Hi, I'm Clarence! 

Clarence obtained his B.A. in Chemistry with a minor in physics at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. At Macalester, he conducted DFT studies with Prof. Keith Kuwata to investigate atmospheric chemistry of Criegee Intermediates and vinyl hydroperoxides formed in α-pinene ozonolysis. At UMN, Clarence is excited about computation-assisted reaction development and asymmetric photoredox catalysis.

Clarence is an alumnus of United World College Costa Rica, an international education movement to unite people, cultures, and nations for multicultural understanding, peace, and a sustainable future.

Outside of the lab, he enjoys going to festivals, dancing, tanning in the sunshine, and cooking spicy Chinese food. Thankfully his husband cleans the dishes.

Selected Awards

• Pothapragada International Graduate Student Fellowship (2025)

• Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Certificate of Excellence (2024 )

• Emil J. Slowinski Award in Experimental Chemistry (2024)

• American Chemical Society (ACS) Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry (2023 )

• John Howe Scott Chemistry Prize (2022)

Favorite Reaction(s)

• Hetero-ene reaction of sulfur imide oxidant and alkene