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(i) Professional Preparation
Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Iowa State University, 1980
B.S. in Chemistry and Secondary Education, Slippery Rock State College, 1974
(ii) Appointments
1991–present Professor of Chemistry, Iowa State University
1987–1991 Associate Professor of Chemistry, Iowa State University
1982–1987 Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Iowa State University
1981 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Iowa State University
(iii) Selected publications most relevant to forensics
Amad, M.H. and R.S. Houk. "Mass Resolution of ~20,000 with a Multiple Pass Quadrupole Mass Analyzer with Pulsed Ion Injection." J. Amer. Soc. Mass Spectrom 11 (2000): 407-415.
Leach, J.J., L.A. Allen, D.B. Aeschliman, and R.S. Houk. "Calibration of Laser Ablation ICP-MS Using Standard Additions with Dried Solution Aerosols." Anal. Chem. 71 (1999): 440-445.
Mollah, S., A. Pris, S.K. Johnson, A.B. Gwizdala, and R.S. Houk. "Identification of Metal Cations, Metal Anions, Complexes and Complexing Agents by Electrospray MS in the Negative Ion Mode." Anal. Chem. 72 (2000): 985-991.
Praphairaksit, N. and R.S. Houk. "Attenuation of Matrix Effects in ICP-MS with a Supplemental Electron Source Inside the Skimmer." Anal. Chem. 72 (2000): 2351-2356.
Wang, J., D. Dreessen, D.R. Wiederin, and R.S. Houk. "Identification of Trace Metals Bound to Proteins in Human Serum and to DNA by Size Exclusion Chromatography with Detection by ICP Magnetic Sector MS." J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 120 (1998): 5793-5799.
(iv) Synergistic activities
a. Directly in Forensics. Dr. Houk served as an Expert Witness in a lawsuit between Glaxo and Genetech. He determined the copper content of some antibody-based anticancer drugs using ICP-MS. He testified in deposition and in Federal court concerning findings. He directs a research project funded by a cooperative agreement between FBI and NN-20, USDOE, Laser Ablation ICP-MS for Profiling Solids as Evidence, ~$75K/yr. FY 2000-2003.
b. Other Dr. Houk received the ACS Award in Chemical Instrumentation in 1993; the Anachem Award in 2000; the Maurice F. Hasler Award, Pittsburgh Conference 1993; the Lester W. Strock Award, Society for Applied Spectroscopy in 1986; the Wilkinson Teaching Award, Iowa State University in 1993; and a Research Excellence Award, Iowa State University in 2000. His original ICP-MS paper reprinted as "one of the 60 most influential papers published in the journal Analytical Chemistry," in 1994. He serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Spectrochimica Acta, Part B (1989-present). Dr. Houk was also a Guest Professor, Department of Chemistry, Wuham University, PRC in 1996.