Alejandro Bugarin

Alejandro Bugarin is an Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry & Physics at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). He holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Texas A&M University, an M.S. from the University of Texas at El Paso, and a B.S. in Chemistry, Biology, and Pharmacy from the Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas (Mexico). His research group focuses on developing sustainable organic transformations, photochemistry, and catalytic methodologies, with an emphasis on applications in drug discovery and materials science.

• Recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2018)
• Over 55 refereed publications, including peer-reviewed articles and book chapters
• Funded by NIH (R15GM141726), ACS PRF, and FGCU grants

Research interests include the synthesis of novel organic compounds, metal-free cross-coupling reactions, and the design of bioactive molecules. His group has trained numerous undergraduate students, many of whom have won awards for their research (e.g., Kana White, Brian LaPosa, Alena Trinidad). Current projects involve oligoanilines, photoinduced reactions, and antimicrobial agents.

Teaching responsibilities include Organic Chemistry courses (CHM 2210/2211) and senior-level seminars. He leads a vibrant research program engaging both undergraduates and postdoctoral researchers (e.g., Dr. Siddappa Patil, now a Professor at Jain University).

• Key grants: NIH R15 (2021), Wings for the Future (2022), and multiple FGCU seed grants
• Over 15 conference presentations in 2020–2022, including invited talks at ACS National Meetings