معرفی
Dr. John D. Thoburn is a Professor of Chemistry at Randolph-Macon College. He earned his PhD and MS in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego, and a BS in Chemistry and German from Haverford College. His teaching portfolio includes core courses like Organic Chemistry, Instrumental Methods of Analysis, and the interdisciplinary course Chemistry and Art in the Ancient World, where students recreate historical materials through modern chemical understanding.
Research Focus: Thoburn’s research spans Supramolecular Chemistry, Chiroptical Switches, and Quantum Tunneling. His work involves self-assembled cubic metallocomplexes, chiral recognition properties, host-guest dynamics, and computational studies on isotope effects. Collaborations with Cambridge University have led to 14 top-tier journal publications and an NSF grant.
Publications Trends: His recent articles (2019–2025) emphasize Metal-Organic Cages, Guest Encapsulation, and Dynamic Systems, with subfields including Molecular Transport, Self-Assembly, and Reaction Mechanisms.
Scientific Honors:
- Garnett-Lambert Professor of Chemistry (2024)
- Outstanding Tutor Advocate Award (2022)
- Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award (2020)
- Thomas Branch Teaching Award (2017)
Student Mentorship: Over 32 years, Thoburn has mentored 62 undergraduate researchers, including notable alumni like Henry Castillo and Fred Parks, who pursued PhDs and industry roles. Collaborations with students are evident in publications and NSF-funded projects.
Laboratory & Facilities: His lab utilizes advanced spectroscopy and chromatography equipment, including NMR spectrometers, to study molecular dynamics and host-guest systems.
