Rate My Professor Marvin Payne

Marvin A. Payne, Ph.D., is the Chair and Associate Professor of Biochemistry in La Sierra University's Chemistry & Biochemistry Department. Overcoming early challenges without a high school diploma, he obtained his GED and associate degree from Cisco College, then pursued baccalaureate degrees in Chemistry and Biology, a Master of Science in Biology from Tarleton State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry from the University of North Texas between 1985 and 1992. This trajectory has profoundly shaped his commitment to equity and success for first-generation and underrepresented students.

At La Sierra, Dr. Payne has distinguished himself through administrative leadership as Director of Title V Programs. He serves as Project Director for the Guided Pathways to Success Title V grant and the $7.5 million Pathway Adelante PPOHA grant, which fast-tracks underserved students into graduate programs and health-care careers. In 2021, he spearheaded the acquisition of a $3 million Title V grant to enhance STEM educator training, benefiting students in the Inland Empire K-16 pipeline. Due to these grant responsibilities, he is currently not teaching, though he has taught Organic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Lab, Organic Chemistry Topics, and Senior Seminar in Chemistry & Biochemistry.

His scholarly work centers on biochemistry and enzyme mechanisms, reflected in 10 publications with 114 citations. Notable contributions include "Abstract 1457: The Impact of STEM Bridge on Belonging and Academic Confidence in Underrepresented Groups" (2023), "Using Controlled Environment Agriculture as a Platform for STEM‐Training" (2022), "Exploring Binding Determinants of (s)-allantoin with Proteins via Docking and Molecular Modelling" (2018), "Zinc finger structure-function in Ikaros" (2011), and "Chemical mechanism and Interaction of substrates with D-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase from Rhodopseudomonas spheroides" (1999). Additional research covers bovine serum albumin interactions with nanoparticles, Ikaros tumor suppressor, raffinose oligosaccharides removal, and nasal pungency thresholds. Payne also engages in student mentorship through programs like SEA-PHAGES and La Sierra's Summer Research Experience.