Group Mission

Students who join the MCWhite Group should expect to gain expertise in methods development, catalysis, chemical synthesis, kinetics, and physical organic chemistry. Students who want to develop & study novel catalysts, novel reactions while concurrently learning to perform chemical synthesis at a high level in a collaborative environment should strongly consider joining the team!

 

The MCWhite Group aims to discover reactions that change the way scientists make molecules and think about chemical reactivity. Scientists trained in the MCWhite Group become experts in solving complex chemical reactivity and selectivity problems for which there are currently no clear solutions. The ability to face such challenges and overcome them independently as part of a team is an invaluable skill that prepares you to be competitive in your independent career at the highest level.

 

Students completing doctoral or postdoctoral studies in the group are expected to be highly competitive on both a national and international level for top-tier industrial or academic positions. To date, all doctoral students wanting PhD-level industrial positions have gotten them directly out of the group at major chemical companies. All students interested in pursuing an academic track have been competitive for top-tier postdocs at the best universities in the United States and abroad. A comprehensive list of where former MCW students have landed is listed at the end of this document.

 

Talent is diverse and the MCWhite group is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The research in our group benefits tremendously from talented individuals of diverse nationalities, races, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds and genders. We aim to foster an inclusive environment that respects the students' identity and affords them the freedom to be themselves while supporting them to grow as scientists and professionals. We believe that when students' identities feel respected, they are able to perform to their fullest potential. Fostering this environment is the responsibility of MCW as well as all members of the group.