Research

The rich structural diversity, intriguing molecular architectures, and potent biological activities of natural products make these compounds compelling targets for synthesis. However, chemists remain limited by the available methods for the efficient construction of many structural motifs. Research in my group is directed at developing new methods to address these limitations. The approach seeks to conceptualize the most strategically powerful simplification of the target, giving rise to readily available starting materials. This simplification will often demand methodology which does not currently exist, but would have widespread application. Once developed, we will use these methods for the synthesis of a variety of complex natural products. Specific areas of interest include nitrogen-rich alkaloids, enantioselective catalysis, chirality of organic molecules, cascade processes, radical reactions, and organometallic chemistry.

Background

Education

Postdoctoral Fellow (2006 - 2009) University of California - Irvine

Ph.D. (2005) University of California - Berkeley

B.S. (2000) University of Wisconsin

Research areas