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! |
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Postdoctoral RESEARCHERS
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Dr. Pavan Mandapati
PhD, University of Manitoba [email protected] Hello! I'm Pavan, currently working as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Drover Group. I come from Andhra Pradesh, in southern India. After completing my Master's degree at IIT Delhi, I pursued my doctoral studies in Herbert's group at the University of Manitoba. During my PhD, I developed expertise in ligand design, focusing on the synthesis of phenanthridinyl/quinolinyl-based monoanionic N˄N-˄N pincer ligands and their coordination chemistry with d10 metals like Ni, Pd, and Pt. My research also explored the effect of benzannulation on the luminescent properties of platinum(II) complexes, as well as catalysis using nickel(II) complexes. At the Drover Group, my focus is on designing and developing novel ligand frameworks for small molecule activation and homogeneous catalysis, using earth-abundant transition metals. I'm particularly interested in investigating the role of Lewis acids in the secondary coordination sphere (SCS). In my free time, I enjoy playing badminton, taking long drives, and watching movies. |
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GRADUATE TEAM memberS:
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Joseph Zurakowski (G4)
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! |
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Brady Austen (G3)
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! |
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Gabriel Jobin (G3)
BSc Hons. Wilfrid Laurier University [email protected] Twitter: @gabe_jobin Ph.D. Candidate Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Recipient NSERC CGS-M Recipient CSC Silver Medal (Honours Chemistry and Math) My name is Gabe, and I hold a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Mathematics from Wilfrid Laurier University, where I conducted undergraduate research on coordination chemistry and crystallography under Dr. Louise Dawe. I enjoyed the experience so much that I decided to pursue further studies. In 2022, I joined the Drover group, initially at the University of Windsor, and later relocated with the group to Western University. My research focuses on exploring intramolecular interactions between transition metals and Lewis acids to tackle challenging small molecule activations and valuable chemical transformations. I'm particularly interested in developing routes to introduce and utilize aluminum in these synergistic pairings. Outside of the lab, you can find me watching movies, exercising, and dominating in fantasy football. |
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A. Dina Dilinaer (G2)
BSc Hons. University of Windsor [email protected] Twitter: @DinaGheyret Ph.D. Candidate 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. |
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Paola Noriega (G1)
BSc Hons. University of Windsor [email protected] Ph.D. Student 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. |
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Lahiru Kanchana (G1)
BSc Hons. University of Colombo (Sri Lanka) [email protected] Ph.D. Student Hello! I’m Lahiru Kanchana, and I completed my B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, focus on Electrochemistry. Then, I moved to Western University in Canada and joined the Drover Lab to pursue my Ph.D. in the fall of 2024. I am interested in studying organometallic chemistry because I enjoy exploring inorganic complexes. In my free time, I like to play soccer and read books. |
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UNDERGRADUATE TEAM members:
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
- Mitchell Demchuk, MSc Student, 2022-2024 Presently: PhD Student, UBC (Hudson Group)
- 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
- Connor Durfy, Summer 2024 - Presently: Ph.D. Student, UBC (Nichols Group)
- Timothy Menna, Summer 2024 - Presently: Western U. (Completing BSc)
- Michael Szulako, 2023-2024 - Presently: Western U. (Completing BSc)
- Alexandre Almeida, Summer 2024 (joint with Gilroy Group) - Presently: Western U. (Completing BSc)
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