Principal Investigator: Professor André K Isaacs |
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A native of Jamaica, André moved to the US to attend the College of the Holy Cross where he received his B.A. in Chemistry in 2005. As an undergraduate, he conducted research in the labs of Kevin J. Quinn focusing on the total synthesis of annonaceous acetogenins Muricatacin and Rollicosin. He received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 2011 (under the guidance of Professor Jeffery D. Winkler), where he focused on the design and synthesis of novel steroid-derived inhibitors of Hedgehog-signaling, based on the alkaloid cyclopamine. He worked as a post-doctoral researcher with Professor Richmond Sarpong at the University of California, Berkeley, where he focused on the synthesis of diterpenoids and the radiolabeled insecticide chlorantraniliprole. In 2012, Andre accepted a tenure-track position at the College of the Holy Cross. In 2018, Andre was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure. In addition to teaching courses in Organic Chemistry, Andre conducts research utilizing copper-mediated organic transformations. He is one of the co-founding members of Outfront - the college's LGBTQ faculty and staff alliance and serves as faculty advisor to a number of student groups including the Caribbean African Students' Assemblage, acapella group Fools on the Hill and Club Tennis.
Current Group Members
Omar Afifi '24
Senior Chemistry major
Omar enjoys cooking, lifting weights, and teaching. He is the Co-Chair of HCF1RST, the College’s first-generation college student organization, and plans to attend dental school after graduation.
Senior Chemistry major
Omar enjoys cooking, lifting weights, and teaching. He is the Co-Chair of HCF1RST, the College’s first-generation college student organization, and plans to attend dental school after graduation.
Hannah Smyth ' 24
Senior Chemistry and Asian Studies double major
In her free time, Hannah loves listening to live music, attending theatre productions, and eating cheese. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in organic chemistry.
Senior Chemistry and Asian Studies double major
In her free time, Hannah loves listening to live music, attending theatre productions, and eating cheese. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in organic chemistry.
Avelin Thepsomphone '25
Junior Chemistry major and Education minor
Avelin loves to cook, teach elementary school students, discover and try new things. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in organic chemistry.
Junior Chemistry major and Education minor
Avelin loves to cook, teach elementary school students, discover and try new things. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in organic chemistry.
Tabitha Torres '25
Junior Chemistry major
Tabitha spends her free time working out, traveling, and listening to Fleetwood Mac and Noah Kahan. Tabitha also tutors other chemistry students as a PAL and STEM+E tutor. She is looking forward to studying abroad in Leicester, UK, for the Spring 2024 semester.
Junior Chemistry major
Tabitha spends her free time working out, traveling, and listening to Fleetwood Mac and Noah Kahan. Tabitha also tutors other chemistry students as a PAL and STEM+E tutor. She is looking forward to studying abroad in Leicester, UK, for the Spring 2024 semester.
Rodrigo De Leon '25
Junior Chemistry major
Rodrigo is a first generation Mexican-American, who enjoys to dance, cook, weight lift, and listen to live music. He is the lead vocalist for Güero SFR - the college's first Latin American band. He aspires to get a PhD in Organic Chemistry.
Junior Chemistry major
Rodrigo is a first generation Mexican-American, who enjoys to dance, cook, weight lift, and listen to live music. He is the lead vocalist for Güero SFR - the college's first Latin American band. He aspires to get a PhD in Organic Chemistry.
Lucas Mastroianni '25
Junior Chemistry major
Lucas enjoys watching movies, listening to music, and playing for Holy Cross' Club Lacrosse team. He plans to attend dental school after graduation.
Junior Chemistry major
Lucas enjoys watching movies, listening to music, and playing for Holy Cross' Club Lacrosse team. He plans to attend dental school after graduation.