Rate My Professor Frances Blaikie

Frances Blaikie obtained her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Otago, with her doctoral period spanning from 2003 to 2007. Her research during this time and related contributions were conducted within the Department of Chemistry at the University of Otago. Her work focused on mitochondrial bioenergetics and free radical biology, particularly involving the synthesis of lipophilic compounds for mitochondrial targeting. A key publication is 'Lipophilic triphenylphosphonium cations as tools in mitochondrial bioenergetics and free radical biology' published in 2005 in Biochemistry (Moscow). Another significant paper is 'Superoxide activates uncoupling proteins by generating carbon-centered radicals and initiating lipid peroxidation: studies using a mitochondria-targeted spin trap derived from α-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone', co-authored in 2003 in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. She also contributed to 'Singlet Oxygen Sensor Green®: Photochemical Behavior in Solution and in a Mammalian Cell' in 2011 in Photochemistry and Photobiology, 'A mitochondria-targeted nitroxide is reduced to its hydroxylamine by ubiquinol in mitochondria' in 2008 in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, and 'A mitochondria-targeted S-nitrosothiol modulates respiration, nitrosates thiols, and protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury' in 2009 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. These works highlight her involvement in developing specialized chemical tools for studying mitochondrial processes, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, singlet oxygen detection, nitroxide reduction, and S-nitrosothiol effects on respiration and protection against injury.

Frances Blaikie currently holds the position of Health and Safety Compliance Officer in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Otago. She received travel grants from the University of Otago Division of Science and Chemistry Department.