David Jenkins, assistant professor of chemistry, has received a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award.
The CAREE
R award is the NSF’s most prestigious honor for junior faculty who demonstrate outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.
“We are delighted that Dr. Jenkins has been chosen for a NSF Career Award,” said Charles Feigerle, department head. “Professor Jenkins has established a record of achievement in research, scholarship, and teaching that places him among the top young academics in his field.”
Jenkins’s award includes a $650,000 grant over five years, beginning May 1, to support his educational activities and research.
“My group has worked very hard over the last few years on this project and has published some great results already,” said Jenkins. “This award confirms that we are on the right track to solving this challenging synthetic chemistry problem.”
Jenkins’s research group will be designing new catalysts for forming aziridines. The aziridine functional group is critically important in biology and synthetic organic chemistry. Aziridines are found in natural products that have antitumor and antibiotic properties, and are crucial in pharmaceutical research.
In addition, Jenkins’ team will work with Central High School in several capacities, including the Pre-Collegiate Scholar Program and the development of new teaching materials for Advanced Preparation Chemistry labs that focus on sustainable synthesis.