John Toscano

John P. Toscano is a professor of chemistry in the School of Arts and Sciences and serves as the program chair over the Center for Biotechnology Education within the AAP division of KSAS. He was previously vice dean for natural sciences, where he served as liaison with the chairs of the school’s natural science departments to ensure the highest quality undergraduate experience, as well as to think through space planning and research infrastructure needs and opportunities for interdisciplinary endeavors. He was an important partner to the science chairs and the dean in the recruitment of faculty and issues concerning tenure and promotion, and he represented the school and cultivated ties with other science-intensive divisions of the university, as well as with external institutions for scientific research. Moreover, Dr. Toscano worked with the university’s technology transfer office and maintained responsibility for research reporting and compliance issues.

A highly accomplished scientist, Dr. Toscano’s main interests are currently focused on the study of the fundamental chemistry and biology of small molecule bioactive signaling agents such as nitric oxide (NO). In particular, his research has focused on two such small molecules of recent interest – nitroxyl (HNO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and their cardioprotective properties.

Dr. Toscano received his baccalaureate degree in chemistry from Princeton University and his doctoral degree in organic chemistry from Yale University. After completing a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral fellowship in organic chemistry at Ohio State University, he joined the Johns Hopkins University Department of Chemistry in 1995 as an assistant professor. He became a full professor in 2003, vice-chair of the department in 2004, and served as chair from 2005 to 2011 and again from 2013 to 2014.

Review Dr. Toscano’s research and publications.