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Christopher Newton

Blurred image of a green laser used as background for stylistic purposes.
Assistant Professor

Chris was born and raised in New Zealand, obtaining a BSc (Hons) from Victoria University of Wellington. He then enrolled as a graduate student at the Australian National University under the supervision of Professor Michael Sherburn, where he focused on the development and application of fundamental hydrocarbons in total synthesis. Following his graduation Chris conducted postdoctoral studies in the group of Professor Nicolai Cramer (EPFL, Switzerland), working in the areas of enantioselective CH functionalization and biomimetic natural product synthesis. Chris returned to Australia as a DECRA Fellow at the University of Adelaide, before moving to the University of Georgia (USA) in early 2021 to start as an Assistant Professor

Awards

2021: Thieme Chemistry Journals Award

2020: Daniel Walker Medal

2018: Australian Research Council DECRA Fellowship

2017: Bayer Synthetic Organic Chemistry Postdoc Workshop

2016: EPFL Fellowship

2015: Mander Award

 

Research Areas:
Research Interests:

The art and science of organic synthesis has reached a level where one can envision a synthetic route to almost any designed or natural molecule. Despite this spectacular achievement, the ability to access meaningful quantities of complex organic molecules is often impossible via current means. Traditionally, complex targets are synthesized from cheap, readily available feed-stocks, through lengthy sequences of chemical transformations. Each reaction requires expensive reagents, solvents, specialized equipment, and complex purification procedures, while also generating waste that has to be disposed of appropriately. Research in the Newton group is focused on directly addressing the problem of step-economy through the development of new reactions and strategies that enable the rapid generation of molecular complexity.

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Active areas of research directed towards this means include projects centered around the Diels–Alder reaction, enantioselective CH functionalization, biomimetic natural product synthesis, and the design and application of new chiral ligands.

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Selected Publications:

See here for a complete list

Courses Regularly Taught:
Articles Featuring Christopher Newton

Dr. Melanie Reber and Dr. Christopher Newton, Assistant Professors in the UGA Department of Chemistry, have each received a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for their research.

Lab Personnel

Undergraduate Researcher
Undergraduate Researcher

My Graduate Students


Jessica Budwitz

Graduate Student

Christopher DeAngelis

Graduate Student

Peter Franqui

Graduate Student

Geeta Goyal

Graduate Student

Skyler Hollers

Graduate Student

Jay Lawrence

Graduate Student

Marshall Liss

Graduate Student

David Piland

Graduate Student

Abigail Wester

Graduate Student

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Contact Us!

Assistant to the Department Head: Donna Spotts, 706-542-1919 

Main office phone: 706-542-1919 

Main Email: chem-web@franklin.uga.edu

Head of Chemistry: Prof. Jason Locklin