The drover group
 WESTERN UNIVERSITY, London, ON

GROUP - SUMMER 2023

The FRENCH BULLDOG MASCOTS


Merlot is a black-masked fawn French Bulldog who is from St. John's, Newfoundland (Canada). For some time, she was on the Canadian dog show scene, but quickly outgrew it. When not "resting", she enjoys being walked or fed. She also loves going for car rides, chewing "cheesy bones", and eating fruitables. She is excited to engage with new students joining the lab!



​Cookie is our latest addition - a brindle French Bulldog who was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada). Simply put, Cookie is wild - when not running or zooming about, she enjoys eating, walking, and sleeping (what a great life!). She is also excited to engage with new students joining the lab!

Postdoctoral RESEARCHERS
​

Dr. Marissa Clapson
PhD, University of Calgary (Warren Piers)
Marissa.Clapson@uwindsor.ca
Twitter: @Chemrissa

Hello! My name is Marissa. I completed my PhD at the University of Calgary under the supervision of Dr. Warren Piers with a focus on the development of PCP cobalt carbene complexes for the activation of small molecules. I also have a background in SoTL explorations; developing gamified learning experiences for teaching university level chemistry, which is the foundation of my company ChemEscape Consulting Inc. Now, I am working in the Drover group developing iron fluoride piano-stool complexes for the fluorination of C-H bonds! When I am not in the lab I like to spend my time hiking, reading, drinking wine, and playing board games.
Dr. Suman Debnath
PhD, University of Wyoming (Dean Roddick)
suman.debnath@uwindsor.ca
Twitter: @sumaniitg

Hi, I am Suman. I was born and grew up in Kolkata, a city in the eastern part of India. I obtained my PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from University of Wyoming, United States under the supervision of Prof. Dean Roddick.  My doctoral research primarily focused on the application of novel perfluorinated phosphine ligands (“PFAP’s”) to a variety of challenging problems in metal (particularly in Ru, Os, Ir, Pt) coordination chemistry and homogeneous catalysis, with a particular emphasis on catalytic hydrocarbon dehydrogenation and alkene oligomerization chemistry. I have several years of research experience as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (Prof. Jason England) and Ewha Womans University, South Korea (Prof. Wonwoo Nam) where I worked on developing first-row late transition metal complexes able to activate O2 for catalytic activation of unactivated C-H, O-H, N-H bonds. In the Drover lab, I am working on the development of new molecules for H2 sensing in collaboration with Rondeau-Gagne/Mutus group. Besides chemistry, I enjoy traveling, playing chess and listening to music.
Dr. Pawan Kumar
PhD, Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), |CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (Bipin Kumar Gupta)
pawank@uwindsor.ca

Hello! My name is Pawan Kumar. I obtained a PhD in Physics from CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, India. My research interests are in the development of various luminescent materials/nanomaterials of various shape, morphology,  size, and studying their physical and optical properties for various applications. I have several years research experience as a postdoc at Yonsei University,  South Korea (2018–2020) and University of Oklahoma, USA (2020–2021), Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie Materiaux Télecommunications (INRS-EMT) (2021-2022), Canada. In the Drover/Rondeau-Gagne/Mutus groups, I am working on the development of new molecules for H2 sensing. Outside of research, I like to travel and watch sports. 

GRADUATE TEAM memberS:
​

Joseph Zurakowski (G2)
BSc Carleton University
zurakowj@uwindsor.ca
Twitter: @jzurakowski1
Ph.D. Student 
NSERC Vanier Scholar
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Recipient 
NSERC CGS-M Recipient
New Energy Research Prize Awardee

Hello! My name is Joey, and I started in the Drover lab in September 2020! I grew up in Ottawa and completed my B.Sc. in chemistry at Carleton University. My research in the Drover lab is focused on new opportunities in borane appended transition metal complexes. By adding Lewis acidic boranes into the secondary coordination sphere of transition metals, I hope to influence reactivity at the metal centre and activate small molecules like CO­2, H2, N2 and O2, and study their transformations into value added products. Research is difficult, especially during a pandemic, but it’s the team that makes it all easier. Reach out to me if you’d like to chat about the Drover lab and the research environment here at UWindsor. Outside of research my hobbies include bouldering, reading books (mostly biographies), and eating gluten free food! 
Brady Austen (G2)
BSc University of Windsor
austenb@uwindsor.ca
Twitter: @AustenBrady
Ph.D. Student
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Recipient 
CIC AURIC Award Winner
​New Energy Research Prize Awardee

​Hello! My name is Brady, and I had the pleasure to start in the Drover lab in September 2020. I come from a small town north of Toronto and came to Windsor to study for my B.Sc. in chemistry. After conducting my honours thesis under Marcus’ supervision, I knew that I wanted to continue doing research with the Drover lab. This is when I decided to continue my schooling and do a masters with the Drover lab. When I’m not in the lab, you can find me playing games with my friends, or outside enjoying the nice days with friends and family.
Mitchell Demchuk (G1)
BSc University of Windsor
demchukm@uwindsor.ca
Twitter: @DemchukMitchell
M.Sc. Student ​
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Recipient 

Hi, my name is Mitchell. I am in my fourth year of Honours Chemistry here at the University of Windsor. I am also minoring in biology, as I was a biochemistry major for my first two years. I will be doing my undergraduate thesis with the Drover group and am very excited to see how my project will unfold. On my free time I enjoy playing sports, reading books, playing games, and hanging out with friends. ​
Gabriel Jobin (G1)
BSc Wilfrid Laurier University
​jobing@uwindsor.ca 
Twitter: @gabe_jobin
M.Sc. Student ​
CSC Silver Medal (Honours Chemistry and Math)
​
Hello! My name is Gabe, I moved to Windsor to start in the Drover lab in September 2022. I received my bachelor’s degree at Wilfrid Laurier University in Chemistry and Mathematics. I did my undergraduate research on coordination chemistry and crystallography under Dr. Louise Dawe. It was such an enjoyable experience, I decided to continue my educational journey. Outside of school, my interests include, movies, sports, and going for walks.
Dina Dilinaer (G1)
BSc University of Windsor 
dilinae@uwindsor.ca
Twitter: @DinaGheyret
Ph.D. Student
CSC Silver Medal (Honours Chemistry and Math)
​
Bio and picture forthcoming. 

UNDERGRADUATE TEAM members:

Harvey Sharma (U4)
sharm18o@uwindsor.ca
Windsor IGNITE student
NSERC USRA student
BSc Honors Thesis Student

Hi, I’m Harvey. I am in my third year of Biochemistry at the University of Windsor. I started my research journey with the Drover Lab in September 2021. I look forward to continuing to learn from the team and having fun doing chemistry! On my free time I enjoy working out, playing sports, and spending time with friends and family. 
Paola Noriega (U4)
noriega@uwindsor.ca
Windsor IGNITE student
BSc Honors Thesis Student

Hi, I'm Paola! I am going into my fourth year of Biochemistry at the University of Windsor, after having come back from an 8-month co-op at Johnson & Johnson. I will be completing my Honours Thesis with the Drover group, and am excited to do so! If you can't find me in the lab, I'm likely reading a book or out with friends.
Emily Addison (U3)
addisone@uwindsor.ca

Bio TBD
Trisha Lanaque (U3)
Inorganic Chemistry Exchange (UCalgary)
NSERC USRA Student

Bio TBD
Connor White (U3)
Inorganic Chemistry Exchange (UBC Vancouver)

Bio TBD
Nilarun Koley (G1)
MITACS Globallink Student (IIT Bombay)

​Hi, I am Nilarun from Kolkata, India. I am currently in my first year of MSc in Chemistry at IIT Bombay. I am pleased to be part of the Drover lab for the summer, 2023, thanks to the MITACS Globalink Research Internship (GRI) Program. I am Currently exploring the aspects of Carbon Neutral Technology, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage, Catalysis in renewable energy harvesting. This is a precious opportunity for me to explore 'Sustainable Catalysis in CO2 fixation'. Outside academia, I like to watch movies, play volleyball, hangout with friends.

group, SPRING 2022 (CHEMPROM)

GROUP, SPRING 2023 (CHEMPROM)

FORMER TEAM members:
​

Postdoctoral Researchers:
  • Dr. Moulika Bhattacharyya, 2020-2021​ (Publications: IC 2021 and DT 2021)

Graduate Students:
  • Dante Conflitti, MSc Student, 2022​ Presently: UWindsor Engineering

Visiting Graduate Students:
  • Leah Webster, Imperial College (Chadwick Group), Summer 2022, MITACS UKRI Scholar

Research Associates:
  • Devon Facchinato, BSc Cornell,  2021-2022

Undergraduate Thesis Students:
  • Brady Austen, 2020 (Publications: DT 2021)
  • Mitchell Demchuk, 2021  (Publications: CC 2022 and EurJIC 2022)
  • Harvey Sharma, 2022 (Publications: OM 2022 and CEJ 2023)
  • Paola Noriega, 2022 (Publications: CEJ 2020)

Inorganic Chemistry Exchange Students:
  • Connor Durfy, 2022, Western University
  • Trisha Lanaque, 2023, University of Calgary
  • ​Connor White, 2023, University of British Columbia, Vancouver 

MITACS Globallink Students:
  • Salomé Luce, 2022, ESPCI
  • Nilarun Koley, 2023, IIT Bombay

Undergraduate Students:
  • Maeve Dufour, IGNITE Scholar, 2020-2021 (Publications: CEJ 2021, DT 2020, DT 2021, CEJ 2021) - Current: Graduate Student, Western University
  • Lindsay Lesperance-Nantau, IGNITE Scholar, 2020-2021 (Publications: CEJ 2020 and DT 2020) - Current: Graduate Student in Carmichael Laboratory
  • Kyle Pearcy, Volunteer 2020 - Current: Environmental Technician 
  • Paola Noriega, Volunteer 2019-2020 - Current: Co-op UW Internship Student (Publications: CEJ 2020)
  • Kasey Brown, Outstanding Scholar, 2019-2020 - Current: USRA, Mundle Group (Publications:CC 2022 and IC 2023)
  • Connor Durfy (U4), Inorganic Chemistry Exchange Student, Summer 2022, Western

POSITIONS

We are interested in working with driven and excited co-workers who have an interest in synthesis, including organic and inorganic chemistry. Individual projects will be tailored to the interests of students, but will involve the use of organotransition metal or main-group chemistry to develop molecules, whose properties can be leveraged for exciting and new science!

Please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail: marcus.drover@uwo.ca (for more information, please see my contact page). 


​Graduate students

We are always looking for interested graduate students at the M.Sc. or Ph.D. level of study. Candidates with research experience will be preferred. If interested, please e-mail Marcus a copy of your CV (including the names of 2 potential referees), a transcript (unofficial is OK), and a brief summary about yourself including interests. ​
NSERC (Canadian): http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/index_eng.asp
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS): http://www.uwindsor.ca/education/scholarships-awards/ogs
Mitacs (All): https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/accelerate
Mitacs (International): https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/globalink/globalink-graduate-fellowship
Vanier (All): http://www.vanier.gc.ca/en/home-accueil.html
Fullbright (American): http://www.fulbright.ca/programs/american-students.html

​
​underGraduate students

NSERC USRA: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/UG-PC/USRA-BRPC_eng.asp
Windsor: Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship: https://grad.uwo.ca/finances/external_funding/ogs.html​
ICE Program: https://www.ryerson.ca/ice/
RISE Program: http://www.risecanada.ca


​POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS

Currently, we do not have funds to support PDFs. With that said, there are numerous opportunities for external funding. For appropriately credentialled individuals, Marcus would be happy to lend support for application development. Available avenues include:
NSERC PDF: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PD-NP/PDF-BP_eng.asp
Banting: http://banting.fellowships-bourses.gc.ca/en/home-accueil.html
Mitacs (All): https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/accelerate#postdoc
Fullbright (American): http://www.fulbright.ca/programs/american-scholars.html