Synthesis and Catalysis Research
- The Department has a strong nucleus of faculty members working in these areas, including mechanism-based development of new methods and reagents for the synthesis of fine pharmacological organic molecules (Buonora).
- There is a focus on the synthesis of hemes and Ligand-heme systems (Lopez) and organophosphorus-based enzyme inhibitors (Nakayama) as potential drug candidates.
- Others use molecular recognition as a design principle to develop new synthetic molecules that are compatible with and capable of regulating biological function (Schramm).
- Efforts are also focused on researching monolayer-protected nanoparticles including Au, Pd, Pt, and bimetallic nanoparticles suitable for catalytic conversion of organic functional groups (Shon) and preparing organometallic and transition metal compounds with catalytic properties using specially designed organic ligands (Li).
- Current efforts are also focused on development of approaches to synthesize unnatural amino acids and nucleotides derivatized for incorporation in peptides and oligonucleotides via solid phase synthesis (Schwans).
Dr. Paul Buonora
Professor (2000)
RISE Program Director
Organic Synthesis and Catalysis
Paul.Buonora@csulb.edu
Dr. Lijuan Li
Professor (1998)
Department Chair
Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Nanomaterials
Lijuan.Li@csulb.edu
Dr. Marco Lopez
Professor Emeritus (1987)
Organic and Fe(II) Porphyrin Chemistry
Marco.Lopez@csulb.edu
Dr. Eric Marinez
Associate Professor (2003)
HSI-STEM Program Director
Molecular Recognition and Catalysis
Eric.Marinez@csulb.edu
Dr. Kensaku Nakayama
Professor Emeritus (1987)
Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Kensaku.Nakayama@csulb.edu
Dr. Michael Schramm
Professor (2007)
Supramolecular Chemistry and Molecular Recognition
Michael.Schramm@csulb.edu
Dr. Jason Schwans
Associate Professor (2012)
Enzymology
Jason.Schwans@csulb.edu
Dr. Young-Seok Shon
Professor (2006)
Macromolecular, Materials, and Nanoscience
YS.Shon@csulb.edu
Dr. Hadi Tavassol
Assistant Professor (2016)
Materials Chemistry and Catalysis
Hadi.Tavassol@csulb.edu
Dr. Julie Wahlman
Assistant Professor (2022)
Asymmetric Catalysis and Organic
Julie.Wahlman@csulb.edu
