John L. Wood, Ph.D., FRSC

Education

American Chemical Society
Postdoctoral Fellow
Harvard University - 1991 - 1993

Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania - 1991

B.S.
University of Colorado, Boulder - 1985

Experience

Department Chair
Robert A. Welch Distinguished Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Co-Director, Baylor Synthesis and Drug Lead Discovery Lab
Baylor University - 2021 - Present

Robert A Welch Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas Scholar
Associate Editor for the Americas, Tetrahedron Letters
Baylor University - 2013 - 2021

A.I. Meyers Professor of Chemistry
Colorado State University - 2006 - 2013

Professor of Chemistry
Yale University - 1998 - 2006

Research

Starting with Wohler's total synthesis of urea almost two centuries ago, the chemical synthesis of naturally occurring molecules has inspired creativity and led chemists to make important advances in areas ranging from drug development to materials science. Unlike many fields where the target of research efforts is defined by the researcher - allowing convenient adjustment to match shortfalls in capability - the goal in natural products synthesis is predefined by nature and the challenge is to develop methods and strategies that allow for the solution of a precise problem; however, for most molecules there is an infinite number of conceivable syntheses. Thus, these intriguing products from nature represent a virtually limitless source of inspiration to chemists; no matter how many times they are targeted for synthesis or successfully prepared, they continue to fuel creativity and scientific achievement in our field and beyond.

The Wood Research Group