Marc MacKinnon

Professional qualifications:

BSc (Wilfrid Laurier), MSc and PhD (Memorial University of Newfoundland), Postdoctoral Studies (McMaster).

Teaching:

Organic Chemistry.

Research:

Dr. Marc MacKinnon's research group is focused on the synthesis and study of novel aromatic systems and carbon nanomaterials. These include molecules with non-benzenoid ring systems, non-planar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heteroatom-embedded PAHs, and luminescent molecular liquids. We will leverage modern synthetic methods and develop new methodologies with the goal of gaining easier and scalable access to brand-new PAH systems. These materials attract considerable research interest due to their excellent (and often tunable) electronic and optical properties which can be exploited in materials science and teach us more about the nature of aromaticity. Students in this research group will have to opportunity to develop valuable synthetic skills while being involved in the imaginative process of developing novel aromatic targets to make in the lab. Students will also have the opportunity to present their work at national and international conference enabling them to participate in the larger synthetic community.