Ph.D. Candidate in Chemistry at UVA

Charlottesville, Virginia, United States Contact Info
250 followers 239 connections

Join to view profile

About

Hello there, I am a third year PhD student in Dr. Dean Harman's research group at the University of Virginia. My current project concerns the unprecendented functionalization of electron rich benzene derivatives by utilizing tungsten based dearomatization to synthesize 3,6-disubstituted cylcohexenes. These novel cyclohexene complexes offer diverse, pharmaceutically relevant, scaffolds for MedChem libraries. Going forward, I hope to expand this research into polyaromatic systems like carbazole, dibenzofuran, and beta-carboline.
In my Undergraduate studies, I conducted two years of research in Inorganic/Organometallic Chemistry in Dr. Emma Goldman and Dr. Raymond Dominey's integrated research group at the University of Richmond. I focused on a project that concerned the study of the electron and energy transfer properties of Rhenium(I) alpha-alpha diimine complexes.
Outside of work I am an avid sports fan and love to practice mindfulness and meditate.

Activity

Join now to see all activity

Experience

  • University of Virginia

    University of Virginia

    2 years 4 months

    • University of Virginia Graphic

      Lab Safety Officer

      University of Virginia

      - Present 1 year 4 months

      -Responsible for writing and submitting safety incident reports regarding lab incidents.
      -Responsible for organizing yearly fire safety training within research group and ensuring all members of the research group complete necessary safety trainings specific to dangers in the lab
      -Performed monthly Inspections of safety equipment in the Harman research lab to ensure functionality.
      -Participated in quarterly lab safety officers meetings with other safety officers and environmental…

      -Responsible for writing and submitting safety incident reports regarding lab incidents.
      -Responsible for organizing yearly fire safety training within research group and ensuring all members of the research group complete necessary safety trainings specific to dangers in the lab
      -Performed monthly Inspections of safety equipment in the Harman research lab to ensure functionality.
      -Participated in quarterly lab safety officers meetings with other safety officers and environmental health and services representatives.

    • University of Virginia Graphic

      Graduate Teaching Assistant

      University of Virginia

      - 2 years 2 months

      General Chemistry Lab I (CHEM 1411)
      • Guided pre-laboratory workshop sessions for 60 students weekly.
      • Instructed two laboratory sessions, on a biweekly schedule, of 20 and 24 students respectively.
      • Responsible for grading 68 students laboratory reports and quizzes weekly.
      Accelerated Organic Chemistry Lab (CHEM 1821 and 2811)
      • Led laboratory sessions twice a week with another teaching assistant for 36 students.
      • Encouraged laboratory students to use their deduction…

      General Chemistry Lab I (CHEM 1411)
      • Guided pre-laboratory workshop sessions for 60 students weekly.
      • Instructed two laboratory sessions, on a biweekly schedule, of 20 and 24 students respectively.
      • Responsible for grading 68 students laboratory reports and quizzes weekly.
      Accelerated Organic Chemistry Lab (CHEM 1821 and 2811)
      • Led laboratory sessions twice a week with another teaching assistant for 36 students.
      • Encouraged laboratory students to use their deduction skills to complete laboratory experiments
      • Demonstrated the use of FTIR, UV-Vis, and NMR instruments
      • Responsible for grading lab reports for 17 students weekly.

  • University of Richmond

    University of Richmond

    1 year 9 months

    • University of Richmond Graphic

      Teaching Assistant

      University of Richmond

      - 5 months

      • Guided 14 undergraduate non-chemistry major students on experiments that emphasized critical thinking and logical deduction
      • Demonstrated the use of FTIR, GC-MS, UV-Vis, and NMR spectroscopy instruments

    • University of Richmond Graphic

      Resident Assistant

      University of Richmond

      - 10 months

      • Responsible for promoting thoughtful interactions and construction of an inclusive social network between 33 residents.
      • Collaborated with 3 other RA’s to create engaging events that highlighted social justice and inclusivity for 157 residents.
      • Budgeted and allocated University funds for two residence hall events and eight floor events.

    • University of Richmond Graphic

      Undergraduate Research Fellow

      University of Richmond

      - 1 year 9 months

      • Synthesized organic ligands by adapted literature procedures, on large and small scale, using inert atmosphere techniques and organo-lithium reagents.
      • Investigated chemical/ photophysical properties of three novel Rhenium(I) complexes
      • Extensively characterized products with 1H and 13C NMR, 2D NMR, GC-MS, UV-Vis spectroscopy.
      • Mentored two new lab members on laboratory skills and data analysis

Education

  • University of Richmond Graphic

    University of Richmond

    Bachelor of Science - BS Chemistry 3.91

    Activities and Societies: Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Pi Pi Honor Societies

Honors & Awards

  • ACS Certified Degree

    American Chemical Society

  • Departmental Honors in Chemistry

    University of Richmond Department of Chemistry

  • American Chemical Society Inorganic Chemistry Award

    University of Richmond Department of Chemistry

  • American Institute of Chemists Award

    University of Richmond Department of Chemistry

  • University of Richmond Dean's List and "All A's" (All semesters attended)

    -

  • Phi Beta Kappa Member in Course

    Epsilon of Virginia

  • Sigma Pi Pi Honor Society Member

    University of Richmond Department of Chemistry

  • Cole Memorial Scholarship

    University of Richmond Department of Chemistry

  • Puryear Summer Research Fellowship

    University of RIchmond Chemistry Department

Languages

  • German

    Limited working proficiency

More activity by Mason

View Mason’s full profile

  • See who you know in common
  • Get introduced
  • Contact Mason directly
Join to view full profile

Explore collaborative articles

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.

Explore More

Others named Mason Ortiz in United States

8 others named Mason Ortiz in United States are on LinkedIn

See others named Mason Ortiz

Add new skills with these courses

See all courses