ISAACS LAB
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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

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Josie Ascione '23
Senior Chemistry major
Josie loves outdoor activities such as running, hiking, and scuba diving. She is a captain of the Holy Cross Women’s Rowing Team and hopes to attend medical school after graduation


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Kathleen Segal ' 23
Senior Chemistry major
​Outside of lab, Kathleen can be found playing the clarinet in the HC orchestra and jazz band, running to one of her many ResLife meetings, or watching Love Island. Following graduation, Kathleen hopes to pursue a PhD in Organic Chemistry.



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   Isabella Castagnetti '23
   Senior Chemistry major
   In her free time, Isabella loves tap dancing and hanging out in the prelab room with her fellow labmates. She is also a     captain of the Holy Cross Women's soccer team and hopes to pursue a career in medicine following graduation.

  

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Clarisse Kerr Abraham '23
Senior Chemistry major
​Clarisse loves photography, speed cubing, anime, and anything cat related. Post-graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in the field of organic chemistry.

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Zachary Tympanick '23
Senior Classics major
Zach is co-chair of Ballroom Dance and Eta Sigma Phi Honors Society. In his spare time, he plays video games, watches anime and loves making TikToks. After graduation, he plan to take a gap year before applying to Medical School.


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Chris Gjino '23
Senior Spanish and LALC (Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean Studies) double major
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Before the growing gas prices, Chris could have been found exploring anywhere outside of his hometown of Worcester. Recently he has been taking long walks and trying to fulfill the missing spark since ending his study abroad program. Post grad, he plans to spend a gap year abroad before applying to med school. ​


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   Omar Afifi '24
   
Junior 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.

   

FORMER GROUP MEMBERS
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