Welcome to the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at Gannon University! Our department offers an accepting, nurturing, and supportive environment where students develop strong scientific skills, tackle new challenges, and grow as confident, independent scholars. I’m delighted that you’re taking the time to learn more about our program.
I am an Associate Professor of Chemistry, Co-Director of the Pre-Health Advising Program, and Chair of Celebrate Gannon, the University’s annual research and scholarship symposium. I joined the Gannon community in 2014 and have been teaching chemistry for more than 18 years. I discovered my passion for chemistry in high school and solidified my love for organic chemistry during my graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. As both an organic chemistry instructor and a pre-health advisor, I am deeply committed to mentoring students and supporting them as they navigate academically rigorous coursework and prepare for their future careers.
Outside of work, I am very family-oriented and enjoy spending time with my husband, Patrick, and our two children, Charlie and Lilly. Although I am originally from Pittsburgh, Lake Erie has always been a special part of my life. When I’m not on campus, you’ll often find me at the lake with family and friends—boating, swimming, waterskiing, or simply enjoying time together by the water.
I look forward to working with you and supporting your academic and professional journey at Gannon University.
Courses Taught
As an educator, I am a student-centered, supportive teacher who is deeply committed to mentoring students through one of the most challenging—and often most feared—courses in the chemistry curriculum: organic chemistry. I strive to create a classroom environment where students feel encouraged, capable, and supported as they build confidence and develop problem-solving skills. In addition to teaching, I have conducted undergraduate research since 2015, with a scholarly focus on pedagogical research that enhances teaching and learning in chemistry.
COURSES TAUGHT AT GANNON UNIVERSITY
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CHEM 103 - Chemistry of Life 1
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CHEM 106 - Chemistry of Life 2
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CHEM 107 - Chemistry of Life 2 Laboratory
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CHEM 221 - Organic Chemistry I
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CHEM 222 - Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
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CHEM 224 - Organic Chemistry II
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CHEM 225 - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
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CHEM 323 - Organic Chemistry III
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CHEM 324 - Organic Chemistry III Laboratory
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CHEM 325 - Organic Spectroscopic Methods
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CHEM 326 - Organic Spectroscopic Methods Laboratory
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PRFEL 350 - Professional Ethics and Leadership in Math and Science
COURSES TAUGHT AT WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY
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Chemistry 111L – General Chemistry Laboratory
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Chemistry 155B – The Science of Cooking
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Chemistry 241 – Organic Chemistry I (Part-time Lecturer)
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Chemistry 241L – Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
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Chemistry 242L – Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
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Chemistry 243 – Organic Spectroscopic Methods Course & Laboratory
Educational History
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PhD, Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA), 2012
Thesis Topic: Artificial Receptors for Biomembrane Assays
Advisor: Vladimir Sidorov
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BS, Chemistry, Wheeling Jesuit University (Wheeling, WV), 2003
Advisor: Norman Duffy
Professional Experience
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2026 - Present Co-Chair Pre-Health Advising Program
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2020 - Present Associate Professor of Chemistry, Gannon University
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2014- 2020 Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Gannon University
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2008-2014 Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Washington & Lee University
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Summer 2008 Adjunct Instructor for Organic Laboratory, Virginia Commonwealth University
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2005-2007 Graduate Teaching Assistant (Organic Chemistry), Virginia Commonwealth University
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2004-2005 Graduate Research Assistant, Virginia Commonwealth University
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2003-2004 Graduate Teaching Assistant (Organic Chemistry), Virginia Commonwealth University
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2002-2003 Undergraduate Research, Wheeling Jesuit University
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2001-2003 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (Organic Chemistry)
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2002 NSF REU organic chemistry summer internship under Dr. Suzanne Ruder, Virginia Commonwealth University
Professional Societies
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American Chemical Society (ACS)
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Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR)
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National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP)
Publications
PUBLICATIONS:
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Melvin, A.C., Krise, K.M., Saber, C.A. “Determination of Microcystin-LR in Municipal Water Using HPLC-UV/Vis.” Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research 2017: 237-241 (2017).
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Alty, L.T.; France, M.B.; Alty, I.G.; Saber, C.A.; Smith, D.M. "Synthesis of 1,1-Diphenylethylene (DPE): The Marriage of a Grignard Reaction and a Column Chromatography Experiment" J. Chem. Educ. 2016, 93, 206-209.
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Wehunt, M.P.; Winschel (Saber), C.A.; Khan, A.K.; Guo, T.L.; Abdrakhmanova, G.R.; Sidorov, V. “Controlled Drug Release System Based on pH-Sensitive Chloride-Triggerable Liposomes.” J Liposome Res. 2013, 23(1), 37-46.
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Winschel (Saber), C.A.. Accurate Methodology for Monitoring Biomembrane Events Dissertation, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012, 195 pages.
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Winschel (Saber), C.A.; Kaushik, V.; Abdrakhmanova, G.; Aris, S.M.; Sidorov, V. “New Noninvasive Methodology for Real-time Monitoring of Lipid Flip.” Bioconjugate Chem. 2007, 18, 1507-1515.
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Winschel (Saber), C.A.; Kalidinidi, A.; Zgani, I.; Magruder, J.L.; Sidorov, V. “Receptor for Anionic Pyrene Derivatives Provides the Basis for New Biomembrane Assays.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 14704-14713.
POSTERS/PRESENTATIONS:
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Melvin, A.C., Krise, K.M., Saber, C.A. “Determination of Microcystin-LR in Municipal Water Using HPLC-UV/Vis.” Oral presentation at the 31st Annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research, University of Memphis, April 6th-8th, 2017.
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Winschel, C.A.; Sidorov, V. “Accurate Methodology for Monitoring Real-Time Lipid Flip Events.” Poster presentation given at 9th International Conference on Calixarene Chemistry, University of Maryland, August 6th– 9th, 2007.
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Winschel, C.A.; Sidorov, V. “Active Transport System Using Calix[4]arene Derivatives”. Poster presentation given at 230th National Meeting, Washington, D.C., August 28th – September 2nd, 2005.
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Winschel, C.; Duffy, N. “Anomalous proton NMR of nickel(II) dithiocarbamate complexes in solution”. Poster presentation given at 225th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 23-27th, 2003.
Service
Beyond the classroom, I am actively engaged in service to the University and the broader scientific community. In January 2026, I began serving as Co-Advisor of the Pre-Health Advising Program, working closely with students pursuing careers in healthcare. I also chair Celebrate Gannon, which highlights student research, creative work, and scholarship across disciplines. Professionally, I am an active member of the Erie Section of the American Chemical Society, where I have served as Secretary since 2016 and lead the Chemistry Olympiad program, supporting STEM outreach and student engagement.
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Served as one of three national mentors for the American Chemical Society's (ACS) high school chemistry olympiad from 2016-2018