Huy Tran, Ph.D.

Collaborated with the medicinal chemistry team to synthesize novel compounds for the activation of muscle motor proteins. Performed scale-up of key intermediates (>30g, ~10 steps), reaction optimization of transition metal catalyzed reactions and reaction troubleshooting. Purified and characterized compounds using LC/MS, NMR, and HPLC.

Supervisor: Dr. Louis Barriault Completed a research project demonstrating gold catalyzed aryl-aryl bond formation under ultraviolet irradiation which was summarized in a first author publication.

Conducted research as a part of a drug discovery program under the supervision of a medicinal chemist, gaining experience in drug synthesis, structure activity relationship concepts, and the process of drug discovery, which was summarized in an end of term short seminar. Further trained in laboratory equipment such as LC/MS, Combi-Flash, and microwave synthesis.

Carried out a research project under the supervision of a PhD student into radical cyclization photoredox reactions using gold catalysis with the intention to publish. Developed the ability to critically analyze experimental results, such as by using 1H/13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy.

Supervisor: Dr. Louis Barriault Applications of Lewis acid gold(I) catalysis in natural product total synthesis.

Magna Cum Laude