Nathan West, PhD, Named Assistant Professor of Chemistry at University of the Sciences

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PHILADELPHIA, PA (10/22/2010)(readMedia)-- Nathan West, PhD, was named assistant professor of chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at University of the Sciences' Misher College of Arts and Sciences. Most recently a postdoctoral scholar at California Institute of Technology, Dr. West's research background is in synthetic and mechanistic organometallic and inorganic chemistry with a particular focus on developing new transition metal catalysts for fuel conversion technologies in order to move away from traditional energy sources.

Dr. West, a graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earned his bachelor degree in chemistry in 2003 and completed his PhD degree in inorganic chemistry in 2008. His dissertation involved the development of organometallic Pt(II) and Pt(IV) catalysts for functionalization of otherwise unreactive bonds. He focused his primary research on the conversion of methane to methanol, for use as transportation fuel, by selective oxidation of one C-H bond.

After obtaining his PhD, Dr. West moved to California Institute of Technology where he worked as a postdoctoral scholar with Professor John E. Bercaw and Dr. Jay A. Labinger. Together with chemical engineers from UC-Berkley, Dr. West worked on BP's Methane Conversion Consortium (MC2), research focused on the development of transition metal catalysts for homogenous conversion of H2 and CO (syngas) to liquid organic products.

As an assistant professor at USciences, Dr. West will develop a research program based in organometallic chemistry with an emphasis on catalyst design, synthesis, and the study of reaction mechanisms.

At University of the Sciences, students embark on a challenging learning experience in a proving ground for successful professionals in science and healthcare-related fields. A private, coeducational institution dedicated to education, research, and service, and distinguished as the nation's first college of pharmacy, the University has produced leaders in the sciences and healthcare marketplace since its founding in 1821, including founders of six of the top pharmaceutical companies in the world. With undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs in such disciplines as pharmacy, biology, physical therapy, healthcare business, and health policy, the 3,000 students in USciences' five colleges learn to excel in scientific analysis and to apply their skills to improving science and healthcare in their communities and in the lives of people worldwide. Learn more at www.usp.edu.

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