Research
Our group explores under-explored concepts in organic and organometallic photochemistry to enable the development of new synthetic technologies. Along the way, we leverage all available physical and analytical tools to study these unique photochemical phenomena to drive deeper understanding and innovation in catalyst design, structure, and function.
Vitamin B6-Inspired Photochemical Methods
Pyridoxal phosphate (PLP, Vitamin B6) is an incredibly versatile cofactor in enzyme catalysis. We are inspired by the synthetic organic chemistry of PLP-dependent enzymes and seek to leverage the unexplored photochemistry of biomimicking catalyst-substrate complexes for the development of value-adding synthetic transformations of amino acids. Work in this area is supported by the NIH and ACS GCI.
Titanium Photocatalysis
Ligand-to-Metal Charge-Transfer is a powerful modality in photochemistry; research efforts have primarily focused on Ce and Fe. We are working to develop LMCT catalysis with organometallic and inorganic Ti complexes, allowing for tuning of reactivity based on coordination environment of the highly Lewis acidic d0 metal center. Work in this area is supported by ACS PRF and SBU OVPR.
Research Support
NIGMS Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA)
R35GM157011
January 2025 – December 2029
This grant will support our work on the development of new synthetic methods mimicking and inspired by Vitamin B6, pyridoxal phosphate.
ACS Petroleum Research Fund Doctoral New Investigator Grant
66427-DNI1
September 2023 – August 2025
This grant will support our work on the fundamental photochemistry of titanium complexes of alcohols, as well as their use for catalytic functionalization of light hydrocarbons and other petrochemicals.
Completed Support
ACS Green Chemistry Institute Pharmaceutical Roundtable Ignition Grant
October 2023 – September 2024
This grant will support our development of radical amination reactions using biomimetic catalysis inspired by radical aminomutase enzymes.
Stony Brook Office of the Vice President for Research Seed Grant
April 2023 – July 2024
This grant supports our collaborative work with Prof. Barney Grubbs to develop catalytic approaches to alcohol derivatization via alkoxyl radicals for small, medium, and large molecule functionalization.
