Dr. Kari L. Stone has taught in higher education since 2009. At Lewis University she teaches Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry, Medicinal Biochemistry, and Bioinorganic Chemistry, integrating authentic research, critical thinking, and equitable access to scientific practice through Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs).
Teaching and research are tightly connected in the Stone Lab. Students develop laboratory skills, data analysis, scientific communication, and independence while engaging with real problems in bioinorganic chemistry, enzyme structure–function, and sustainable catalysis.
Undergraduate and graduate biochemistry covering biomolecular structure, enzyme mechanisms, bioenergetics, and metabolic pathways. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between structure and catalytic function, with connections to research through CURE and Design2Data laboratory modules.
Quantum theory, atomic structure, spectroscopy, statistical mechanics, and chemical kinetics. Students connect physical principles to molecular behavior and biological energy conversion, including applications relevant to electron-transfer systems.
Application of biochemical principles to drug action. Topics include enzyme inhibition, structure–activity relationships, molecular recognition at protein targets, and the biochemical basis of therapeutic and antimicrobial strategies.
The roles of metal ions and metalloenzymes in biological systems. Coordination chemistry, spectroscopic characterization of metal centers, and the mechanisms of heme and non-heme iron, zinc, and manganese enzymes are explored alongside synthetic model complexes.
Earlier work includes General Chemistry and preparatory chemistry, including the co-authored workbook Preparatory General Chemistry: Frameworks for Success, designed to support students entering STEM majors.
CUREs replace traditional cookbook labs with authentic research questions. Students collect and interpret real data, collaborate, and communicate results, regardless of prior research access or financial background.
Participation in the national Design2Data network brings structure–function exploration of enzyme variants into the advanced biochemistry laboratory, connecting classroom experiments to ongoing research.
Collaborative multi-course learning communities integrate laboratory research experiences across foundational chemistry courses, strengthening both scientific skills and a sense of scholarly community.
Dr. Stone serves on the leadership council of IONiC VIPEr, a community of practice supporting faculty who teach inorganic and related chemistry. She is Co-Chair of the Chemistry Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) and has contributed to national efforts on CUREs, including an NSF IUSE award and editorial work on an ACS volume on course-based undergraduate research.
These roles support the same goal that guides the classroom: making rigorous, research-connected chemistry education accessible to undergraduates.