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It has been a while, but there were more pressing matters that needed attention (NSERC funding application and lots of manuscript writing). Spring and Summer, as always were productive times for research. Having received a FST summer research assistantship, Fred worked on the characterization of various devices, something that was a feature of an article with Dr. Nedelcu and her colleagues earlier this year (link here ). The follow up to this work will come from Fred's work o

With June comes the annual conference by the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC), the Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, colloquially known as the CSC2025. This year it was hosted in our nation’s capital, Ottawa, between June 15th and 19th. A small group from MRU attends every year, with several students representing the exciting research being conducted on our campus. It was also a great opportunity for networking and connecting with past MRU students. Kieran Mounc

Only Jarrett from the research group graduated this year, he had been with the group since the beginning so it was sad to see him leave but I know he will be wildly successful as he peruses his education in pharmacy at the University of Alberta.  ​ Aidan Surcon, pictured with us in the lab, also graduated and was in the first cohort of students I taught at MRU - they all grow up so fast! ​ This first time we at the Faculty of Science & Technology had a convocation ceremony al

The third annual outing for the group, repeating our first one by going to Exit Calgary just off 17th to complete the spooky "Haunted Hall" room with no hints and about 2 minutes to spare! Everyone came out for some casual drinks and food at Browns Social House just round the corner. ​ It was important to point out how, although I am not tall, most of my students are taller than me. From left to right: Jarrett, Dr. Webb, Declyn, Kierna, Fred, & Adam   ​​Dylan didn't make it t

As always, a busy semester with some success coming from a variety of places. ​ ​The collaboration with Nicoleta is in full swing, and work characterizing several piezoelectric devices has been completed and been part of a recent manuscript that was submitted earlier in the semester. Fred presented some of this work at the Research Days held at MRU. ​ Kieran contributed to the recent manuscript submitted to the Journal of Chemical Education (March 2025), and also an article f

Both Jarrett and newcomer to the lab Kieran scored a Student Research Assistantship for the Summer/Spring which resulted in a lot of productive chemistry that has lead into the Fall semester of 2024. ​ Jarrett continued working with cannabinoids, isolating several as starting materials for future ligands. This is quite the task and Jarrett has shown a lot of commitment to the project. He also contributed to a publication that will be submitted early in 2025. ​ Kieran has cont

It was bitter sweet to be on stage and be with so many students I have taught and had in the group as they receive their degrees. They are all off to bigger and better things but that doesn't make it any less difficult to say goodbye. Emily, Krizel, Irish, Maliha, and Liza were all graduating from the group this year. ​ Luckily I was able to get a few final photos before they go off into the big scary world (Emily, Krizel, and Liza pictured) ​ The staff is not included in my

Not just an observer this CSC! I gave a talk in the "Waving the Green Flag" symposium to share the approach the research program is taking towards more sustainable organometallic chemistry and Emily gave a talk (pictured) about the work the group has been doing in the Ligand Design symposium, emphasizing all the contributions she has made - a great victory lap before she graduates and leaves for grad school :'(   A small group of us attended the conference, including: Dr. Kar

The second annual outing for the group, most of us taking the bus together. Another escape room, but this time we completed "Kings of Cocaine" at Escape60. There wasn't a leader board this time, but a good time was had, including some chemistry themed drinks! ​ From left to right in the celebration picture: Maliha, Irish (sitting), Emily, Dr. Webb, Jarrett, Krizel (sittting)   Some extra socializing afterwards for those that were available at Best of Kin where Liza joined us

A whirlwind of a semester! It was difficult to get research done with how busy we all were! ​ The first MRU Research Day (27th of March) featuring students from the Webb lab. Jarrett presenting work from his CHEM5201 - Independent Research project from the semester and Emily showing off all the ligand synthesis she has done including the three crystal structures she obtained with the aid of Prof. René T. Boeré at the University of Lethbridge. Emily will be presenting, along

Moments before Irish Casue gives her CHEM5201 - Independent Research presentation! A lot of nerves, but a lot of good moments from this work marking the beginning of natural products being used in the Webb lab! Congrats Irish!

A fruitful semester with Emily obtaining several crystal structures with help of our new collaborator, Prof. René T. Boeré at the University of Lethbridge. One the structures is presented above, the research groups first organometallic compound! Hopefully the first of many! The other structures were various ligands we have been working with.   I was given associated status with the School of Graduate Studies down at the University of Lethbridge. This opens up the door for man

A fantastic time in Vancouver, British Colombia, for the Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC2023). ​ Sunny weather prompted a group to hike up Grouse Mountain (with chemistry education researchers, including, Prof. McCollum, his student Tejas, Dr. Pullen, Dr. Graulich, and Prof. McNeil) before heading back to actually attend some symposia. A late night out with the Acedo group following the Organic Mixer, along with Dr. Acedo's students Zafina and Jenna, and fel

From left to right: Dr. Chik, Ciara Spaan, Dr. Webb, Prof. Ackroyd, Dr. Slawinski, Dr. Sadiq, Jhoseling Garcia, Dr. Diaz-Avila, and Dr. Kapocsi-Kiss ​ It was great to be on stage for convocation this time around, rather than being the one walking across. A great turnout from the department of chemistry and physics, not all of which were in the above photos. I look forward to seeing more and more familiar faces crossing the stage in the future. ​ Congrats to all the grads!

From left to right in both pictures: Maliha, Irish, Dr. Webb, and Jarrett ​ To celebrate students sticking around over the spring semester to do some research, and those who have research assistantship positions, MRU put together an informal pizza lunch for everyone. This way, we all know who could be around the research space and no one would be strangers! We grabbed a quick photo of those in the group who attended. Maliha is the new addition to the group, she had been testi

From let to right in both pictures: Irish, Krizel, Dr. Webb, Emily, and Jarrett ​ The first outing for the group at Exit Calgary. We successfully completed the escape room "A Wizard's Curse" and got on the leader board! The promise of "appetizers paid for if we were successful" was uphold at Porch on 17th avenue along with a few cocktails to celebrate a productive semester.  Earlier in the month, Emily was awarded the Faculty of Science and Technology award to be a Student Re