My research interests include chemical mechanisms of biological processes and using these mechanisms to teach fundamental organic chemistry in the classroom, laboratory, and online. We continue to provide students a rigorous study of chemical bonding, reactivity, and synthesis, but are working to incorporate more examples from nature that specifically illustrate salient organic chemistry reactions and mechanisms. We are developing integrative organic chemistry lecture-laboratories to optimize student understanding, performance, and appreciation for chemistry. Students should achieve a level of mastery when theory and practice are combined that is not possible when classes are separated into smaller segments. In addition to these curriculum development efforts at Stanford, I also author online organic chemistry resource materials, including mechanistic problems and videos to accompany textbooks and facilitate student learning.
