Chemistry Faculty Candidate Presentation: Fortune Ononiwu

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC | Fortune Ononiwu, candidate for the full-time faculty position in chemistry, will give a public presentation of his work and research, titled "Synthetic Organic Chemistry in Drug Discovery."

Synthetic Organic Chemistry in Drug Discovery
Chemical compounds produced by living organisms are essential in the quest to discover new therapeutic targets. However, sometimes these products naturally occur in such low quantities or in rare habitats that can make acquiring and studying them challenging. The ability to synthesize natural products in the lab enables researchers to bypass the constraints of the natural system and produce enough material to allow for thorough scientific investigation. To this end, synthetic chemistry is fundamental in medicinal research. A good synthetic strategy is one that builds complexity quickly from simple commercially available starting materials. Ononiwu will discuss his research efforts towards the synthesis of two anti-inflammatory agents, highlighting key transformations and challenges encountered.

Fortune Ononiwu is a PhD candidate in the Nancy Totah Research Lab at Syracuse University. His research is focused on the total synthesis of natural products bearing an oxadecalin core, specifically the anti-inflammatory agents forskolin and phomactin A. In addition to chemical research, Fortune is passionate about creating a classroom dynamic that enables all students to thrive.

To share feedback on this presentation, please email jbullock@bennington.edu.