Faculty Profile: Dr. Wachter
Dr. Nanette Wachter has been a member of our department for twenty-nine years. After finishing her PhD at the University of Connecticut, she decided she wanted to return home to Long Island to be closer to her family. She had always had an interest in teaching; in fact, her mother was in her tenth year as an adjunct professor of philosophy at Hofstra when she applied here. She ultimately chose to teach at Hofstra because of all of the positive things her mother had to say about the students who attend our University. Just as well, she enjoyed walking through campus and seeing all of the nature within it.
Dr. Wachter has such an interest in chemistry because she has discovered substantial satisfaction in the practice of experimentation. “The whole process, especially if it does not go according to plan, can be incredibly exciting!” she expressed, her hazel eyes sparkling. Drawn to Organic Chemistry specifically, she is able to visualize how molecules attract one another to eventually form something even more complex. She loves to share her own enthusiasm with her students and this makes the topic all the more exciting to teach.
In her current research, Dr. Wachter has been using a combination of molecular modeling and NMR spectroscopy to better understand the reactions of acetophenones with nitric acid. More specifically, she is investigating the benzene ring within the acetophenones that undergoes ring titration after interacting with the acid. The nitro group will not add onto the benzene ring, but will instead attach to the carbon outside of it to create two separate molecules that will eventually join; this final molecule will have a new ring called a furoxan. Researching furoxans is incredibly important to developing treatments for treating hypertension. The nitric oxide they release sends a chemical message in the body that causes blood vessel dilation.
Outside of teaching and conducting research, Dr. Wachter finds joy in spending time with her animals on her farm in Upstate; she has three horses and four dogs. She loves to hike, ski, go riding with her horses on a trail, and going camping. She especially loves being with her children and grandchildren.
