General research interests: Exploring heterogeneous catalytic processes as alternative for green pathways from biomass-based resource toward chemical commodities.

2006 Fall:

Comparative study of cis-1,2-cyclohexanediol and trans-1,2-cyclohexane diols absorption on Pd/C, Ru/C, and Cr2Cu2O5. Student: Richard LaCoursiere

2006 Summer:

Insight into the mechanism of diol hydrogenation on metal catalysts: Student: Gretchen Ludeman , teacher at Kelloggsville High school in Grand Rapids, MI, and graduate students in the Master in Education-Chemistry concentration program student at GVSU

Reducing alkenes like nature does: probing the stereoselective hydrogenation ability of sugars facilitated by metals such as Pd and Ru. Student: Tadas Kasputis

2006 Winter:

Comparative study of 1,2-hexanediol and 1,2-cyclohexane diols in heterogeneous catalysis on Pd/C. Student: Richard LaCoursiere

2005 Summer:

Polyols as transfer hydrogenation donors on metal catalysts Student: Katie Cornish

Pdn clusters interaction with atomic H, C, and O. Student: Jesse Lutz

Cyclic diols hydrogenolysis-a quantitative analysis Student: Cynthia Luxford

2005 Winter

Intriguing Racemization of Vicinal Polyols in Catalytic Conditions Student: Cynthia Luxford.

Interactions between Alcohols and Metals Student: Michael Schmuker.

2004 Fall

Biomass-derived sugars as source for commodity chemicals: cis- and trans-1,2- and 1,3-cyclic diols as model compounds for monosugar isomerization and hydrogenolysis under heterogenous conditions Student: Cynthia Luxford

2004 Summer:

Biomass-derived sugars as source for commodity chemicals: cis- and trans-1,2- and 1,3-cyclic diols as model compounds for monosugar isomerization and hydrogenolysis under heterogenous conditions Student: Cynthia Luxford

The mechanism of 1,3 diols hydrogenolysis Student: Grant Bailey.

2004 Winter:

Investigation of aqueous-phase heterogeneous hydrogenolysis of cyclic alcohols: modeling the biomass derived sugar chemistry Student: Ajdin Kavara

Ring energetics in 1,2-cyclopentanediol and 1,3-cyclohexanediol Student: Grant Bailey

2003 Fall:

Separation and Racemization of 1,3-cyclohexandiols in Heterogeneous Catalytic Conditions Student: Ajdin Kavara.

Student update:

Ajdin is currently completing his Ph.D. at University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, with Prof. Mark Banaszak Holl.

Grant is currently in his second semester (class 2010) in Medical School at Wayne State University.

Mike is in the process to start his graduate studies in Medical School. Not decided yet between Wayne State and University of Chicago.

Jesse is currently is his first year in the graduate school pursuing a Ph.D. career at Michigan State University, with Professor David Weliky.

Cynthia is currently completing her bachelor degree with the Education certification.

Katie graduated from GVSU in December 06 and is currently waiting for the results of her application for graduate school.