The following funding agencies are acknowledged for generous support of our research (PI grants and student scholarships):
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From left to right: Paul Hayes, Alex Borisov, Breanne Kamenz, Craig Wheaton, Hongsui (Hudson) Sun, Kevin Johnson, Andrea Glover, Jamie Ritch and Sophia Vathracoulis.
For more group photos, click here.
Jamie was born in Prince George, British Columbia. He obtained his B.Sc. in chemistry at the University of Calgary, and remained there to earn his PhD in inorganic chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Tristram Chivers. His graduate research focused on preparing ligands containing heavy chalcogen centers (especially tellurium) and their use in the synthesis of single-source precursors to binary metal tellurides. The aim of his postdoctoral work is to prepare highly reactive transition metal complexes by installing novel bis(phosphido) ligands. Such complexes may be utilized in C-H activation processes.
In his spare time, Jamie enjoys skiing, playing squash and badminton and watching movies.
Hudson originated from China and received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Science before joining the Coordination Chemistry Institute in Nanjing University. He has also worked in a number of other labs including Erik Larsen (KVL, Denmark), Ronald N. Warrener (Central Queensland University, Australia), Uwe Rosenthal (University of Rostock, Germany), William R. Cullen & Brian R. James (University of British Columbia, Canada) and Roland Roesler (University of Calgary, Canada). His research interests cover organic synthesis and organometallic chemistry. Hudson joined the Hayes group in 2010, and his project mainly focuses on chiral phosphine compounds and their coordination complexes, which are potential lactide polymerization catalysts.
Outside of the laboratory he enjoys playing badminton, listening to music, cooking and travelling.
Alex graduated from the State Technological University, St-Petersburg, Russia with a Bachelors degree in Chemical Technology of Polymers in 2005. After spending one year in the U.S. he entered the Masters program at the University of Lethbridge under the supervision of Dr. Paul Hazendonk. His research mainly focuses on studies of phosphazene polymers using advanced techniques offered by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR), as well as syntheses of polymers in collaboration with the Hayes research group. This collaboration recently led to the submission of a manuscript for publication.
Outside of the lab Alex enjoys spending his spare time wandering around the city, reading, working out and snowboarding.
Kevin was born and raised in Victoria, BC and although he's now been transplanted into Alberta, he is still desperately trying to hang onto the so-called westcoast lifestyle. He received his B.Sc. degree in chemistry from the University of Victoria, and has worked in numerous labs across the country involved in such chemistry as performance enhancing drug analyses and pharmaceutical research & development. However, it was at UVic, during his 4th year project working in Dr. Dave Berg's lab, where he was first exposed to lanthanide organometallic chemistry. Resultantly, he decided to venture across the Rocky Mountains in an unspoken vehicle, where he found his home away from home as a grad student in the Hayes group. Kevin's project involves the complexation of tridentate pincer ligands with lanthanide and group 3 metals in order to develop methods for accessing low-valent species.
In his spare time, you'll find Kevin heading towards the slopes with his skis, creating music, running, playing tennis or drinking way too much fair-trade organic coffee (which is likely why he's so jumpy!)
Craig was born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where he moved around and grew up in various small towns across Nova Scotia (including Springfield, which should not be confused with the hometown of the Simpsons). He moved to Sackville, New Brunswick where he completed his honours B.Sc. degree at Mount Allison University under the supervision of Dr. Stacey Wetmore. He then moved further west, to London, Ontario, where he attended the University of Western Ontario to pursue his interest in inorganic chemistry under the supervision of Dr. Dick Puddephatt. During his Masters degree at Western, Craig investigated the self-assembly of polymeric complexes of gold(I) with chiral and racemic bridging ligands, and through this also developed an interest in X-ray crystallography. Craig then decided to continue traveling west, and moved to Lethbridge to start a Ph.D. degree in the Hayes group. Craig is investigating alkali earth metal complexes for the development of lactide polymerization catalysts.
In his spare time (although it is limited...), Craig enjoys playing the guitar, listening to music, cooking, critiquing movies, reading, spending time with his wife, and enjoying the new landscapes of Western Canada.
Andrea is a third-year undergraduate student who calls Fernie, British
Columbia home. She is joining our group to work on the development of catalysts for lactide polymerization. A member of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, she coordinates first year student dinners. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, and skiing.
George was born in Lethbridge and raised on a farm near Picture Butte, Alberta. He is a fourth year undergraduate student, majoring in general sciences with a focus in chemistry, physics and math. George is pursuing a Bachelor in Education degree with the intent of teaching high school science and math.
Outside of school, George enjoys spending time with his wife and family. He also enjoys working on the farm, where he has been a part time employee for nine years, milking cows as well as working in the fields.
Breanne Kamenz was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but has lived in southern Alberta for the majority of her life. She is in the third year of her undergraduate degree in chemistry, and is currently working on the synthesis of monoanionic ligands to support lanthanide complexes. As President of the on campus Chemistry and Biochemistry Club, Breanne enjoys planning events for the club members. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, playing the piano, and reading.
Sophia was born in Edmonton, but grew up in Southern Alberta. She is a
third-year undergraduate Neuroscience student, joining us to investigate the synthesis and coordination chemistry of bis(phosphido) ligands. In her spare time, Sophia explores her passion for music. She is a music teacher (voice and piano) and an active member and performer in both Music Society and Musical Theatre Club.
The following funding agencies are acknowledged for generous support of our research (PI grants and student scholarships):
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