Peter Wan

Professor Peter Wan is a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Victoria (UVic), part of the Faculty of Science. He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto and completed an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship at Columbia University. His research focuses on organic photochemical reactions, particularly the mechanisms of quinone methide formation and their applications in synthesizing pharmaceutical compounds. He also investigates excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) phenomena in aromatic systems and their implications in environmental and medicinal chemistry. His teaching spans introductory and intermediate organic chemistry courses. Notable contributions include studies on antiproliferative effects of photochemically generated compounds and the development of novel synthetic pathways for active pharmaceutical ingredients. His work bridges fundamental photochemistry with practical applications in drug design and environmental science.

Research interests include: (1) Photochemical synthesis of bioactive molecules (e.g., APIs), (2) Mechanistic studies of quinone methide intermediates, (3) ESIPT dynamics in phenolic and naphtholic systems, and (4) Environmental photochemistry of pollutants. Recent publications highlight advancements in using visible light for quinone methide generation and understanding their antiproliferative properties.

His research has led to over 50 peer-reviewed articles in top journals. Awards and recognitions include being listed among UVic’s teaching award winners. Peter Wan collaborates widely, with a focus on interdisciplinary projects linking organic chemistry to pharmacology and environmental studies.