Brett E. Howard, Ph.D.

 

E-mail: behoward AT gmail DOT com

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Research Summary

 

Education

 

•   J.D. candidate, University of Maryland School of Law, Baltimore Maryland, May 2012 expected completion date

•   Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, University of California, Irvine California, April, 2009

•   B.S., Biochemistry, Chemistry minor, University of Arizona, Tucson Arizona, May, 2002

 

Experience

 

Graduate Research Assistant, University of California, Irvine California, 2004–2009

Thesis Advisor: Professor Keith A. Woerpel

•   Developed method to make disubstituted α-hydroxy acids from α-keto esters via metal-catalyzed silylene transfer

•   Created a library of chiral and achiral, aliphatic and aromatic, allylic α-keto esters for screening

•   Proficient in atmosphere exclusion chemistry (Schlenk and glovebox)

•   Designed retro and forward synthesis of Ferupennin F utilizing silylene transfer methodology

•   Characterized small molecules using 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and HPLC

 

Graduate Research Assistant, University of California, Irvine CA, 2002–2004

Thesis Advisor: Professor Gregory A. Weiss

•   Synthesized artificial substrates for tobacco epi-5-aristolochene synthase

•   Designed and implemented two fluorogenic and colorigenic indicators

•   Developed synthetic route for novel alkaloid substrate

•   Supervised undergraduate students in research projects

 

Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ, 1998–2002

Thesis Advisor: Professor Jon D. Rainier

•   Extended methodology for the development of trans-fused polycyclic ethers

•   Assisted in the synthesis of Hemibrevetoxin and Gambierol 

 

Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of California, Irvine CA, 2002–2008

•   Supervised organic, general, and chemical biology laboratory sections of 20-60 students   
•   Lecture assistant for general and organic chemistry courses

 

 

Awards and Honors

 

•   NSF Collaboration to Advance Teaching, Technology and Science Award 2000–2001

•   DuPont Undergraduate Research Scholarship, University of Arizona, 2000

•   Eagle Scout, Grand Canyon Council, 1995

 

Publications and Presentations

 

“Silylene Transfer to α-Keto Esters and Application to the Synthesis of γ-Lactones.”  Howard, B. E.; Woerpel, K. A. Tetrahedron 2009, 65, 6447-6453. PDF.

 

“Synthesis of α-Hydroxy Acids by Silylene Transfer to α-Keto Esters.”  Howard, B. E.; Woerpel, K. A. Org. Lett. 2007, 9, 4651-4653. PDF.

 

“Synthesis of enzyme pseudo-substrates for protein engineering.” Feld, B. K.; Howard, B. E.; Avrantinis, S. K.; Weiss, G. A. 227^th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 2004, Anaheim, CA, ORGN-511.

 

“Exploring Biochemistry and Cellular Biology with Protein Libraries.”  Diaz, J. E.; Howard, B. E.; Neubauer, M. S.; Olszewski, A.; Weiss, G. A. Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2003, 5, 129-146. PDF.

 

“C-Glycosides to Fused Polycyclic Ethers.”  Allwein, S. P.; Cox, J. M.; Howard, B. E.; Johnson, H. W. B.; Rainier, J. D. Tetrahedron 2002, 58, 1997-2009. PDF.

 

“Cyclizations toward seven-membered fused ether ring systems.” Howard, B. E.; Rainier, J. D. 221^st National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Undergraduate Research Poster Session, April 2001, San Diego CA.

Activities and Community Involvement

 

•   Maryland Intellectual Property Student Association, University of Maryland, 2009-Present

•   Maryland Environmental Law Society, University of Maryland, 2009-Present

•   Christian Legal Society, University of Maryland, 2009-Present

•   Christ in You Skid Row Homeless Outreach, Brea CA, 2004-2009

•   Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church, Marketing Team, Anaheim Hills CA, 2003-2005

•   Ask a Scientist Night, February 12^th, 2003, Estancia High School, Costa Mesa CA

 

References

Available upon request