Spring Speaker Meeting: Dr. Aaron Fields-Forbes

Utilizing a background steeped in both Synthetic and Computational Methodology to provide an eclectic Experience for Undergraduate Research

Dr. Aaron Fields-Forbes, Assistant Professor of Chemsitry and Biochemistry, Gannon University

Abstract:

Asymmetric catalysis is fundamentally important in the creation of molecules that contain chiral centers, which is the case for many biologically active molecules.  The process for choosing an appropriate chiral ligand and metal catalyst to confer high enantioselectivity for a desired stereospecific transformation is mainly accomplished through very expensive throughput experimental methods.  The expense can be dramatically reduced with the use of computational methods that can predict subsets of ligands that will induce high selectivity. This is fertile ground for undergraduate research at a liberal arts institution.  A combination of a theoretical approach (utilizing TS‡ theory) and an experimental approach (through synthetic validation of computational models), provides a rich research environment that reinforces mechanistic understanding while also providing an avenue for honing practical lab skills.