معرفی
Masayuki Wasa is an Associate Professor in the Chemistry Department at the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida. He leads the SR-CHEM-WASA LAB, focusing on innovative synthetic methodologies with applications in medicinal chemistry and drug development.
Dr. Wasa received his Ph.D. from The Scripps Research Institute (2007-2012) followed by a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard University (2013-2015).
His research program centers on developing synthetic methods that are cost-effective, efficient, reliable, and selective for advances in human health care. He specifically addresses catalyst deactivation issues in complex molecule synthesis through the design of highly efficient and multi-functional catalyst systems. His work enables direct conversion of complex natural products, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals to various derivatives of interest. His expertise spans C-H activation, asymmetric catalysis, deuterium chemistry, and cooperative catalytic systems.
Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on developing novel catalytic methodologies, particularly using boron-based catalysts like B(C6F5)3 in combination with other catalytic systems. His work bridges fundamental organic chemistry with practical applications in drug development, as evidenced by his emphasis on late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules and deuterium incorporation for metabolic stability.
Dr. Wasa currently serves as Principal Investigator on two active grants: 'Catalytic and Stereoselective C-C-Heteroatom Bond Forming Reactions' funded by the National Institute of Health (NIGMS) and 'Site-Specific Functionalization of Peptides by Cooperative Catalysis' funded by the National Science Foundation.
His laboratory, the SR-CHEM-WASA LAB, is located at 130 Scripps Way #1A2, Jupiter, FL 33458, operating within the UF Scripps Institute's state-of-the-art biomedical research facilities.
