By education I am an organic chemist with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Organic Chemical Technology, and a PhD degree in Organic Chemistry. From bridgehead radicals with exceptional persistence and absurdly twisted aromatics, to optical polymers for color filters or brightness enhancement films, thermo-responsive surfaces harvesting cell sheets, biomaterials that enhance human mesenchymal stem cells growth or guide progression of wound healing, the research I have worked on probed theories of bonding, tested structure-activity relationships, scouting innovation and invented new things. The thought that one could fathom and control reactions of molecules swirling in a round-bottom flask, the interplay between molecular structure and reactivity of molecules, where theory and experimental rigor must work together to explain or predict fundamental mechanistic pathways and chemical behaviors, is intriguing and fascinating. Teaching has also been a part of my career early on, as merit teaching assistant in graduate school, as a young assistant professor, or a scientist mentoring undergraduate students during their summer internships. Teaching has its own rewards; the thrill of shaping young bright minds into future scientists is exhilarating. Throughout my career I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities to teach and mentor. There is nothing more powerful than knowledge and education, most important tools that can change one's life. My undergraduate interns went on to graduate school, medical school, and ultimately embarked on successful careers in the industry or academia. I am a proponent of learning with an emphasis on understanding and critical thinking, through questions and by breaking down complex information into simple, easy to understand concepts. With a results-driven teaching philosophy, I would welcome the opportunity to share with you my knowledge and understanding of chemistry, and to help you appreciate and share in the excitement of looking for answers and solving difficult problems. Your success would be my reward and motivation.

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