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Faculty Research Profiles

2007 Pfizer Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Synthetic Organic Chemistry

www.pfizer.com

This year, the Department of Chemistry has the opportunity to participate in the Pfizer Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship Program in Synthetic Organic Chemistry.

This initiative, sponsored by Pfizer Global Research & Development, provides support to undergraduate chemistry majors for independent research. Preference will be given to outstanding students who propose to engage in a synthetic organic chemistry research project during the summer between their JR and SR years. Each Award will total $5000, with at least $3500 going directly to the student in support of full-time summer research; and up to $1500 going to the academic department  for equipment and supplies for the research project.

The Fellow will conduct full-time research on campus for at least 8 weeks during the summer between their JR and SR years, under the supervision of a faculty member, and prepare a formal report on his/her progress. The culmination of the program is a visit to Pfizer Global Research & Development in Groton, CT by the recipients and their mentors in the fall for an award ceremony and to report on the results of their independent research projects in a poster session.

Synthetic organic chemistry is critical to the discovery of new medicines. The ability to make new chemical entities is the unique province of the synthetic chemist, so Pfizer is actively interested in the future supply of chemists trained in organic synthesis. This Fellowship is designed to help address this important issue.

The chemistry Department may nominate two students for the fellowship for summer 2007. Fellowship recipients will be selected by a Pfizer Advisory Committee using the following criteria:

• Demonstrated interest and talent of the student in synthetic organic chemistry
• Merit and feasibility of the research project
• Commitment of the faculty mentor to support the student in his/her work
• Academic record, particularly in organic chemistry and related sciences, and
• Demonstrated importance of the award in facilitating the personal and career plans of the nominee.

If you are interested in applying, please see Robin Rarick in OC 225, to get the application. It is paper only. Completed nomination packets must be submitted to Robin Rarick by February 19, 2007 (note extended deadline).

Former Pfizer Fellow:

Luisa Gronenberg 2003 (Dr. M.P Doyle & Dr. Neel Ghosh)

Conducting stereoselective organic synthesis using chiral and achiral transition metal catalysts, with the goal of synthesizing products for pharmaceutical applications

Applications are available in OC 225.