Jamie Ritch

Dr. Jamie Ritch is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Winnipeg, part of the Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex. He holds a B.Sc. (2005) and Ph.D. (2009) in Chemistry from the University of Calgary, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Lethbridge (2009–2011). His research focuses on the synthesis and coordination chemistry of ligands containing heavy chalcogens (selenium and tellurium), exploring structure-activity relationships to design functional metal complexes for applications in catalysis and materials science. He teaches courses in inorganic and organic chemistry and leads the Ritch Group, emphasizing outreach initiatives like Science Rendezvous.

Education:

• B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry, University of Calgary (2005)
• Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry, University of Calgary (2009)
• Postdoctoral Research, University of Lethbridge (2009–2011)

Research Interests: The Ritch Group investigates ligands incorporating selenium and tellurium, aiming to correlate their structural properties with metal complex behavior. Key areas include:

• Development of novel ligands for transition metal catalysis
• Structure-property relationships in heavy chalcogen compounds
• Applications in light-harvesting materials and pharmaceuticals
• Exploration of Canada’s role as a global producer of selenium and tellurium

Articles Trends: Recent publications highlight selenium/tellurium ligand design, crystallographic studies of metal complexes, and computational studies of catalytic systems. A recurring theme is the comparison of phosphorus- and selenium-based ligands in catalytic contexts.

Advising & Grants: While no specific grants are listed, Dr. Ritch mentors students in synthetic chemistry and coordinates laboratory training. His group emphasizes hands-on research, with advising focused on developing student research skills.

Labs & Teams: The Ritch Group operates within the University of Winnipeg’s Chemistry Department, utilizing modern instrumentation for synthetic and analytical chemistry. Collaborations include work on semiconductor materials and catalytic systems.