معرفی
Nicholas Shaw serves as Associate Professor and Research Mentor in the Department of Chemistry at Appalachian State University's College of Arts and Sciences, teaching organic chemistry courses and laboratories since 2015.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry from Clemson University (2010), developing neomycin B-derived aminoglycoside antibiotics under Dr. Dev P. Arya.
Research Interests: Dr. Shaw pioneers nano-reactor technology to overcome persistent challenges in organic synthesis—including extended reaction times and suboptimal yields—by confining reactants to nanoscale environments. His group applies these methodologies to biodiesel fuel production, drug design, peptide synthesis, and medicinal chemistry while simultaneously innovating chemistry education tools that cultivate chemist-like thinking in students.
Research Impact: His publication portfolio, though currently limited to educational frameworks for undergraduate research, demonstrates a strategic focus on translating nano-reactor innovations into commercial applications through biodiesel and aspartame synthesis pathways.
Grants and Funding: Secured multiple substantial grants including the Research Institute for Environment, Energy, and Economics grant for 'Don’t Worry, Bee Happy: Using Sugar Waste as a Feedstock for Fuel Ethanol and Apiculture', Appalachian State University Summer Grant for 'Nano-Reactor Commercial Scale Synthesis of Biodiesel Fuel', Chancellor’s Appalachian Innovation Scholars Program, Appalachian Energy Center Open Grant for 'Toward Commercialization – From the Laboratory to Industry- Nano-Reactor Synthesis of Biodiesel Fuel', and SAFE Grant for 'Proving Nano-Reactor Technology Commercial Viability: Synthesizing Aspartame'.
Research Group: Mentors undergraduate researchers through comprehensive training in experimental design, laboratory safety, data analysis, and scientific communication, fostering independent scientists capable of advancing nano-reactor applications across multiple chemical disciplines.
