Biography

Judith Hooper is an independent consultant providing scientific and technical support and contract research to both the public and private sectors. Her scientific background spans the chemical and biological sciences. The majority of her work has been with industrial clients where she has focused on developing new products and manufacturing schemes that emphasize the economic benefits of environmental stewardship and zero waste processes. She has a particular expertise in the area of inorganic sulfur chemistry that finds use in a variety of applications, including plant nutrition, agriculture, water treatment, materials science, and hazardous waste immobilization. As well as the scientific and technical usefulness of sulfur, her personal interest in the subject has led to a continued study of the history of sulfur in chemistry and metaphor.

Judith received her doctorate in lignin chemistry in 1989 from the University of Washington (Seattle) where she studied with Kyosti Sarkanen. She received a Masters degree in 1985 in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT) where she also received her B.A. magna cum laude in Religion in 1978. Her work in the Religion Department focused on the phenomenology of faith, and the construction of a contemporary theology based on the cognitive models suggested by F.von Hayek and M. Merleu Ponty. This has remained an active area of interest and study.

Selected collaborative research projects:
 
With the Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, Tucson, AZ:
· Develop unique methods for the in situ analysis and identification of Queen bee pheromones
· Evaluate the usefulness of specific sulfur crystal forms as mitocides

With Best Sulfur Products, Fresno, CA: 
·Elucidate the biochemical pathway for sulfur uptake in plants with particular emphasis on intermediates early in the pathway
·Develop environmentally sound and economically feasible processes for large-scale manufacture of various alkaline and alkaline earth thiosulfate 
·Develop test methods and evaluate efficacy of thiosulfates as non-toxic alternatives to standard dechlorination and de-ozonation agents 

With Hickson-Kerley, Phoenix, AZ:
·Develop non-toxic chemistry to replace cyanide leaching of gold and silver

With Repligen Corp., Cambridge, MA:
·Develop industrial applications of enzymes for detoxification of industrially derived substances such as DDT and PCBs 
·Isolation and purification of unique enzymes for use as plant antiviral agents 

Selected Academic Projects:
· Synthesize and evaluate the usefulness of unique sulfur compounds and polymers free radical quenchers and antioxidants in pulp and paper applications.
· Evaluate the role of cell membrane in mediating control of DNA synthesis in bacteria.
· Analyze changes in embryogenesis in the giant moth, Manduca Sexta, as influenced by biochemical and environmental factors.
· Develop methods for converting automotive water treatment sludge into ceramic products 
 

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