannon, M.B. “Reinforcing 1st-year foundational principles in chemistry majors during the 2nd year”. Oral presentation at the ACS National Meeting, Division of Chemical Education, Anaheim, CA, March 2011 (paper 1461).
- Cannon, M.B., Heaton, D.H. “A practical and problem-based strategy for teaching analytical biochemistry”. Presented at the ACS National Meeting, Division of Chemical Education, Salt Lake City, UT, March, 2009 (poster #139).
- Cannon, M.B, “Re-engineering redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein biosensors”. Oral presentation at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, December 2008.
- Cannon, M.B., Remington, S.J. “Redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein: probes for dynamic intracellular thiol redox events”. Presented at the ACS National Meeting, Biological Chemistry Division, New Orleans, LA, April, 2008 (poster #103).
- Cannon, M.B., “Global Warming: Some Perspective”. Invited oral presentation for BYU-Hawaii Honor’s Colloqium, Laie, HI, November 2007.
- Cannon, M.B., Remington, S.J. “Re-engineering redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein for improved response rate”. Oral presentation at the XVII West Coast Protein Crystallography Workshop, Pacific Grove, CA, March, 2005 (talk #T13)
SERVICE
BYU–Hawaii
University-level committees
- University Assessment Committee Member, 2006-2009
- Psychology Program Review, Onsite assessment team member, February 2011
- University Curriculum Committee Member, 2013-2015
- College of Math & Science GE Course Development Committee, 2013-2014
- Undergraduate Research Conference Committee member, 2023, 2024-present
- Promotion Review Committee member, beginning 2024
Faculty Search committees
- Biochemistry Faculty Search Committee member, 2008 (hired Dan Scott)
- Biochemistry Faculty Search Committee Chair, 2009 (hired Georgi Lukov)
- Organic Chemistry Faculty Search Committee Chair, 2009 (hired Dan Gubler)
- Organic Chemistry Faculty Search Committee Chair, 2014 (hired Richard Cornwall)
- Psychology Faculty Search Committee member, 2020 (no one hired)
Department Chair for Biochemistry & Physical Sciences Department, 2009-2014
Biochemistry Department Review Self-Study Report main author, 2011-2012
Dean of the College of Math & Sciences, 2014-2019
- Dean’s Council
- Academic Council
Steering Committee member and faculty representative for the proposed new Science Building, 2016-2019
Professional
ACS Hawaii Local Section Executive Committee Secretary, 2006-2007
ACS Exam Committee member: General Chemistry Laboratory Exam, 2009-2012
- Committee developed a web-based standardized lab exam for General Chemistry
- Was over a subcommittee developing the Kinetics Scenario
Was the external reviewer for Hawaii Pacific University’s Biochemistry Program review in February of 2015
- Site visit and authored the external review report
Community
- Families Supporting Adoption, Hawaii Chapter Co-Chair, 2006-2014
- Various leadership and service positions in the LDS Church
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES and AWARDS
- BYUH Fifteen-year Service Award 2021
- BYUH Ten-year Service Award 2016
- Phi Kappa Phi Honor society, member 2012-present
- BYUH College of Math and Sciences Dean’s Special Leadership award 2011
- BYUH Five-year Service Award 2011
- BYUH College of Math and Sciences Dean’s Special Leadership award 2009
- ACS Exam Committee, Lab Exam Subcommittee member 2009-2012
- ACS Hawaii Section, Executive Committee Secretary 2006-2007
- American Chemical Society, member 2005-present
- NIH Training Grant Appointee 2001-2004
- Graduated Cum Laude with bachelors in Chemistry 2000
- Utah State University Dean’s List 1996-1998
CV LAST REVISED JUNE 2024