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
RESEARCH
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.
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.
