Dr. Heilman is a Biochemist with nearly two decades of teaching experience and extensive pedagogical innovation in both Chemistry and Biochemistry. He is the co-author of the 6th edition of Fundamentals of Biochemistry (Wiley 2024), a widely used and highly recognized text for college biochemistry. His disciplinary research focuses on the discovery and characterization of novel virus proteins that have onco-selective toxicity. His focus on understanding these proteins has led to the development of new techniques for studying cell-selective activities and advances with novel pathways that induce programmed cell death in cancer. Leveraging his passion and talent for teaching alongside his research, he has advised over 100 MQP students with impactful projects leading to awards and publications, and propelling students into top graduate programs across the country. Dr. Heilman has developed and directed several local and national-level summer outreach programs including those dedicated to increasing opportunities for underrepresented students. He routinely delivers workshops on project-based learning, is the founder and Director of the UMMS Project Center, and was the recipient of the 2013 Trustees Award for Outstanding Academic Advising.

Courses Taught:

CH1030 - Kinetics, Equilibirum, and Thermodynamics

CH2640 - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

CH4110 - Protein Structure and Function

CH4130 - Nucleic Acids and Information

CH4150 - Enzymology and Protein Characterizations Laboratory

CH4170 - Experimental Genetic Engineering Laboratory

CH4190/CH540 - Regulation of Gene Expression