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Team

Multidisciplinary Science of the Chemistry of Biological Interactions

Team members are trained with an emphasis on developing and using the tools of chemical synthesis, natural products isolation and characterization, and analytical chemistry address complex challenges in the chemistry of biological interactions.

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Laboratory Technician II

Jennifer McCracken

I work directly with the center’s scientific directors, graduate and undergraduate students to help facilitate their research. I help to manage the Jeffrey laboratory with purchasing, inventory, training students, operating instrumentation, as well as independent work in large and small scale plant extraction and natural product isolations. Outside of the lab my time is joyously spent with my new growing family, traveling, cooking, reading, and singing silly songs to my baby.

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Alex English 2

Ph.D. Candidate

Alex English

My research projects seek to understand how complex biotic and abiotic interactions affect the phytochemical diversity and overall success of tropical and agriculturally relevant plants. I enjoy utilizing my interdisciplinary background to answer ecological questions from a chemical perspective. I am also passionate about chemical education and have been recognized for my success in teaching General, Organic, and Spectroscopic chemistry. When not in the lab I enjoy backpacking, bouldering, and baking sourdough.

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Tanzil Mahmud

Ph.D. Candidate

Tanzil Mahmud

I study extreme photoprotection in lichens and cyanobacteria through natural products discovery and photochemistry. I like summer and meadows. Music moves me.

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Zachary Ledvina

Ph.D. Candidate

Zachary Ledvina

My research focuses on synthetic and biomimetic approaches to synthesizing novel natural products isolated by the Jeffrey Lab. I am consistently pushed and excited by the creativity and puzzle-solving skills that natural product synthesis invokes. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, spending time with friends, working out, and performing with my Opera company.

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Ph.D. Candidate

Brittany George

My research interests focus on the synthesis of natural products. My passions lie in the intricacies and precision required to craft these complex molecules found in nature. I hope to use synthetic methodologies to contribute to the development of novel compounds with potential therapeutic, ecological, and industrial significance. Beyond the lab I enjoy creativity. Painting, drawing, crocheting, and crafting cocktails are a few of the ways I express myself.

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Ph.D. Candidate

Hatice Tugba Selvi

My research focuses on ecologically guided discovery of bioactive natural products. When I’m not in the lab, I like snuggling with my cat and reading books.

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M.S. Student

Jorden Gonseth

I focus on the total synthesis of natural products primarily found in the plant genus Piper. I find solving synthetic problems to be one of the most rewarding aspects of chemistry due to the difficulty and complexity that they provide. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, and snowboarding.

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M.S. Student

Katherine Chacon-Godoy

My research focuses on isolating and characterizing novel natural products using preparative HPLC coupled with MS and NMR spectroscopy. Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling, running and cuddling with my cats.

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Ph.D. Student

Clayton Kincheloe

I research and help develop synthetic pathways for potentially useful natural products. Solving puzzles and problems is one of my favorite things to do, especially in an organic laboratory setting. Although I have a lot to learn, I am excited to see where natural product synthesis will take me. Outside of the lab I enjoy hiking, snowboarding, chess, performance cars, whiskey tasting, weight lifting, and learning about things I have never heard of before.

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Past Members

Garrett Larson, Ph.D. (2025)

Megan Burroughs, Ph.D. (2024)

Christopher Harris, M.S. (2024)

Mary Fennimore, Ph.D. (2021)

Celso Oliveira Jr., Ph.D. (2021)
Casey Philbin, Ph.D. (2019)
Kaitlyn Oschenrider, Ph.D. (2019)
Ryan Littlefield (2015)
Karissa Montes, M.S. (2016)
Michael D. Leonard (2014)
Trang Nguyen, Ph.D. (2015)
Arjun Achyara, Ph.D. (2015)
Devendar Anumandla, Ph.D. (2015)
Korey Barnes, Ph.D. (2014)
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