The drover group
WESTERN UNIVERSITY, London, ON
GROUP - SUMMER 2024
GROUP - SUMMER 2023
The FRENCH BULLDOGSMerlot 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. Kurt Hoffmann
PhD, Freie Universität Berlin [email protected] Hey! My name is Kurt and I’m a post-doctoral associate in the Drover group at Western University. I moved to London from Berlin, Germany. I have obtained my B. Sc., M. Sc. and Dr. rer. nat. (the German equivalent for a Ph.D.) at the Freie Universität Berlin, which is one of the big three universities this town has to offer for studying chemistry. I conducted the research for my Ph.D. in the group of Prof. Hasenstab-Riedel, where I was working in the fields of fluorine and main-group chemistry. More specifically, I was concerned with studying and applying novel Lewis superacids for the synthesis and isolation of exotic molecules to further investigate their exciting properties. In the Drover group, I now want to delve into organometallic chemistry and apply my skillset to the development of novel molecular systems for the cooperative activation of strong bonds. If I’m not in the lab, I enjoy being outdoors cycling/hiking/climbing, or visiting live music shows. |
GRADUATE TEAM memberS:
Joseph Zurakowski (G3)
BSc Hons. Carleton University [email protected] Twitter: @jzurakowski1 Linkedin: Joseph Zurakowski Ph.D. Candidate NSERC Vanier Scholar Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Recipient NSERC CGS-M/CGS-D Recipient New Energy Research Prize Awardee NSERC MSFSS Hello! I’m Joey, and I completed my B.Sc. (Hons.) in chemistry concentrating in nanotechnology at Carleton University in Ottawa. I subsequently joined the Drover lab to pursue my Ph.D. and I’m in my final year right now. I could not have made a better choice studying organometallic chemistry. I love investigating the mechanisms that govern how metals bond with ligands and substrates, and how these interactions can be leveraged to make new and exciting products. I’ve also had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at Imperial College London (UK) in the Crimmin group working on heterobimetallic chemistry with nickel and aluminum! Overall, I love synthetic chemistry and spending time in the lab. When I’m not at work, you can find me exploring coffee shops and climbing at the gym! |
Brady Austen (G2)
BSc Hons. University of Windsor [email protected] Twitter: @AustenBrady Ph.D. Candidate Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Recipient CIC AURIC Award Winner NSERC PGS-D3 Recipient New Energy Research Prize Awardee I started my research journey with the Drover lab in September 2020 right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was in the early stages of the Drover lab, and it has been such a great experience seeing this group grow and thrive. Originally, I’m from a small town called Tottenham, I came to Windsor to do my undergrad and getting my B.Sc. (Hons.). This is where my interest in organometallic chemistry began. During my Ph.D. here in the Drover lab I am perusing interesting Ni and Co metal complexes with incorporation of a Lewis acidic periphery. My goal is to elicit metal-ligand cooperativity as an aim towards small molecule activation, and to observe differences in reactivity with and without this Lewis acidic secondary coordination sphere. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions regarding our chemistry or graduate school! |
Gabriel Jobin (G2)
BSc Hons. Wilfrid Laurier University [email protected] Twitter: @gabe_jobin Ph.D. Candidate 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 and recently relocated to Western! 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. |
A. Dina Dilinaer (G1)
BSc Hons. University of Windsor [email protected] Twitter: @DinaGheyret Ph.D. Student CSC Silver Medal (Honours Chemistry and Math) Board of Governors Medal in Chemistry & Biochemistry Going Above and Beyond in Research Award Canadian Society for Chemistry Prize Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Studentship Outstanding Scholars Scholarship Hi! My name is Dina and I am a first year PhD student in the Drover Group. I have completed my B.Sc. in Honours Chemistry with Thesis at the University of Windsor, and I was an organic chemist for 5 years. But, it’s never too late to try something new, so now I’m in the transition to become an inorganic/organometallic chemist! On my spare time I enjoy cooking, visual art, and trying new things/exploring. |
Mitchell Demchuk (G2)
BSc Hons. University of Windsor [email protected] Twitter: @DemchukMitchell M.Sc. Student Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Recipient NSERC CGS-M Recipient NSERC PGS-D3 Recipient Hello, I'm Mitchell Demchuk, a second-year M.Sc. student in the Drover Lab at Western University. I embarked on my journey with Dr. Drover's research group as a third-year undergraduate at UWindsor, before proceeding to undertake a fourth-year honours thesis project. My research there focused on Iridium diphosphine complexes featuring a Lewis-acidic secondary coordination sphere. The stimulating atmosphere of our lab and my passion for synthetic organometallic chemistry prompted me join for a master's degree. I am currently engaged with research involving Iridium diphosphine complexes, among other exciting projects. In my free time, I enjoy in reading books, working out, watching shows, and contemplating life's intricacies. |
Emily Addison
BSc Hons. University of Windsor
Chemistry Research Associate
M.Sc. Student
Bio TBA
BSc Hons. University of Windsor
Chemistry Research Associate
M.Sc. Student
Bio TBA
Paola Noriega (RA)
BSc Hons. University of Windsor [email protected] Chemistry Research Associate Hi, I’m Paola! I am the Drover Group’s first student, having reached out in 2019. Due to the pandemic, I took a break from online classes to expand my skills at Johnson & Johnson (Canada) for an 8-month co-op between 2021 and 2022. Upon returning to Windsor, I re-joined the now well-established lab, eager to complete my 4th year thesis with the group. I graduated with a B.Sc. Hons. in Biochemistry from the University of Windsor (2023). Given my time with the lab, I developed a great love and interest for organometallic chemistry. So, I followed my passion to Western University where I now work as a Research Assistant focused on functionalizing charged, borane secondary coordination spheres on different metal centres. If you can’t find me in the lab, I’m either taking NMR or out with friends. |
UNDERGRADUATE TEAM members:
Connor Durfy (U4)
[email protected] Twitter: @ConnorDurfy Chem 4491 Student NSERC CGS-M Recipient Hello! My name is Connor and I’m an honours thesis student in the Drover group as I complete the final year of my BSc. Hons. in Integrated Sciences with Chemistry at Western. I previously worked with the Drover group at the University of Windsor in the summer of 2022 thanks to the Inorganic Chemistry Exchange program. During the 2022-2023 academic year I completed a year-long internship at McCormick Canada. I hope to continue my organometallic pursuits into graduate school following the completion of my bachelor’s degree! When I’m not in the lab you’ll find me organizing events with chem club, hitting the library (for fun), or seeking out live music. |
Jaelyn Bjornerud-Brown (U4)
[email protected] NSERC-USRA (ICE Student from UVictoria) Hi, I am Jae! I am joining the Drover group for the 2024 summer as part of the Inorganic Chemistry Exchange program (ICE). I'm a fourth year Chemistry student at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. At UVic, I am an honours student in organic chemistry, so this summer I will be trying something different and shifting focus to inorganic chemistry. I am working with Paola on synthesizing new ligands with boron in the SCS. We are testing whether when coordinated to a metal center, it will be able to activate small molecules, and conduct other transformations. When I am not in the lab, I love reading, and doing anything outdoors! I am really looking forward to further developing my inorganic chemistry knowledge, and spending a summer in Ontario! |
Ryan Wiebold (U3)
[email protected] Fulbright-Canada MITACS Globalink Student (Georgia Tech, USA) Hi, I’m Ryan! I’m a part of the Drover Group at Western for the 2024 summer, but I’m actually from the United States. I am entering my third year of a bachelor’s in chemistry at Georgia Institute of Technology, where I spent three semesters researching chemical education. I'm researching at Western for the summer through the Fulbright-Canada Globalink MITACS program. I am shifting to wet chemistry this summer, working with Dr. Pavan Mandapati on designing novel PNC and NNC pincer ligands to test their metal complexing properties and affinity for activating small molecules such as CO2. Outside of the lab, I like to watch sports- I am a big Atlanta Braves baseball and Cincinnati Bengals football fan. I also enjoy playing video games and going on walks or hikes. I’m excited to explore Ontario and learn more about Canada during my time here! |
Michelle Huang (U3)
[email protected] ICE Student from UBCV Hi! My name is Michelle and I'm joining the Drover group as a part of the ICE program this summer, where I'll be working with Connor to expand on his work with bimetallic compounds accessed from an iron tuck-in. I just finished my second year in Combined Chemistry and Physics at UBCV, and I am super excited to spend this summer developing my lab skills and learning about organometallics! In my free time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my dog! |
Daniel Murchie (U3)
E-mail TBA
MITACS Globalink Student (Nottingham, UK)
Bio TBA
E-mail TBA
MITACS Globalink Student (Nottingham, UK)
Bio TBA
FORMER TEAM members:
Postdoctoral Researchers:
- Dr. Moulika Bhattacharyya, 2020-2021 (Publications: IC 2021 and DT 2021)
- Dr. Pawan Kumar, 2022-2023
- Dr. Suman Debnath, 2022-2023
- Dr. Marissa Clapson, 2022-2024
- Dr. Kurt Hoffmann, 2023-2024
- Dr. Pavan Mandapati, 2024-
- Dante Conflitti, MSc Student, 2022 Presently: UWindsor Engineering
- Leah Webster, Imperial College (Chadwick Group), Summer 2022, MITACS UKRI Scholar
- Devon Facchinato, BSc Cornell, 2021-2022 Presently: UofT Medicine
- Brady Austen, 2020 (Publications: DT 2021), Presently: Western Chemistry
- Mitchell Demchuk, 2021 (Publications: CC 2022 and EurJIC 2022), Presently: Western Chemistry
- Harvey Sharma, 2022 (Publications: OM 2022 and CEJ 2023), Presently: Wayne State Medicine
- Paola Noriega, 2022 (Publications: CEJ 2020), Presently: Western Chemistry
- Connor Durfy, 2022, Presently: Western Chemistry
- Kristen Perry, 2022, , Presently: MSc Student (UofT)
- Connor Durfy, 2022, Western University
- Trisha Lanaque, 2023, University of Calgary [USRA]
- Connor White, 2023, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
- Jaelyn Bjornerud-Brown, 2024, University of Victoria [USRA]
- Michelle Huang, 2024, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
- Salomé Luce, 2022, ESPCI (France)
- Nilarun Koley, 2023, IIT Bombay (India)
- Ryan Wiebold, 2024, Georgia Tech (USA)
- Daniel Murchie, 2024, Nottingham (UK)
- Maeve Dufour, IGNITE Scholar, 2020-2021 (Publications: CEJ 2021, DT 2020, DT 2021, CEJ 2021) - Presently: Graduate Student, Western
- Lindsay Lesperance-Nantau, IGNITE Scholar, 2020-2021 (Publications: CEJ 2020 and DT 2020) - Presently: Graduate Student in Carmichael Laboratory
- Kyle Pearcy, Volunteer 2020 - Presently: Environmental Technician
- Paola Noriega, Volunteer 2019-2020 - Presently: RA Drover group (Publications: CEJ 2020)
- Kasey Brown, Outstanding Scholar, 2019-2020 - Presently: B.Ed. Student (Publications:CC 2022 and IC 2023)
- Connor Durfy (U4), Inorganic Chemistry Exchange Student, Summer 2022 Presently: Western 4491
- Emily Addison, Summer Researcher 2023 - Presently: 4th Year Honours Student UWindsor w/ Tricia Carmichael
- Harvey Sharma, 2021-2023 - Presently: Medical Researcher at Wayne State University
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: [email protected] (for more information, please see my contact page).
Please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail: [email protected] (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
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
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
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