Organic chemistry, undergraduate research, and chemistry of drug design. My teaching philosophy for organic chemistry is to emphasize the importance of understanding chemical reactions, rather than memorization. If a student can comprehend how the chemistry works, they will hold a greater appreciation for the overall science. In addition, they will apply their knowledge base to more complex reactions as the course progresses. Current research projects include the understanding of the fundamental binding mechanism of HIV-1 viral entry inhibitor drugs and the synthesis of small molecules that target cations in water.
