Chang He (MS in 2009)
B.S. Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Province, China (1995)

Background: Chemical engineer (8 years) with Petrochina ( Jilin City, China). Catalyst design for phenol alkylation; synthesis of ethylene propylene copolymers and chlorosulfonated polyethylenes.

Pamela Cohn (MS in 2006)
B.S. Chemistry, FAU (2004)

For her masters studies, Pam worked on two separate projects and has coauthored four publications in the Lepore Group (a record in the group for MS level). She was one of the original team members to develop nucleophile assisting leaving groups (NALGs)leading to publications in JOC (2005, 70, 8117 and 2006, 71, 3285). Her studies on the kinetics of substitution reactions of aryl sulfonate chelating leaving groups was recently published in JOC (2009, 74, 5290). Pam is currently a senior doctoral student at the University of Florida under the direction of Prof. Castellano.

Deborah Bromfield (MS in 2005)
B.S. University of South Florida (2002).

Deborah's thesis research focused on the development of a new Diels-Alder reaction with allenyl carbonyls as a heterodienes. She also help to develop manganese-mediated reactions leading to the allenes used in her Diels-Alder studies. Her thesis work was published in two JOC articles (2005, 70, 8239 and 2005, 70, 7443). Deborah graduated with her PhD in 2009 from NC State under the direction of Prof. Maria Oliver-Hoyo and is presently an assistant professor of chemistry at Elon University.

Yuanjun He (PhD in 2004)
B.S. Wuxi University of Light Ind, Jiangsu Province, China (1991)
M.S. East China University of Sci & Tech, Shanghai, China (1994)

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

Anita Khoram (MS in 2003)
B.S. Chemistry, FAU (2000)

Anita is the very first student to graduate from the Lepore Group. Her MS thesis concerned the development of a catalytic base-promoted alkyne/allene rearrangement reaction using cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl coordination chemistry. The key goal of this work was to render the rearrangement reaction asymmetric to give highly functionalized non-racemic allenes. Anita's work in this vein was published in JOC (2005, 70, 7443). Anita is currently a chemist at Surface Chemists of Florida.

Dr. Maximillian Silvestri (August 2003-2006)
Ph.D. Medicinal Chemistry, Purdue University
B.S. Chemistry, Central Michigan University

Max is presently employed as a Senior Research Chemist at Nalco (Energy Services Division) in Sugar Land, Texas.

Dr. Anjan Bhunia (2004 - 2006)
Ph.D. Inorganic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology
M.S. Organic Chemistry, Vidyasagar University
B.S. Chemistry, Midnapur College

Anjan is currently a Synthesis Team Leader at Chembiotek, TCG Lifesciences (Calcutta).

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

Zhanhui is currently working as a research Associate in the Chemistry Department, Zhengzhou University ( China)

Dr. Vinod Jairaj (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)

Vinod is currently Head of the Synthetic Chemistry Division at the International Institute of Biotechnology and Toxicology (IIBAT) ( India)

Dr. Zongren Zhang (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)

Zongren is currently a research associate in the Department of Radiology at the Washington University School of Medicine ( St. Louis).

Rian Meginley (2008 - 2009)
B.S. in Chemistry, FAU (2009)

Rian worked with Songye on the development of a stereospecific iodination method using chelating leaving groups. She is now an MS student in the FAU Chemistry program.

Tegan Lavoie (2008 - 2009)
B.S. Chemistry, FAU (2009)

Tegan worked with Pradip Maity on the development of a catalytic allene synthesis method. She is currently pursuing an MS in Biotechnology with emphasis in stem cell research at UF.

Ximena Da Silva (2007 - 2008)
B.S. Chemistry, FAU (2008)

Ximena worked with Debo MOndal on the synthesis of key substrates for leaving group studies. She is now a doctoral student under the direction of Prof. Dougherty at Cal Tech.

Rob Hall (2006-2007)
B.S. Chemistry, FAU (2007)

Tegan worked with Pradip Maity on the development of a catalytic allene synthesis method. She is currently pursuing an MS in Biotechnology with emphasis in stem cell research at UF.

Pamela Damisse (2003 - 2004)
B.S. Chemistry, FAU (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.

Eddie Su Ham (2002 - 2002)
B.S. Chemistry, FAU (2003)

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 Nasiri-Kenari (2001 - 2002)
B.S. Chemistry, FAU (2002)

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 (2001 - 2002)
B.S. Chemistry, FAU (2002)

Rabie obtained a doctorate from Harvard's school of dentistry. In the Lepore group, Rabie spent over two semesters examining new solid-phase chemistry for the synthesis of substituted pyridines.

Dawn Hewett (2001 - 2002)
B.S. Chemistry, FAU (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.

Jason Tatalovich (2002 - 2002)
B.S. Chemistry, FAU (2003)

Jason is now working as a materials chemist in the Membrane Development Division of Enerfuel, Inc. His work includes the synthesis and characterization of various polymers for (PEM) polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Additionally, he is developing applications relative to the catalyst deposition process. EnerFuel's technology can be used in extended range electric vehicles (EREV) and to provide back-up power and point of use energy storage for homes and businesses.