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College of Sciences & Technology

NS Faculty - Tyra Hessel

Dr. Tyra Hessel's photo

Tyra Hessel

Associate Professor of Chemistry &
Health Professions Chair

Office: N817
713-221-8485
montgomeryt@uhd.edu

Scholarships

​Tyra Hessel, PhD is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) and teaches organic chemistry courses. She began her tenure here in 1994. She is currently serving as the Assistant Chair of the Natural Sciences Department, the Chair of the UHD Health Professions Advisory Committee, and the Faculty Director of the Joint Admissions Medical Program. Dr. Hessel was instrumental in obtaining American Chemistry Society approval for UHD chemistry degrees and the number of chemistry majors has dramatically increased. In 2001 she received the UHD University-wide Teaching Excellence Award, and then in 2008 she received the Outstanding Alumna Award from her undergraduate institution. In addition to teaching organic chemistry, Dr. Hessel teaches undergraduate students how to conduct research to better prepare them for their professional endeavors. Her research interests include using plant products as potential anti-viral and/or anti-cancer agents.

  • Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Houston, 1991
  • M.S. in Chemistry from the Southwest Texas State University, 1984
  • B.S. in Chemistry from the Southwest Texas State University , 1982​​

  • BIOL 3300: Undergraduate Research
  • CHEM 3301: Organic Chemistry I​
  • CHEM 3302: Organic Chemistry II​​

​​Teaching Experience

  • 2001 UHD Excellence in Teaching Award•1994-present Assistant and Associate Professor of Chemistry, UHD•1993 Instructor, Houston Community College, TX.
  • 1991-1994 Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of Houston, TX
  • 13 student research presentations at local and regional meetings since 2006​
    ​

Publications

"The Efficacy of Antiviral Components from Plant Products against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1," Hamida Qavi and Tyra Hessel, Annals of Virology and Research, 2015, Volume 1, No. 1, p. 1001.

"The Texas Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (TAAHP)," Tyra Hessel and Karen de Olivares, The Advisor - The Journal of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions, June 2014, Volume 34, No. 2, p. 37.

Research Interest

In collaboration with Dr. Hamida Qavi, Dr. Hessel studies the efficacy of extracts from garlic, saffron, turmeric, black onion seeds, and neem leaves on Herpes Simples Virus – Type 1 (HSV-1) and on Breast Cancer Cells in Vitro.

Awards

In 2001 Dr. Hessel received the UHD University-wide Teaching Excellence Award, and then in 2008, she received the Outstanding Alumna Award from her undergraduate institution. She has received 9 grant awards since 1998 for chemistry research, chemistry education and Joint Admission Medical Program activities.

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Last updated 6/9/2017 9:16 AM