Ryan Murelli

Professor Ryan Murelli is a faculty member at Brooklyn College in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences, with a joint appointment at the CUNY Graduate Center. He teaches organic chemistry and leads research focused on synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and chemical biology, developing novel synthetic methods for biologically active small molecules.

Education:

• B.A. in Chemistry, Hamilton College (2002)
• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Boston College (2007)
• Postdoctoral Training in Chemical Biology, Yale University (2010)

Research Interests: His lab specializes in oxidopyrylium cycloaddition chemistry, α-hydroxytropolones, and their applications in antiviral and antibiotic development. Recent studies include synthesizing atropisomeric colchicine analogs, fluorophores, and investigating chiral axis stability.

Scientific Awards:

• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation CUNY Junior Faculty Award in Science and Engineering ($50,000)

Collaborations and Grants: Recipient of NIH grants (RO1, SCORE), PSC CUNY funding, and internal Brooklyn College Cancer Center grants. Collaborates with labs at Saint Louis University, National Cancer Institute, and other institutions.

Labs and Teams: Leads a dynamic research group at Brooklyn College, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. Alumni have pursued careers in academia, industry, and medicine. The lab focuses on interdisciplinary projects linking synthetic chemistry to biological applications.