Christian Rojas

Christian Rojas is Professor of Chemistry at Barnard College, where he has been a faculty member since 1997. He is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry and contributes to the First Year Foundation program. His research focuses on synthetic organic chemistry, particularly the development of methods for nitrogen incorporation and the synthesis of amino sugars.

Education:

• B.A. (With Distinction), University of Virginia
• Ph.D., Indiana University

Professor Rojas's research lies at the intersection of synthetic methodology and carbohydrate chemistry. His work emphasizes nitrogen atom transfer reactions and the construction of 2-amino sugar building blocks, which are crucial in medicinal chemistry and glycobiology. He employs transition metal catalysis, particularly rhodium and iron systems, to achieve stereoselective transformations in glucal and allal derivatives. His group has developed innovative amidoglycosylation strategies using metallanitrenes and acyl nitrenoids, enabling efficient access to biologically relevant glycosides.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in nitrogen-based functionalization of carbohydrates, with a focus on metal-catalyzed C–H activation, photochemical reactions, and molecular rearrangements. These studies contribute to the broader fields of drug discovery and chemical biology by providing new tools for glycoconjugate synthesis.

Scientific Service and Recognition:

• Editor, Molecular Rearrangements in Organic Synthesis (Wiley, 2016)
• Contributor to Name Reactions series and eEROS
• NIH-funded research (NIGMS, 2014–2017)

Professor Rojas has actively mentored undergraduate researchers, many of whom have pursued advanced degrees and careers in science, medicine, and education. His research has been supported by federal grants, and he has contributed significantly to chemical education through scholarly editing and curriculum development. He is currently on sabbatical but remains engaged in research and academic leadership.

He is associated with research groups and collaborative science initiatives at Barnard, particularly within the Chemistry Department and the Summer Research Institute, which supports women in STEM.