February 2017
Mike is a fifth year student in the Brown lab by way of Lubbock, Texas. He earned his B.S. in chemistry at Texas Tech University in 2012 and moved to Bloomington shortly thereafter to start his graduate research. His current research focuses on the development of novel catalytic enantioselective [2+2] cycloaddition methodology to arrive functionalized cyclobutane compounds. In his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife Laura and dog Posey.
“’You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take’ –Wayne Gretzky” – Michael Scott
February 2017
Katie is from Augusta, Ga. She attended college at Mercer University and earned her B.S. in May of 2013. While at Mercer, Katie did undergraduate research in the lab of Dr. Adam Kiefer. In the Brown lab at IU, Katie has mostly worked in the area of stereospecific cross coupling via copper/palladium synergistic catalysis. She is currently President of the Chemistry Graduate Representative Committee (ChemGRC). Her hobbies include reading, fishing, and daydreaming of sitting on a beach somewhere.
“I sneezed on the beat and the beat got sicker.” – Beyoncé
February 2017
Ali was born in West Palm Beach, FL and grew up in Marietta, GA. In 2016, she earned her B.S in Chemistry with Secondary Education certification at Mercer University where she performed undergraduate research under Professor David Goode. During her time at Mercer, she helped start the Mercer University Marching Band as the Head Drum Major for three years. In the Brown group, Ali works in field of transition metal catalyzed borylation of alkenes. In her free time, Ali enjoys volunteering for the Special Olympics, playing with her niece and nephew, and dancing.
“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” -Dr. Seuss
November 2017
Renyu grew up in Chengdu, China. He did his undergraduate studies at Nankai University, during which he finished his bachelor thesis with Prof. David Sarlah at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, working on a total synthesis. After obtaining his B.S. in 2016, he spent a year with Prof. Zhen Yang at Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School for further organic synthesis training. In 2017, driven by deep interest in organic synthesis, Renyu joined the Brown Group and is working on cyclobutane-containing natural product synthesis. In his spare time, he likes sleeping, playing computer games and traveling.
“Don’t worry, be happy.” – Shadow Hunter from Warcraft III