Doug Saunders Email & Phone Number

Boulder, Colorado, United States

Medicinal Chemistry

Boulder, Colorado, United States

Colorado, United States

Houston, Texas Area

• Performed liter-scale distillations of crude oil; resulting fractions were sampled by a team of 3 lab chemists to determine >40 physical and chemical properties to assist process chemistry group in purchasing and.
• Responsible for troubleshooting and optimizing complex electrical and mechanical components (e.g. pressure transducers, temperature control systems, and pressure regulation systems) in 4 distillation apparati and… Show.
• Responsible for troubleshooting and optimizing complex electrical and mechanical components (e.g. pressure transducers, temperature control systems, and pressure regulation systems) in 4 distillation apparati and.
• Lead studies to investigate addition of organometallic additives into Cr(VI)-catalyzed PE manufacturing process resulting in >15% production increase (plant trial planned for Q3 2021)
• Strictly adhered to safety and record keeping program; implemented >5 operating procedures for complex and hazardous tasks performed on a routine basis
• Established effective partnerships with refinery and plant personnel to trouble shoot process anomalies and equipment malfunction

Houston, Texas Area

• Designed and optimized modular synthetic route towards novel aza-[1.1.1]bicyclopentane core; research results were incorporated into proposal for NIH R01 grant renewal
• Performed exploratory multi-step route leading to highly substituted cyclopropanes via quasi-Favorski rearrangement
• Routinely performed NMR (1D, 2D, 1H, 13C) and mass spectrometry experiments to quantify reaction yield, compound purity, and elucidate stereochemical information of target compounds
• Actively… Show more
• Actively communicated research results in environments ranging from small-teams to >50 peer audience; small team discussions guided the future synthetic experiments in strained organic compound campaign
• Practiced scientific record keeping of chemical reactions performed, observations, and spectroscopic resultsin adherence to funding organization guidelines

Houston, Texas Area

• Operated gas chromatographs (GC), infrared spectrometers (IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers weekly to collect data for laboratory reports
• Trained peer teaching assistants and 30+ students in proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to maintain safety as top priority
• Processed statistical data on student performance in order to compute final grade distributions
• Encouraged teamwork and communication between peers to solve routine obstacles during… Show more
• Encouraged teamwork and communication between peers to solve routine obstacles during experiments Show less

Los Alamos, NM

• Proposed the method development for an electrochemical oxidation of “hydrazo-” functional groups to “azo- ” counterparts to develop library of high performance energetic materials
• Successfully accessed novel “azo” bis-tetrazine compound that opened new class of energetic materials; previous conditions used harsh oxidative conditions (i.e. Br2) and brominated undesired locations
• Showcased ability to perform advanced chemical laboratory processes and follow multi-step procedures to… Show more
• Showcased ability to perform advanced chemical laboratory processes and follow multi-step procedures to synthesize precursor compounds
• Communicated research findings and future aims with large group of peers in 15-minute oral presentation
• Completed >15 safety modules for the handling of energetic and hazardous chemicals to ensure the safest working environment for myself and team members Show less

Austin, TX

• Compiled free-response mechanism questions and communicated grading criteria to other graders to provide consistent results to over 400+ students
• Evaluated multi-step synthesis questions based on accuracy and mastery of over 50 reactions taught
• Answered technical questions other graders had regarding the interpretation of free-response answers

• Utilized Negishi cross-coupling reaction to optimize multi-step synthetic route to light-metal chelating terpyridine ligands for pH-responsive oligomer project overall saving 6 steps to final product
• Demonstrated use of Pd-catalyzed borylation reactions to develop 4 bis-boronic acid linkers used to study dynamic covalent polymers and synthetic peptide derivatives
• Proposed structural improvements to nitric oxide (NO) detecting fluorophores as a $1500 research fellowship; underwent… Show more
• Proposed structural improvements to nitric oxide (NO) detecting fluorophores as a $1500 research fellowship; underwent 13-step synthesis of di-carboxyl DAF-FM dye variant
• Taught 3 Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) students research techniques of synthetic organic chemistry and proper waste identification and disposal practices Show less

Austin, Texas

• Organized and filed 1000+ specimens in accordance to TEX-LL Herbarium taxonomical protocol
• Trained 2 student assistants in specimen preparation/ preservation techniques
• Restored 250+ damaged/ aged sample packets for fragile specimens dating back to early 1900’s

Graduate Program, Chemistry

Activities and Societies: Fun with Chemistry - Rice University Graduate Student Association

Bachelor'S Degree, Organic Chemistry