Previous Research

Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (2011-2015)

Developed new reactions that employed the generation of cyanocarbenes from hypervalent iodonium alkynyl triflates (HIAT)

Contributed to the total synthesis of clinprost and was involved with the study of a novel Pd-catalyzed decarboxylation process

Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Florida (2005-2010)

Synthesized nonadentate ligands for the purpose of selective nuclear waste extraction between lanthanides and actinides

Calculated the electronic structures of lanthanide and actinide complexes to show preferential ligand binding to the radially extended 5f orbitals of the actinides over the 4f orbitals of lanthanides

BS in Chemistry, BA in Mathematics at East Carolina University (2001-2005)

Computational chemistry project that demonstrated the drawbacks of using QM/MM methods to elucidate the mechanism of a Rh-catalyzed hydroacylation reaction

Teaching

Besides being a TA at East Carolina University and at the University of Florida, I have taught classes at Guilford Technical Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College, the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and now at Adelphi University. Below is a list of the classes I have been the instructor for.

• Introductory Chemistry
• General Chemistry
• General Chemistry Lab
• Organic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry Lab
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry Lab
• Advanced Organic Chemistry Applied to Drug Design
• Advanced Organic Chemistry
• Applications of Inorganic Chemistry

Service

I have often been referred to as Dr. Demo by my students (and just so we are clear, that stands for Demonstration, not Demolition). I have a fervent belief that chemical demonstrations are the best way to reach the heart of a budding scientist. Demonstrations turn those difficult, and sometimes boring, chemical equations into memorable, spectacular displays.

Since I was 16 years old, I have been performing chemical demonstrations to anyone willing to watch me. I am currently continuing this form of scientific public outreach by being the advisor for the Chemistry Club at Adelphi University, volunteering to be a science fair judge for events like the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair, as well as other chemical demonstration activities.

Shortly after I started my career at Adelphi University in the Fall of 2015, I became the organizer of the both the March and Dakin Lectures. These lecture series bring the best scientists in the nation to Adelphi for a day to talk about their research and how they got to where they are. During these events, our undergraduates have had the opportunity to take Nobel Prize winners to lunch and dinner, and get to ask them questions in a comfortable setting during our weekly chemistry seminar.