The drover group
 The university of windsor, Windsor, ON

AMBASSADOR BRIDGE, WINDSOR, ON

group, SPRING 2022 (CHEMPROM)

group, summer 2021 (escape room)

Graduate student positions available

merlot - group mascot


Merlot is a French Bulldog who was born in St. John's, Newfoundland (Canada) on February 5, 2015 to Russian parents. 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!

Postdoctoral TEAM members
​

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

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)
TBD@uwindsor.ca
Postdoctoral Researcher

Bio TBA

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 center and activate small molecules like CO­2, H2, N2and 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! 
1. Zurakowski, J.A.; Austen, B.J.H.; Dufour, M.C.; Bhattacharyya, M.; Spasyuk, D.M.; Drover, M.W. Dalton Trans. 2021, 50, 12440-12447. DOI: 10.1039/D1DT02331D

2. Zurakowski, J.A.; Austen, B.J.H.; Drover, M.W. Organometallics 2021, 40, 2450-2457. DOI: 10.1021/acs.organomet.1c00194

3. Zurakowski, J.A.; Bhattacharyya, M.; Spasyuk, D.M.; Drover, M.W.* Inorg. Chem. 2021, 60, 37-41. DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c03409

[9 articles co-published]
Brady Austen (G1)
BSc University of Windsor
austenb@uwindsor.ca
Twitter: @AustenBrady
M.Sc. Student 
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Recipient 
CIC AURIC Award Winner

​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.
1. Zurakowski, J.A.; Austen, B.J.H.; Dufour, M.C.; Bhattacharyya, M.; Spasyuk, D.M.; Drover, M.W. Dalton Trans. 2021, 50, 12440-12447. DOI: 10.1039/D1DT02331D

2. Zurakowski, J.A.; Austen, B.J.H.; Drover, M.W. Organometallics 2021, 40, 2450-2457. DOI: 10.1021/acs.organomet.1c00194

[6 articles co-published]
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. ​
1. Demchuk, M.; Zurakowski, J.A.; Austen, B.J.H.; Nelson, D.J.*; Drover, M.W. Chem. Commun. 2022, 58, 68-71. DOI: 10.1039/D1CC06064C
Gabriel Jobin (G1)
BSc Wilfrid Laurier University
E_mail@uwindsor.ca
M.Sc. Student

​TBA - beginning Sep. 22
Dante Conflitti (G1)
BSc University of Windsor
E_mail@uwindsor.ca
M.Sc. Student

​TBA - beginning Sep. 22
Devon Facchinato (Research Associate)
BSc Cornell University (USA)
Devon.Facchinato@uwindsor.ca
Research Associate

Hi, I’m Devon. I completed my undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Chemical Biological at Cornell University. This is my first research experience so I am looking forward to learning from others in the lab. I like to spend my free time with my family and I also love the outdoors. 
1. Facchinato, D.; Zurakowski, J.A.; Drover, M. W. J. Coord. Chem., 2022 DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2022-mbtxb​

UNDERGRADUATE TEAM members:
​

Harvey Sharma (U4)
sharm18o@uwindsor.ca
Windsor IGNITE student
NSERC USRA 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. 
Salomé Luce (U4)
luces@uwindsor.ca
MITACS Globalink Student - ESPCI

Hi, my name is Salomé. I am a french student at ESPCI, one of France’s leading universities for high-level scientific training. I joined Drover Lab as part of the Mitacs program for the summer of 2022 to continue exploring the world of chemistry research! I am very excited to work with the team members. In my free time, I like reading, playing sport, hanging out with my friends and playing games.
Connor Durfy (U4)
kdurfy@uwo.ca
Inorganic Chemistry Exchange Student - Western Univ.

Hey, I’m Connor! I’m going into my fourth year at Western University, pursuing an Honors Specialization in Integrated Science with Chemistry, and I have the pleasure of joining the Drover group this summer as a part of the Inorganic Chemistry Exchange. I’m excited to be in Windsor and to have the opportunity to learn from a new group of people in a field I’m passionate about! After finishing my undergrad I’m aiming to continue doing research by pursuing a masters and maybe a PhD in inorganic chemistry. In my free time you can find me reading books, watching live music, and getting outside to enjoy the weather with friends!
Paras Gupta (MITACS GLOBALLINK) 

FORMER TEAM members:
​

Postdoctoral Fellows:
  • Dr. Moulika Bhattacharyya, 2020-2021​ (Publications: IC 2021 and DT 2021)
Undergraduates:
  • Maeve Dufour, IGNITE Scholar, 2020-2021 (Publications: CEJ 2020, DT 2020, DT 2021, ChemRXiv 2021) - Current: Darvesh Laboratory, Dalhousie 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 Flores, Volunteer 2019-2020 - Current: Co-op UW Internship Student
  • Kasey Brown, Outstanding Scholar, 2019-2020 - Current: USRA, Mundle Group

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@uwindsor.ca (for more information, please see my contact page). 

DROVER GROUP OFFICE SPACE


​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: http://www1.uwindsor.ca/chemistry/scholarship-awards
ICE Program: https://www.ryerson.ca/ice/
RISE Program: http://www.risecanada.ca


​POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS

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
Mitacs (Chinese): https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/globalink/come-to-canada/early-career-fellowship-china
Fullbright (American): http://www.fulbright.ca/programs/american-scholars.html