Our research is focused primarily on the efficient total synthesis of natural products and the development of new bond-forming processes in that pursuit.  We are attracted to natural products whose inherent structural features create opportunities for rapid assembly – opportunities afforded us by the reactivity bestowed upon organic molecules by the carbonyl function and by the manipulation of aromatic systems.  Natural products with promising anti-cancer activity and therapeutic potential are of particular interest.

We are also deeply interested in the manipulation of aromatic systems and bond formations that occur by the temporary loss of aromaticity.  By elevating or inverting the normal reactivity of electron-rich aromatics, we are developing new bond formations that are not easily achieved by classical substitutive chemistry.