Christopher Turlington

Dr. Christopher Turlington is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Hope College, where he joined the Department of Chemistry in 2017. His lab focuses on developing transition metal-catalyzed reactions for synthesizing cost-effective organic building blocks for pharmaceuticals and agricultural products.

• Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2015), B.S. in Chemistry from Furman University (2010).

His research integrates transition metal catalysis with polymer chemistry, emphasizing Ruthenium-based systems for nitrile oxidation and polymer-supported oxidants to enhance reaction efficiency. Publications highlight innovations in organometallic polymers and sustainable synthesis using acetonitrile as a feedstock.

• Scientific Awards: ACS-PRF Undergraduate New Investigator Award (2017), NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015), NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2010), Phi Beta Kappa (2010), Goldwater Scholar (2009).

Dr. Turlington serves as a mentor for the student-run ACS Chemistry Club (2019–present), coordinates general chemistry courses (2019–2020), and contributes to the Teaching Science in Prison initiative. His work bridges inorganic chemistry, organic synthesis, and materials science to address challenges in drug manufacturing.