Dr. Andy Mitchell
- About
- Education
- Awards & Honors
- Selected Research
Biography
Andy Mitchell obtained a B.S. in Chemistry at Grove City College (PA) in 2001. He joined the research group of Prof. Daniel Romo at Texas A&M University and completed his Ph.D. in 2008. After two years as a postdoctoral associate with Prof. Jeffrey W. Bode at the University of Pennsylvania, he joined the Department of Chemistry at Illinois State University as an Assistant Professor in 2010 and was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure in 2016 and promoted to Professor in 2021.
Current Courses
CHE 299.014 Independent Honor Study In Chemistry
CHE 499.014 Independent Research For The Master's Thesis
CHE 232.001 Organic Chemistry II
CHE 231.003 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHE 290.014 Research in Chemistry
CHE 490.014 Research In Chemistry
Teaching Interests & Areas
Organic Chemistry
Research Interests & Areas
Often referred to as the central science, chemistry continues to demonstrate utility toward a wide range of scientific disciplines. The development of new reactions occupies a privileged position within the field of chemistry due to extensive applications derived from organic synthesis. Since pioneering syntheses of urea (1828) and acetic acid (1845), organic synthesis has impacted countless technological advances. The theme of our research program is natural product inspired organic synthesis - an enduring training ground for next generation scientists. Our group focuses on the development of new reactions that are either inspired by or directed toward natural products. Several oxidopyrylium-alkene [5+2] cycloadditions are under investigation since the products, bridged polycyclic ethers, are ubiquitous moieties in biologically active natural products. Students learn a variety of skills in this research including laboratory techniques, mechanistic reasoning, interpretation of spectra, and presentation of results.