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The PI: Nicholas Leadbeater

Dr. L.  was born in Birmingham, England which was the center of the Industrial Revolution. He was an undergraduate at the nearby University of Nottingham where he obtained a first-class honors degree in Chemistry. It was during this time he first became interested in alternative methods for making molecules. He did his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge Chemistry Department under the supervision of Professor Lord Lewis of Newnham and Dr. (now Professor) Paul Raithby. His work was focused around the use of photochemistry as a tool for the preparation of new organometallic complexes. He stayed at Cambridge as a University Research Fellow at Girton College. During this time he started working in the area of polymer-supported catalysis. In 1999 he moved to King's College London to take up a lectureship and a Royal Society University Research Fellowship. While there he initiated his program of research using microwave heating in synthetic chemistry. In 2003 he was awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry's Harrison Medal. He moved over the Atlantic in 2004 to his current position at the University of Connecticut.Dr L. obtained tenure in 2010, becoming an Associate Professor, and that same year he was awarded the University of Connecticut Excellence in Teaching award for the Physical Sciences. In 2011, he was awarded a Faculty Development Abroad grant that allowed him to travel to a number of centers of excellence in green chemistry around the world, as well as clock up the air-miles (not so green) Dr L. is the Interim Director of theChemical Innovations Institute, established by the Connecticut legislature in June 2010. The Institute’s mission is to (1) foster green job growth and safer workplaces through encouraging clean technology innovation and use of green chemistry and (2) provide assistance to those that want to use alternatives to chemicals that are harmful to public health and the environment. Wearing his "communicating science to the general public" hat, Dr L has contributed a number of "Academic Minutes" on a local National Public Radio station, talking about topics as diverse as green chemistry, chirality, biofuels, why the sky is blue, and the chemistry behind crusty bread. When not doing chemistry, Dr. L. enjoys cooking (perhaps that's why he likes microwaves), wine, Starbucks coffee, travelling, driving around in his yellow VW Beetle, modern civil aviation, and receiving mention in Chemical & Engineering News.

Current Group: Graduate Students

Trevor Hamlin (Spring 2010-) received his  B.S. in Biochemistry (ACS certified) with departmental distinction from Albright College in 2010. He graduated cum laude and received the Benjamin H. Handorf Chemistry Prize along with the Eileen Walker Memorial Award, both of which are awarded to a Albright senior who exemplified high moral standards and excellence in teaching. During his time at Albright, he worked under the guidance of his mentor, Dr. Christian Hamann. Trevor's research centered on an investigation the stabilizing features of sesquiterpene macrocycles using various computational techniques. He was featured in "Fusion", a newsletter about the sciences at Albright. Trevor has traveled across the United States, presenting his research at various national meetings including: the 239th ACS Spring 2010 meeting in San Francisco, CA, the 41st National Organic Symposium in Boulder, CO, and the 23rd National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Lacrosse, WI. In the summers following his sophomore and junior years, Trevor gained practical experience by completing internships with Innospec Fuel Specialties. Trevor worked on the development of customized additives to enhance the quality of their customer fuel. Some of Trevor's activities outside the research laboratory at Albright included: playing on the Men's Varsity Golf Team, Pi Kappa Phi (Scholarship Chair), Class of 2010 Vice President, Interfraternity Council President and Treasurer as well as being a chemistry lab assistant and tutor. Continuing on to the chemistry graduate program at the University of Connecticut, Trevor was attracted to the NSMG because he felt that his computational background could provide a unique twist to the organic chemistry being done in the Leadbeater laboratory. When not in lab, Trevor enjoys fishing, hiking with his yellow lab Griffin, and off-roading in his Jeep. He is currently working towards his Ph. D. in physical chemistry and would one day like to work in either the fuel or pharmaceutical industries.

Current Group: UnderGaduate Students

Molly Blessing (Fall 2012-)  is a 2011 graduate of Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, CT. She started out studying Molecular and Cell Biology, inspired by working in Dr. Barbara Mellone’s lab as a participant in UConn’s “Mentor Connection” program in summer 2010. After taking general biology and chemistry courses freshman year she realized her true interest lay in chemistry and switched majors accordingly. As a former high school debater she remains fascinated by policy, and hopes to combine this with a passion for chemistry in any future directions. In her ever-elusive free time she enjoys playing the violin in the University Symphony Orchestra, being a member of the UConn Poultry Science Club, reading anything she can lay hands on, and travelling.

Robin Cywar (Spring 2013-) graduated from Danbury High School from 2010 in Danbury, Connecticut. She is pursuing her B.S. in Chemistry at UCONN and will graduate Spring 2014. She joined the group in Spring 2013 after taking Dr. Leadbeater’s Advanced Organic Laboratory course. While enthusiastic about all areas of chemistry, she is focusing on oxoammonium salt-mediated reactions and flow chemistry. Besides doing chemistry, Robin enjoys going on hikes, painting and volunteering at a local cat shelter called Kitty Angels of Connecticut. As one might guess, she really enjoys cats.

Timothy Monos (Summer 2011-) graduated from Hall High School in West Hartford, CT and is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Chemistry at UCONN. Since joining the NSMG, he has worked on a developing a series of laboratory experiments using microwave heating for implanting into the undergraduate teaching laboratory. Tim is next going to embark on a body of work that will form his Senior Thesis. Outside of the lab, Tim is an active member in the UConn Marching Band and Pep Band and loves to travel to any and all of the important sports games.

Meghan Negus (Summer 2011 - )  graduated in 2010 from Hall High School in West Hartford, CT. She is currently a chemical engineering major at UCONN and is also pursuing minors in mathematics and chemistry. She joined the lab in June 2011 as a participant in the UCONN Research Experience for Undergraduates program and loved lab so much she has continued into the school year. She is working on development of flow chemistry. When not in lab or doing schoolwork, Meghan enjoys yoga, skiing, and Irish step dancing.

Rebecca Wiles (Spring 2012 - )  graduated from Londonderry High School in Londonderry, NH in 2011. She is now pursuing her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at UConn. She is the newest undergraduate recruit to the NSMG, joining in Spring 2012 in her second semester of her Freshman year. When not in the lab she enjoys playing the piccolo in the UConn Marching Band, being a part of the UConn Forestry and Wildlife Club, and reading Stephen King novels.