Dong Group Alumni
The Dong group was founded in July 2006 by a team of adventurous students. Since then, we've had many talented students contribute their time, energy, and creativity, including postdoctoral fellows, doctoral students, masters students, undergraduates, and honorary members. Thank you and best wishes in your current endeavors.
Doctoral Students
Thi Phan, Ph.D.
2006 B.Sc. York University
Undergraduate research with Pierre Potvin, Edward Le-Ruff
2011 Ph.D. University of Toronto
Thesis title: Enantioselective Rh-catalyzed hydroacylation of alkenes and ketones, and the Ag-catalyzed hydroamination of cyclopropenes
Current Position: Level II Scientist at Patheon Inc.
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Matthew Coulter, Ph.D.
2006 B.Sc. University of Toronto
Undergraduate research with Cynthia Goh
2011 Ph.D. University of Toronto
Thesis title: Heteroatom directed hydroacylation
Awards: NSERC Industrial postdoctoral fellowship, Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Current Position: TBA
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Tom Hsieh, Ph.D.
2006 B.Sc. University of British Columbia
Industrial experience with Xenon Pharmaceuticals, QLT Inc., and Cardiome Pharma Corp.
2011 Ph.D. University of Toronto
Thesis title: Construction of C-N and C-C bonds en route to nitrogen heterocycles, chiral esters, and erythronolide B
Awards: Croft teaching award, TATP teaching award
Current Position: Postdoctoral research fellow with Derek Gates, University of British Columbia
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Charles Yeung, Ph.D.
2006 B.Sc. University of British Columbia
Undergraduate research with Yan Wang, Mark MacLachlan, Laurel Schaefer
2011 Ph.D. University of Toronto
Thesis title: Activation of CO2, C-H and C-O bonds en route to carboxylic acids, biaryls, and N-containing heterocycles
Awards: CCUCC chemistry doctoral award, Boeringher Ingelheim thesis award, Reaxyx Ph.D. finalist, NSERC postdoctoral fellow, NSERC Andre Hamer, NSERC Julie Payette
Current Position: Postdoctoral fellow with Eric Jacobsen, Harvard University
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Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Xiaodan Zhao
2008 Ph.D. Dailian Institute of Chemical Physics
Thesis advisor: Zhengkun Yu
2008-2010 Dong Group Postdoctoral Fellow, UofT
Publications: (1) Zhao, X.; Dimitrijević, E.; Dong, V. M. "Palladium-Catalyzed C–H Bond Functionalization with Arylsulfonyl Chlorides.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 3466. (2) Zhao, X.; Yeung, C. S.; Dong, V. M. "Palladium-catalyzed ortho-Arylation of O-Phenylcarbamates with Simple Arenes and Sodium Persulfate.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 5837. (3) Yeung, C. S.; Zhao, X.; Borduas, N.; Dong, V. M. "Pd-Catalyzed ortho-Arylation of Phenylacetamides, Benzamides, and Anilides with Simple Arenes using Sodium Persulfate.” Chem. Sci. 2010, 1, 331. (4) Zhao, X.; Dong, V. M. “Carbon-Sulfur Reductive Elimination from Pd(IV) Sulfinate Complexes.” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 932.
Current Position: Research Associate with Tom Rovis, Colorado State University |
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Dr. Yang Li
2006 Ph.D. University of Georgia
Thesis advisor: George Majetich
2006-2008 Dong Group/Song Group Joint Postdoctoral Fellow, UofT
Publications: (1) Li, Y.; Song, D.; Dong, V. M. "Palladium-Catalyzed Olefin Dioxygenation.”J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 2962 (2) Li, Y.; Jardine, K. J.; Tan, R.; Song, D.; Dong, V. M. "Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Carboesterification of Olefins: A Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition.” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2009, 48, 784
Current Position: Research Associate with Stephen Lippard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
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Dr. Zengming Shen
2006 Ph.D. Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry
Thesis advisor: Xiyan Lu
2006-2008 Dong Group Postdoctoral Fellow, UofT
Publications: (1) Shen, Z.; Khan, H. A.; Dong, V. M. "Rh-Catalyzed Carbonyl Hydroacylation: An Enantioselective Approach to Lactones.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 2916 (2) Shen, Z.; Dong, V. M. "Benzofurans Prepared by C-H Bond Functionalization with Acylsilanes.” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2009, 48, 784 (3) Shen, Z.; Dornan, P. K.; Khan, H. A.; Woo, T. K.; Dong, V. M. "Mechanistic Insights into the Rhodium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Ketone Hydroacylation.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 1077
Current Position: Associate Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University |
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Master's students, undergraduates, and honorary members
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| Marc Tremblay July 2006 NSERC Master's Student |
Elton Chan July 2006 Undergraduate |
Eric Mak July 2006 Undergraduate |
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| Tram Nguyen July 2006 Summer Student |
Peter Ng Sept 2006 499 student |
Jackie Hsi Jan 2007 Visiting Student |
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| Khoa Pham May 2007 NSERC Undergraduate |
Steven Zhou May 2007 Undergraduate |
Travis Ancelet June 2007 Summer Student |
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| Matthew Bancerz June 2007 Summer Student |
Ali Rostami June 2007 Summer Student |
Saurabh Patel June 2007 Undergraduate |
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| Angelica Rojas Sept 2007 499 student |
Jane Ni Dec 2007 499 student |
Chloe Wang May 2008 NSERC Undergraduate |
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| Lisa Yeo May 2008 Summer Undergraduate |
Marija Antonic Sept 2008 NSERC Master's Student |
Elena Dimitrijevic Sept 2008 NSERC Master's Student |
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| Kate Jardine Sept 2008 NSERC Master's Student |
Baye Galligan May 2009 NSERC Undergraduate |
Mengzhou Li May 2009 299 Student |
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| Karyn Medcalf May 2009 299 Student |
Macy Chen May 2009 299 Student |
Nadine Borduas Sept 2009 NSERC Master's Student |
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| Priscilla Leung Sept 2009 NSERC Master's Student |
Cynthia Chew Feb 2010 Honorary Member |
Guillaume Martin April 2010 Visiting Student |
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| Joseph Pignatelli Sept 2010 Master's student |
Sylvia Maule Sept 2011 499 Student |
Julien Guillemin April 2011 Visiting Student |
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| David Petrone May 2011 Summer Student |
| The Dong Group memmbers | Photo Gallaries | The Dong Group through the years |