Background: Organometallic and Organic Synthesis, Medicinal Chemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, Catalyst Design & Catalysis, Nano-structured Material and Self Assembly, Porphyrine Chemistry

Background: Synthesis and charge transfer studies of trichromophoric rhodamine materials. Photostability and fluorescence studies of these materials.

Current Projects: Yuanjun’s dissertation research concerns the development of new methods to synthesize highly functionalized allenyl carbonyl compounds. These compounds will serve as important intermediates in the synthesis of iso2 and related analogs. In a separate project, Yuanjun is studying the rate enhancing effect of sonication on the Mitsunobu reaction.

Anita Khoram: Masters Student
B.S. Chemistry, FAU (2000)

Current Projects: Anita is currently developing a catalytic base-promoted alkyne/allene rearrangement reaction using cyclopentadienyl manganese tricabronyl coordination chemistry. A key goal of this work is to render the rearrangement reaction asymmetric to give highly functionalized non-racemic allene.

Deborah Bromfeld: Masters Student
B.S. University of South Florida (2002).

Current Projects: Deborah has thesis research focuses on the development of a new Diels-Alder reaction involving the use of allenyl carbonyls as a heterodienes

Dr. Zhanhui Xu: Postdoctoral Fellow (2002-2003)
Ph.D. Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemistry
M.S. Chemistry, Gaungxi University
B.S. Chemistry, Henan University

Dr. Xu is currently working in the chemical industry in China (Beijing).

 
Dr. Zongren Zhang: Postdoctoral Fellow (2000-2002)
Ph.D. Texas A&M University (1999)
M.S. Texas A&M University (1995)
B.S. Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China (1984)

Dr. Zhang is currently a research associate in the Department of Radiology at the Washington University School of Medicine.

 
Dr. Vinod Jairaj: Postdoctoral Fellow (2000-2002)
Ph.D. The University of Iowa (2000)
M.Sc. St. Joseph's College, Bangalore, India (1991)
B.Sc. Nijalingappa College, Bangalore, India (1989)

Dr. Jairaj is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Chemistry at Syracuse University.

Eddie Su Ham: Undergraduate Researcher
B.S. Chemistry, 2002

Eddie is currently pursuing a degree in medicine. His research in the Lepore Group concerned the solid-phase synthesis of substituted pyridines and pyridine bicycles.

Shideh is currently a high school teacher of chemistry in Florida. Her research in the Lepore group involved the synthesis of a chiral auxiliary to be used in the ongoing allene synthesis methodology projects.

 
Rabie Shanti: Undergraduate Researcher
B.S. Chemistry and Biology, 2002

Rabie is currently a graduate student at Harvard and has set his sights for a career in research dentistry. In the Lepore group, Rabie spent over two semesters examining new solid-phase chemistry for the synthesis of substituted pyridines.
 

 
Dawn Hewett: Undergraduate Researcher
B.S. Biotechnology, 2002

Dawn is interested in a career in medicine or possibly genetics. Dawn spent a semester developing a solid-phase experiment to be used in our sophomore organic laboratory course.

Pamela Damisse: Undergraduate Researcher
B.S. Chemistry (2004)

Pam D. is currently a medical student at the University of Miami. For several semesters in the Lepore Lab, Pam’s research involved the development of new methods to synthesize highly functionalized allenyl carbonyl compounds. Specifically, Pam’s project examined the effect of additive salts on the yield and selectivity of the allene formation reaction.

Jason Tatalovich:Undergraduate Researcher
B.S. Chemistry (2003)

Jason is currently applying his talents in the private sector in the purification and bottling of drinking water.