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CHEMISTRY

"..because most importantly, I am a chemist!"

EDUCATION

2019- present: PhD Candidate Organic Chemistry, University of  Ottawa

        Supervisor: Prof. Stephen Newman

2013- 2017: BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of                Ontario Institute of Technology. Cumulative GPA: 3.80.

          Thesis Supervisor: Prof. Yuri Bolshan

Highlighted awards & Honours

NSERC CGS-D         

NSERC PGS-D            

Tito Scaiano Scholarship      

Purdue Pharma Award

Queen Elizabeth Scholar

UOIT STAR Award

Please feel free to download my CV here.

2021-2024

2021

2019

2017

2016

2016

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RESEARCH

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        Currently, I work alongside a team of excellent chemists who hope to solve old problems in chemical catalysis through the application of modern techniques and technologies. I explore the use of nickel catalysis in combination with high-throughput techniques in an attempt to activate bonds that have previously been thought to be inert. Specializing in the application of advanced instruments towards organic synthesis, past experience has seen me use organoboron reagents to diversify pharmaceutically-active compounds, and a diverse range of organometallic species in an attempt to perform difficult reactions towards water splitting and alternative energy production.

Publications

1. Cook, A.; MacLean, H.; St. Onge, P.; Newman, S. G. Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Deoxygenation of Diverse C-O Bond-Bearing Functional Groups. ACS Catal., 2021, 11, 13337-13347.

DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c03980

2. Cook, A.; Clément, R.; Newman, S. G. Reaction Screening in Multiwell Plates: High-Throughput Optimization of a Buchwald-Hartwig Amination. Nature Protocols 2021, 16, 1152-1169. 
 

DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-00452-7

3. Cook, A.; Prakash, S.; Zheng, Y.-Z.; Newman, S. G. Exhaustive Reduction of Esters Enabled by Nickel Catalysis. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 8109-8115.

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c02405

Presentations

1. Cook, A.; Newman, S. G. "Nickel-Catalyzed Deoxygenation: The Hunt for Reactive Intermediates"

         - Awarded first place in oral competitions at 2020 Quebec-Ontario Physical Organic Chemistry Mini-Symposium

         - Awarded first place in oral competitions (Organic Chemistry) at 2021 Chemistry and Biochemistry Graduate
                 Research Conference

         - Awarded first place in oral competitions at 2021 Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute Day

         - Awarded Student Catalysis Presentation Award - First Place at 2021 CCCE | IUPAC Conference

                >> Watch presentation here (originally recorded for CCCE | IUPAC Conference, 2021)

Non-peer  reviewed  publications

1. Cook, A. "Quinine: The Bite is in the Bark!CIC NEWS, Chemical Institute of Canada. Nov. 2021.

         - ChemiSTEAM Invited contribution

2. Cook, A. "The Atomic Connection". CIC NEWS, Chemical Institute of Canada. Mar. 2021

         - ChemiSTEAM Invited contribution

TEACHING

        The end-goal for me has always been a career in teaching. Currently, my sights are set on becoming a university-level research professor. But any excuse to make a difference in lives through the illustration of chemistry sounds like a dream. In year 12, I was introduced to the concept of a vocation; today I can say without a doubt that my vocation lies in teaching and improving the art of chemistry.

        Currently, my teaching experiences include:

Teaching Assistantships :

- Introductory Chemistry I (at Ontario Tech University)

- Introductory Chemistry II (at Ontario Tech University)

- General Chemistry (at uOttawa) [lab demonstrator, tutorial leader]

- Organic Chemistry I (at uOttawa) [lab demonstrator]

- Organic Chemistry I (at uOttawa) [tutorial leader]

- Organic Chemistry II (at uOttawa) [lab demonstrator]

- Synthesis and Analysis of Advanced Materials (at uOttawa)

Course Development

- From Magic to Modernity: Chemistry Through the Ages

Professional Development

- ESG 5300: Theory and Practice of Undergraduate Teaching

- ESG 5310: Communication and Media Relations in Science

- ESG 6100: Technology & University Teaching

- Attended workshops: Teaching at the Summit, Impactful Science:        Beyond the Classroom

For more information, please access my teaching dossier by clicking here.

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