James A. Peliska, PhD

Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences
Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry
Fellow in Catholic Studies

School of Arts & Sciences

About Me

I started my academic career as a professor at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. At Michigan, I developed my ongoing research program in HIV-1 replication, and I was involved in the initiation of their undergraduate Biochemistry program. For the last 20 years, I have been a leader in Catholic higher education as a professor, as a department chair, and in my current role as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, overseeing these programs at the University of Mary. I maintain an active student-engaged research program in HIV-1 drug discovery and work with colleagues in the development of modern and relevant courses in the sciences.

Why I’m At Mary

I am at the University of Mary because it is one of the few universities I have encountered where one can engage with students in the rigorous pursuit of scientific inquiry while remaining fully integrated into a faithful and authentically Catholic university culture. I moved to Mary five years ago because I believe that this university is making a real difference in the development of servant leaders, and is quickly becoming a leader in Catholic higher education. It is exciting to be a part of this great project.

Expertise

My scientific expertise is in the areas of chemistry and biochemistry. From an administrative perspective, I have extensive experience in program and curriculum development.

Viranga, L.M., A. Tillekeratne, A. Sherette, J.A. Fulmer, L. Hupe, D. Hupe, S. Gabbara, J.A. Peliska, and R.A. Hudson. (2002). “ChemInform Abstract: Differential Inhibition of Polymerase and Strand-Transfer Activities of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase,” CHEMINFORM. 33(24).

Tillekeratne, L.M., A. Sherette, J.A. Fulmer, L. Hupe, D. Hupe, S. Gabbara, J.A. Peliska, and R.A. Hudson. (2002). “Differential Inhibition of Polymerase and Strand-Transfer Activities of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase,” Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 12(4):525-8.

Jiang, P., J.A. Peliska, and A.J. Ninfa. (2001). “Asymmetry in the Autophosphorylation of the Two Component Regulatory System Transmitter Protein Nitrogen Regulator II of Escherichia Coli.,” Biochemistry. 39:5057-5065.

Davis, W., J. Tomsho, S. Nikam, E.M. Cook, D. Somand and J.A. Peliska. (2000). “Inhibition of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Catalyzed DNA Strand Transfer Reactions by the 4-Chlorophenylhydrazone of Mesoxalic Acid,” Biochemistry. 46:14279-14291.

Ninfa, A.J., P. Jiang, M.R. Atkinson, and J.A. Peliska. “Integration of Antagonistic Signals in the Regulation of Bacterial Nitrogen Assimilation,” Current Topics Cellular Regulation. 36:32-75.

Gabbara, S., W. Davis, L. Hupe, D. Hupe, and J.A. Peliska. (1999). “Inhibitors of DNA Strand Transfer Reactions Catalyzed by HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase,” Biochemistry. 38:13070-13076.

Davis, W., S. Gabbara, D. Hupe and J.A. Peliska. (1999). “Actinomycin D Inhibition of DNA Strand Transfer Reactions Catalyzed by HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase and Nucleocapsid Protein,” Biochemistry. 37:14213-14221.

Jiang, P., J.A. Peliska, and A.J. Ninfa. (1998). “The Regulation of Escherichia Coli Glutamine Synthetase Revisited: Role of 2-Ketoglutarate in the Regulation of Glutamine Synthetase Adenylylation State,” Biochemistry. 37:12802-12810.

Jiang, P., J.A. Peliska, and A.J. Ninfa. (1998). “Reconstitution of the Signal-Transduction Bicyclic Cascade Responsible for the Regulation of Ntr Gene Transcription in Eschericia Coli,” Biochemistry. 37:12795-12801.

Jiang, P., J.A. Peliska, and A.J. Ninfa. (1998). “Enzymological Characterization of the Signal-Transducing Uridylyltransferase/Uridylyl-Removing Enzyme of Escherichia Coli and its Interaction with the PII Protein,” Biochemistry. 37:12782-12794.

Furey, S., C. Joyce, M. Osborn, D. Klenerman, J.A. Peliska, and S. Balasubramanian. (1998). “Use of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer to Investigate the Conformation of DNA Substrates Bound to the Klenow Fragment,” Biochemistry. 37:2979-2990.

Peliska, J.A., S. Balasubramanian, D.P. Giedroc, C. Debouck, and S.J. Benkovic. (1994). “Recombinant HIV-1 Nucleocapsid Protein Accelerates HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Catalyzed DNA Strand Transfer Reactions and Modulates RNase H Activity,” Biochemistry. 33:13817-13823.

Peliska, J.A., and S.J. Benkovic. (1994). “The Fidelity of In Vitro DNA Strand Transfer Reactions Catalyzed by HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase,” Biochemistry. 33: 3890-3895.

Peliska, J.A., and S.J. Benkovic. (1992). “A Handy Enzyme for Transcription,” Current Biology. 2(10): 521-523.

Peliska, J.A., and S.J. Benkovic. (1992). “Mechanism of DNA Strand Transfer Reactions Catalyzed By HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase,” Science. 258: 1112-1118.

Peliska, J.A., and M.H. O'Leary. (1991). “Sulfuryl Transfer Catalyzed by Phosphokinases,” Biochemistry. 30:1049-1057.

Peliska, J.A., and M.H. O'Leary. (1989). “Sulfuryl Transfer Catalyzed by Pyruvate Kinase,” Biochemistry. 28:1604-1611.

Education

BS (Biology/Chemistry): Northland College, 1985
PhD (Chemistry): University of Wisconsin — Madison
NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship — Penn State University