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Robert G. Iafe, Ph.D.

Robert G. Iafe, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Chemistry


Office: Science 1 Rm 108
Hours: M(2PM), W(3PM), Th(2PM)

Robert G. Iafe, Ph.D.

Dr. Iafe joined the Chemistry & Biochemistry department at CSUSM in Fall 2014, after his tenure as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the W. M. Keck Science Department at the Claremont Colleges. At CSUSM, Dr. Iafe teaches classes in organic chemistry (CHEM 200, CHEM 201, Chem 201L, Chem 202, Chem 202L, Chem 502).

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Education

Teaching/Postdoctoral Scholar, 2011–2014, W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA

Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, 2011, University of California, Los Angeles, CA

M.S., Computational Chemistry, 2008, University of California, Los Angeles, CA

B.S., Chemistry, 2004, Cum Laude, Honors, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA

Research

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Group News

  • March 7, 2020. Roberto Leon Baxin and Emily Lyon gave oral presentations at the 2020 Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, & Innovation. Congratulations to Emily for being chosen as a FINALIST and will compete at the state competition at CSU East Bay on April 24th.
  • February 26, 2020. Roberto Leon Baxin received the ACS Bridge Travel Award to attend the ACS 2020 Spring National Meeting in Philadelphia. Congratulations! 
  • January 17–18, 2020. Emily Aguilar, Araceli Alvarez, Amanda Melanese, and Kaylee Shoemaker presented their posters at the 32nd Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium in Santa Clara.
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  • Group News (Archive 2015–2019)

    • December 6, 2019. Congratulations to Amanda Melanese and Kaylee Shoemaker for receiving Student Travel Grants from CSUPERB to attend the ACS 2020 Spring National Meeting in Philadelphia. Congratulations!
    • November 23, 2019. Araceli Alvarez won an Exemplary Award for her oral presentation on gold-catalysis at the Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research (#SCCUR2019) at CSUSM.
    • November 23, 2019. Emily Aguilar, Brysa Alvarado, Araceli Alvarez, Roberto Leon Baxin, Maribel Clerk, Emily Lyon, Amanda Melanese, Daniel Ruiz, and Kaylee Shoemaker presented their research at the Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research (#SCCUR2019) at CSUSM.
    • November 13–16, 2019. Brysa Alvarado and Araceli Alvarez presented posters at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in Anaheim, CA.
    • November 7, 2019. Congratulations to Amanda Melanese for being selected as a 2019 Glenn Nagel Undergraduate Research Award Finalist. Amanda will compete for this prestigious award at the 32nd Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium in January 2020, in Santa Clara.
    • November 2, 2019. Emily Aguilar gave on oral presentation at the Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium (GCURS) at Rice University.
    • October 2019. Congratulations to Araceli Alvarez on being chosen to attend the M|CORE (Michigan-Chemistry Opportunities for Research & Education) Graduate Program Preview Weekend!
    • October 10, 2019. Our gold-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts paper was accepted in the European Journal of Organic Chemistry. Congratulations to Iafe Lab student authors: James Oakley, Tyler Stanley, Amanda Melanese, Araceli Alvarez, Aloha Prince, and Stephanie Cain.
    • September 22, 2019. Emily Aguilar, Araceli Alvarez, and Amanda Melanese presented posters at the local Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Conference at USD.
    • August 29–30, 2019. Amanda Melanese presented her poster at the ACS DOC SURF awards dinner in Boston, MA.
    • August 27, 2019. Robert Leon Baxin was admitted to the 2019 MIT Access Program.
    • August 26–28, 2019. Amanda Smolin presented her poster at the 258th American Chemical Society National Meeting in San Diego, CA.
    • August 9, 2019. Araceli Alvarez gave an oral presentation at UC San Diego's Summer Research Conference (SRC) at UCSD.
    • August 8, 2019. Maribel Clerk gave an oral presentation at the 2019 Brown Bag Research Talks for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
    • August 8, 2019. Congratulations to Amanda Melanese for winning a Travel Award from the Summer Scholars Poster Showcase.
    • August 8, 2019. Brysa Alvarado, Araceli Alvarez, Amanda Melanese, and Kaylee Shoemaker presented posters at the CSM Summer Scholars Poster Showcase at CSUSM.
    • August 1, 2019. Araceli Alvarez and Emily Aguilar gave an oral presentation at the 2019 Brown Bag Research Talks for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
    • May 8, 2019. Congratulations to Omar Apolinar for winning the CSUSM Chemistry and Biochemistry Outstanding Faculty Student Collaboration Award.
    • May 8, 2019. Karen Fernandez, Omar Apolinar, Jessica Scott, and Amanda Smolin presented Chem 499 posters at the CSUSM Chemistry & Biochemistry Student Research Showcase
    • May 1, 2019. Congratulations to Kaylee Shoemaker for getting the 2019 Spring Presidents' Commission Scholars Award.
    • April 11, 2019. Congratulations to Brysa Alvarado for getting the 2019 Jean Dreyfus Summer Scholars Award.
    • April 9, 2019. Omar Apolinar received the 2019 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Fellowship. Congratulations Omar!
    • April 8, 2019. Omar Apolinar received the 2019 Skaggs-Oxford Scholarship, which provides funding for a joint 5-year program of study in chemistry at Scripps Research, and in biochemistry at the University of Oxford in the UK (joint Doctor of Philosophy degree from Scripps and Oxford). Congratulations Omar!
    • April 1, 2019. Omar Apolinar, Karen Fernandez, Jacqueline Perez, and Rian Shabo presented posters at the 257th American Chemical Society National Meeting in Orlando, FL.
    • March 31, 2019. Jessica Scott gave an oral presentation at the 257th American Chemical Society National Meeting in Orlando, FL.
    • March 20, 2019. Amanda Melanese received the 2019 American Chemical Society Division of Organic Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (ACS DOC SURF). Congratulations Amanda!
    • March 19, 2019. Congratulations to Celi Alvarez for being admitted to the TRiO McNair Program at CSUSM.
    • March 1, 2019. Jessica Scott gave an oral presentation at the 2019 Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, & Innovation.
    • February 6, 2019. Omar Apolinar, with Keary Engle at Scripps Resaerch, got their manuscript titled "Catalytic, Enantioselective α‐Alkylation of Azlactones with Non‐Conjugated Alkenes via Directed Nucleopalladation" accepted and published at Angew. Chemie.
    • January 3, 2019. Omar Apolinar, Mercedes Nguyen, Jacqueline Perez, and Rian Shabo presented their posters at the 31st Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium in Anaheim.
    • November 17, 2018. Omar Apolinar, Karen Fernandez, Jessica Scott, and Rian Shabo presented their research at the Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR) at Pasadena City College.
    • November 12, 2018. Dr. Iafe was highlighted in Safety Sense, a newsletter published by the CSUSM Office of Safety, Health & Sustainability (SH&S).
    • November 6, 2018. Omar Apolinar, Mercedes Nguyen, Jessica Scott, and Rian Shabo presented posters at the CSUSM CUGR Student Poster Showcase.
    • November 5, 2018. Congratulations to Omar Apolinar for being selected as a 2019 Glenn Nagel Undergraduate Research Award Finalist. Omar will compete for this prestigious award at the 31st Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium in January 2019, in Anaheim.
    • September 26, 2018. Sharai Mendez was highlighted on the CSUPERB News webpage.
    • August 10, 2018. Omar Apolinar presented at poster at the Summer Research Poster Symposium at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA.
    • August 9, 2018. Congratulations to Rian Shabo for winning a Travel Award from the Summer Scholars Poster Showcase.
    • August 9, 2018. Mercedes Nguyen and Rian Shabo presented a poster at the CSM Summer Scholars Poster Showcase at CSUSM.
    • August 9, 2018. Amanda Smolin gave an oral presentation at the 2018 Brown Bag Research Talks for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
    • August 2, 2018. Mercedes Nguyen, Jacqueline Perez, and Jessica Scott gave an oral presentation at the 2018 Brown Bag Research Talks for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
    • July 27, 2018. Rian Shabo presented a poster at the SoCal Undergraduate Research Symposium at UC Irvine.
    • July 26, 2018. Victor Franco Bolanos and Rian Shabo gave an oral presentation at the 2018 Brown Bag Research Talks for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
    • June 2018. Congratulations to Mercedes Nguyen and Rian Shabo for receiving the 2018 Viasat Summer Scholars Award.
    • May 18, 2018. Omar Apolinar presented a poster at the 21st Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium at UW Seattle.
    • May 9, 2018. Congratulations to James Oakley for winning the ACS Outstanding Student in Organic Chemistry Award, Mari A. Smith Outstanding Student in Physical Chemistry Award, ACS Outstanding Student in Inorganic Chemistry Award, and Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry Outstanding Senior in Chemistry Award.
    • May 9, 2018. Sam Acosta, Natalie Adamson, Sharai Mendez, James Oakley, Helen Sedrak, Tyler Stanley, and Jenny Veyna presented Chem 499 posters at the CSUSM Chemistry & Biochemistry Student Research Showcase.
    • May 2, 2018. Jenny Veyna was featured on CSUSM News Center.
    • April 2, 2018. James Oakley received the 2018 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Fellowship. Congratulations James!
    • March 18-22, 2018. James Oakley presented a poster at the 255th American Chemical Society National Meeting in New Orleans, LA.
    • March 2, 2018. Omar Apolinar gave an oral presentation at the 2018 Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, & Innovation.
    • February 27, 2018. Omar Apolinar got accepted to the 2018 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) Program. He will be doing research with the Engle Lab at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA. Congratulations, Omar!
    • February 9, 2018. James Oakley was featured on CSUSM News Center.
    • January 11–13, 2018. James Oakley, Sharai Mendez, and Omar Apolinar presented posters at the 30th Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium in Santa Clara.
    • November 14, 2017. James Oakley presented a poster at the CSUSM CUGR Student Poster Showcase.
    • November 6, 2017. Congratulations to James Oakley for being selected as a 2018 Glenn Nagel Undergraduate Research Award Finalist. James will compete for this prestigious award at the 30th Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium in January 2018, in Santa Clara.
    • October 2017. Congratulations to Iliana Levesque on being chosen to attend the M|CORE (Michigan-Chemistry Opportunities for Research & Education) Graduate Program Preview Weekend!
    • September 28, 2017. Iliana Levesque gave an oral presentation at the Frontiers in Science Seminar Series at CSUSM.
    • August 10, 2017. Tyler Stanley gave an oral presentation at the 2017 Brown Bag Research Talks for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
    • August 9, 2017. Iliana Levesque won a poster award for her presentation at the Summer Scholars Research Poster Showcase at CSUSM.
    • August 3, 2017. Jasimine Terrell and Iliana Levesque gave an oral presentation at the 2017 Brown Bag Research Talks for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
    • July 27, 2017. James Oakley and Omar Apolinar gave an oral presentation at the 2017 Brown Bag Research Talks for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
    • July 21, 2017. James Oakley presented a poster at the 2017 SoCal Undergraduate Research Symposium in Chemistry at UCI.
    • June 29, 2017. James Oakley presented a poster at the 2017 National Organic Symposium at UC Davis.
    • June 12, 2017. Congratulations to James Oakley for receiving a travel grant to the 2017 National Organic Symposium.
    • June 2017. Congratulations to Iliana Levesque for receiving the 2017 Viasat Summer Scholars Award.
    • May 23, 2017. Dr. Iafe was featured on CSUSM News Center.
    • May 10, 2017. Congratulations to Cristofer Thompson for winning the CSUSM Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry Outstanding Student in Undergraduate Research Award.
    • May 10, 2017. Cristofer Thompson presented his Chem 499 poster at the CSUSM Chemistry & Biochemistry Student Research Showcase.
    • May 3, 2017. High school student Parker Loux gave his oral Presentation of Learning for the Internship Program at Del Lago Academy.
    • May 2, 2017. Congratulations to Omar Apolinar for getting the 2017 Spring Presidents' Commission Scholars Award.
    • April 28, 2017. James Oakley gave an oral presentation at the 2017 CSU Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, & Innovationat California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
    • April 18, 2017. Gloria Diaz represented the San Diego Foundation and CSUSM STEM Summer Scholars program in an interview with Whitney Southwhick from NBC7.
    • April 3, 2017. Lina Ahlberg, James Oakley, and Cris Thompson presented posters at the 253rd American Chemical Society National Meeting in San Francisco.
    • February 24, 2017. Congratulations to James Oakley for being chosen as a FINALIST at the 2017 Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, & Innovation.
    • February 2017. Congratulations to Gloria Diaz for getting accepted to the chemistry PhD program at the University of Michigan!!
    • January 23, 2017. Gloria Diaz was highlighted in the Science & Technology Spotlight Series blog at sdfoundation.org.
    • January 5–7, 2017. Cristofer Thompson, Lina Ahlberg, Tyler Stanley, James Oakley, and Sam Acosta presented posters at the 29th Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium in Santa Clara.
    • November 29, 2016. Lina Ahlberg and James Oakley presented posters at the CSUSM CUGR Student Poster Showcase.
    • October 2016. Congratulations to Gloria Diaz on being chosen to attend the M|CORE (Michigan-Chemistry Opportunities for Research & Education) Graduate Program Preview Weekend!
    • August 10, 2016. Sam Acosta, James Oakley, and Cristofer Thompson presented at the 2016 Summer Scholars Research Poster Showcase.
    • June 2016. Congratulations to Cristofer Thompson for receiving the 2016 Genentech Summer Scholars Award.
    • June 2016. Congratulations to Sam Acosta and James Oakley for receiving the 2016 Viasat Summer Scholars Award.
    • May 13, 2016. Congratulations to Gloria Diaz for winning the CSUSM Chemistry and Biochemistry Outstanding Faculty Student Collaboration Award.
    • May 11, 2016. Elie Ghasb, Jessica Maynard, Jackie Robinos, Melisa Dean, Gloria Diaz, Lina Ahlberg, and Brittney Klasic presented posters at the CSUSM Chemistry & Biochemistry Student Research Showcase.
    • May 11, 2016. Congratulations to Lina Ahlberg for winning the Mari A. Smith Outstanding Student in Physical Chemistry Award.
    • May 11, 2016. Congratulations to Jessica Maynard for winning the ACS Outstanding Student in Organic Chemistry Award.
    • April 29, 2016. Gloria Diaz gave an oral presentation at the 2016 CSU Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, & Innovation at CSU Bakersfield.
    • April 23, 2016. Lina Ahlberg and Gloria Diaz presented a poster at the Southern California Undergraduate Research Conference (SCURC) at CSU Long Beach.
    • April 6, 2016. Gloria Diaz presented a poster at the 75th San Diego ACS Anniversary Symposium at SDSU.
    • March 13, 2016. Gloria Diaz and Brittney Klasic presented posters at the 251st American Chemical Society National Meeting in San Diego.
    • February 26, 2016. Congratulations to Gloria Diaz for being chosen as a FINALIST at the 2016 Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, & Innovation.
    • January 8, 2016. Gloria Diaz and Brittney Klasic presented posters at the 28th Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium in Anaheim (January 7–9, 2016).
    • June 2015. Congratulations to Melisa Dean, Gloria Diaz, Brittney Klasic, and Jessica Maynard for receiving the 2015 Summer Scholars Award.

  • Peer Reviewed Articles

    (* denotes undergraduate student)

    1. *Oakley, J. V.; *Stanley, T. J.; *Jesse, K. A.; *Melanese, A. K; *Alvarez, A. A.; Prince, A. L.; Cain, S. E.; Wenzel, A. G.; Iafe, R. G. "Gold-Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts-like Reaction of Benzylic Alcohols to Afford 1,1-Diarylalkanes." Euro. J. Org. Chem. 2019, 42, 7063–7066.
    2. Karabiyikoglu, S.; Iafe, R. G.; Merlic, C. A. "Ring-Closing Metathesis with Vicinal Dibromoalkenes as Protected Alkynes: A Synthetic Approach to Macrocyclic Enynes." Org. Lett. 2015, 17, 5248–5251.
    3. *Vinson, A. R. S.; *Davis, V. K.; *Arunasalam, A.; *Jesse, K. A.; *Hamilton, R. E.; *Shattuck, M. A.; *Hu, A. C.; Iafe, R. G.; Wenzel, A. G. "Gold-Catalyzed, SN1-Type Reaction of Alcohols to Ethers and Cbz-Protected Amines." Synlett 2015, 26, 765–770.
    4. Iafe, R. G.; *Kuo, J. L.; Hochstatter, D. G.; *Saga, T.; *Turner, J. W.; Merlic, C. A. "Increasing the Efficiency of the Transannular Diels-Alder Strategy via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Macrocyclizations." Org. Lett. 2013, 15, 582–585.
    5. Iafe, R. G.; Chan, D. G.; *Kuo, J. L.; Boon, B. A.; *Faizi, D. J.; Saga, T.; *Turner, J. W.; Merlic, C. A. "Cyclization Strategies to Polyenes Using Pd(II)-Catalyzed Couplings of Pinacol Vinylboronates." Org. Lett. 2012, 14, 4282–4285.
    6. Gutierrez, O.; Iafe, R. G.; Houk, K. N. "Origin of Stereoselectivity in the Imidazolidinone-Catalyzed Reductions of Cyclic α,β-Unsaturated Ketones." Org. Lett. 2009, 11, 4298–4301.
    7. Ess, D. H.; Wheeler, S. E.; Iafe, R. G.; Xu, L.; Celebi-Olcum, N.; Houk, K. N. "Bifurcations on Potential Energy Surfaces of Organic Reactions." Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 7592–7601.
    8. Iafe, R. G.; Houk, K. N. "Intramolecular Hetero-Diels-Alder Reactions of Imine and Iminium Dienophiles: Quantum Mechanical Exploration of Mechanisms and Stereoselectivities." J. Org. Chem. 2008, 73, 2679–2686.
    9. Iafe, R. G.; Houk, K. N. "Stereoselectivity Control by Torsional Steering in an Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction of Vinyl Oxocarbenium Ions." Org. Lett. 2006, 8, 3469–3472.

  • Conference/National Meeting Presentations

    (* denotes undergraduate student)

    1. Smolin, A.; Apolinar, O.; Iafe, R. G. (2019, September) Development of late-stage functionalization of chiral bisphosphorylimides. Poster presented at the 258th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, San Diego, CA.
    2. *Perez, J.; *Shabo, M.; *Fernandez, K.; *Nguyen, M.; *Bolanos, V. F.; Ahlberg, L.; Iafe, R. G. (2019, April) Gold-catalyzed arylation of benzylic alcohols to afford bioactive 1,2,3-benzotriazole derivatives. Poster presented at the 257thACS National Meeting & Exposition, Orlando, FL.
    3. *Apolinar, O.; Ahlberg, L.; Iafe, R. G. (2019, April) Development of Chiral Bisphosphorylimides as Organocatalsts for Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts Reactions. Poster presented at the 257thACS National Meeting & Exposition, Orlando, FL.
    4. *Scott, J.; *Levesque, I.; *Acosta, S.; Iafe, R. G.Microwave Assisted, Gold-catalyzed Ritter-type Reaction of Benzylic Alcohols. Oral presented at the 257thACS National Meeting & Exposition, Orlando, FL.
    5. *Nguyen, M.; *Perez, J.; Iafe, R. G. (2019, January) Microwave-Assisted Gold(I) Reaction of Benzylic Alcohols for the Preparation of Modified 1,2,3-Benzotriazoles. Poster presented at the 31st CSU Annual Biotechnology Symposium, Anaheim, CA.
    6. *Shabo, M.; *Franco-Bolanos, V.; Iafe, R. G. (2019, January) Preparation of Bioactive 1,2,3-Benzotriazole Targets by a Microwave-Assisted Gold(I) Catalysis Procedure. Poster presented at the 31st CSU Annual Biotechnology Symposium, Anaheim, CA.
    7. *Apolinar, O.; Iafe, R. G.(2019, January) Chiral Bisphosphorylimides as Organocatalysts for Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Reactions. Poster presented at the 31st CSU Annual Biotechnology Symposium, Anaheim, CA.>
    8. *Oakley, J. V.; *Stanley, T.; Iafe, R. G. (2018, March) Microwave-assisted Gold(I)-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts-like Arylation of Benzylic Alcohols to Afford 1,1-Diarylmethanes. Poster presented at the 255th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, New Orleans, LA.
    9. *Oakley, J. V.; *Mendez, S.; *Stanley, T.; Cain, S.; Iafe, R. G. (2018, January) Gold(I)-Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts-like Arylation of Benzylic Alcohols to Afford 1,1-Diarylmethanes. Poster presented at the 30th CSU Annual Biotechnology Symposium, Santa Clara, CA.
    10. *Apolinar, O.; *Adamson, N.; *Ahlberg, L.; *Thompson, C.; *Diaz, G.; *Dean, M.; *Klasic, B.; *Maynard, J.; *Ghasb, E.; Iafe, R. G. (2018, January) Chiral Bisphosphorylimides as Organocatalysts for Friedel–Crafts Reactions. Poster presented at the 30th CSU Annual Biotechnology Symposium, Santa Clara, CA.
    11. *Oakley, J. V.; *Stanley, T.; Iafe, R. G. (2017, June) Gold(I)-Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts-like Arylation of Benzylic Alcohols to Afford 1,1-Diarylmethanes. Poster presented at the 45th National Organic Chemistry Symposium, Davis, CA.
    12. *Oakley, J. V.; *Stanley, T.; Iafe, R. G. (2017, April) Gold(I)-Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts-like Arylation of Benzylic Alcohols to Afford 1,1-Diarylmethanes. Poster presented at the 253rd ACS National Meeting & Exposition, San Francisco, CA.
    13. *Ahlberg, L.; *Thompson, C.; *Diaz, G.; *Klasic, B.; Iafe, R. G. (2017, April) Chiral Bisphosphorylimides as Organocatalysts for Friedel–Crafts Reactions. Poster presented at the 253rd ACS National Meeting & Exposition, San Francisco, CA.
    14. *Oakley, J. V.; *Stanley, T.; Iafe, R. G. (2017, January) Gold(I)-Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts-like Arylation of Benzylic Alcohols to Afford 1,1-Diarylmethanes. Poster presented at the 29th CSU Annual Biotechnology Symposium, Santa Clara, CA.
    15. *Ahlberg, L.; *Thompson, C.; *Dean, M.; *Diaz, G.; *Ghasb, E.; *Klasic, B.; *Maynard, J.; *Robinos, J.; Abrous, L.; Iafe, R. G. (2017, January) Chiral Bisphosphorylimides as Organocatalysts for Friedel–Crafts Reactions. Poster presented at the 29th CSU Annual Biotechnology Symposium, Santa Clara, CA.
    16. *Acosta, S.; *Ghasb, E.; Iafe, R. G. (2017, January) The Microwave Assisted, Gold(I)-Catalyzed Ritter Reaction. Poster presented at the 29th CSU Annual Biotechnology Symposium, Santa Clara, CA.
    17. *Ahlberg, L.; *Dean, M.; *Diaz, G.; *Ghasb, E.; *Klasic, B.; *Maynard, J.; *Robinos, J.; Abrous, L.; Iafe, R. G. (2016, April) Bisphosphorylimides as Organocatalysts for Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts Reactions. Poster presented at the 75th San Diego ACS Anniversary Symposium, San Diego, CA.
    18. *Ahlberg, L.; *Dean, M.; *Diaz, G.; *Ghasb, E.; *Klasic, B.; *Maynard, J.; *Robinos, J.; Abrous, L.; Iafe, R. G. (2016, March) Bisphosphorylimides as Organocatalysts for Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts Reactions. Poster presented at the 251st ACS National Meeting & Exposition, San Diego, CA.
    19. *Ahlberg, L.; *Dean, M.; *Diaz, G.; *Ghasb, E.; *Klasic, B.; *Maynard, J.; *Robinos, J.; Abrous, L.; Iafe, R. G. (2016, January) Bisphosphorylimides as Organocatalysts for Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts Reactions. Poster presented at the 28th CSU Annual Biotechnology Symposium, Anaheim, CA.
    20. *Tran, N.; *Mesa, K.; *Wall, J.; Iafe, R. G.; Wenzel, A. G. (2014, March). Chiral Thiophosphoramides as Ligands for Gold(I) Catalysis. Poster presented at the 247th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Dallas, TX.
    21. *Davis, V. K.; *Arunasalam, A.; *Vinson, A.; Iafe, R. G.; Wenzel, A. G. (2014, March). Gold(I)-Catalyzed, SN1 Etherification of Alcohols. Poster presented at the 247th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Dallas, TX.
    22. *Panzer, Z. R.; Iafe, R. G.; Wenzel, A. G. (2014, March). Diastereoselective, Bronsted Acid-Catalyzed, Aza-Friedel Crafts-like Reaction Between Aryl Compounds and Imines. Poster presented at the 247th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Dallas, TX.
    23. *Panzer, Z. R.; Iafe, R. G.; Wenzel, A. G. (2013, April). Betti Bases for Application in Green Organocatalysis. Poster presented at the 245th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, New Orleans, LA.
    24. *Kuo, J. L.; Iafe, R. G.; Merlic, C. A. (2012, March). Palladium(II) Catalyzed Intramolecular Insertions for Polycyclic Ring Synthesis. Poster presented at the 243rd ACS National Meeting & Exposition, San Diego, CA.
    25. Iafe, R. G.; Merlic, C. A. (2011, March). Strategies for Palladium(II) Catalyzed Cyclization Reactions. Poster presented at the 241st ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Anaheim, CA.
    26. Iafe, R. G.; Houk, K. N. (2007, March). Density Functional Theory Study of C-H Activation of Arenes and Alkanes with Cp*RhPMe3. Poster presented at the 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL.

  • Grants

    1. 2019: Hamilton. $1,000
    2. 2019: CSUPERB PCS. $8,000
    3. 2019: ACS DOC SURF. $5,000
    4. 2018: FC PD Grant. $800
    5. 2018: OGSR GPSM. $1,732
    6. 2018: NCHEA *NSPIRE Graduate Student Lecture Series. $3,000
    7. 2018: Jean Dreyfus Lectureship for Undergraduate Institutions. $18,500
    8. 2018: OGSR GPSM. $3,000
    9. 2017: CSUPERB PCS. $8,000
    10. 2015. OGSR GPSM. $3,000
    11. 2015. CSUPERB NI. $15,000

 

Courses

*To enroll in CHEM 399/CHEM 499, you must go through the Department's application process. CHEM 697/CHEM 698 is restricted to Chemistry MS students. Prospective undergraduate and M.S. researchers are encouraged to contact Prof. Iafe at riafe(at)csusm.edu. Prospective M.S. students should apply to the graduate program at CSUSM. Individuals seeking to join the Iafe lab should expect to undergo a rigorous selection process that includes submission of relevant application materials and an in-person interview.

Vitae

Assistant Professor, 2014–Present, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University San Marcos

Visiting Assistant Professor, 2011–2014, W.M. Keck Science Department at the Claremont Colleges

Lecturer, 2011, UCLA Extension

Professional Societies:

  • American Chemical Society, member
  • Royal Society of Chemistry, member
  • Sigma Xi, full member
  • Alpha Sigma Nu, member

Awards:

  • 2019, Safety, Health & Sustainability Safety Champion
  • 2019, CSM Award for Outstanding Faculty Student Collaboration (w/ Omar Apolinar, Scripps Research Institute/University of Oxford), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CSUSM, CA
  • 2019, Advisor of the Year Tukwut Leadership Award, ASI, CSUSM, CA
  • 2019, President's Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching Innovation & Excellence, CSUSM, CA.
  • 2018, Kerri Mowen Excellence in Faculty Mentoring Award, OGSR, CSUSM, CA
  • 2017, Cougars Affordable Learning Materials (CALM) Program, Spring 2017 Award (w/ JT & EG), CSUSM, CA
  • 2016, CSM Award for Outstanding Faculty Student Collaboration (w/ Gloria Diaz, University of Michigan), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CSUSM, CA
  • 2011, Hanson-Dow Award for Excellence in Teaching, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, CA

Outreach

  • Mercedes Nguyen, Rosa Romero, and Maria Vidaca were interviewed by KUSI to hype up the "Better Than Magic" Chemistry Show.
  • Congratulations to the CSUSM ACS Student Chapter for being selected to receive an Honorable Mention award for its activities conducted during the 2017-2018 academic year.
  • ChemExpo 2018: "Chemistry is Out of This World!" Miramar College, October 27, 2018. ACS Club @ CSUSM.

chemexpo2018

Back row: Monif Alsalek (PR). Middle row: October DeYoung, Maria Vidaca (Sec.), Stacey Comstock, Rosa Romero (Pres), Emily Lyon, Maribel Clerk, Prof. Iafe. Front row: Roberto Leon Baxin

  • Super STEM Saturday, CSUSM, March 10, 2018.
    Better Than Magic at Super STEM Saturday
    "Better Than Magic" Chemistry Show
  • Congratulations to the CSUSM ACS Student Chapter for being selected to receive an Honorable Mention award for its activities conducted during the 2016-2017 academic year.
  • ChemExpo 2017: "Chemistry Rocks!" Miramar College, October 28, 2017. ACS Club @ CSUSMChemExpo 2017

Back row: Matt Baldwin, Colton Breyer. Middle row: Maria Vidaca, James Oakley (VP), Tyler Stanley, Alyssa Dubord (Sec.), Nicolette Gonazalez, Jenny Tran, Emily Lyon, Rosa Romero (PR), Jessica Dang, Prof. Iafe. Front row: Sarah Shiotani, Sharai Mendez (Pres.)

Better Than Magic Show

"Better Than Magic" Chemistry Show
STEM in your BackyardSTEM in Your Backyard Group

  • ChemExpo 2015: "Chemistry Colors Our World: Exploring the Chemistry of Pigments, Dyes, and Light!" Miramar College, October 24, 2015. ACS Club @ CSUSM
  • Discover CSUSM, CSUSM, April 11, 2015, ACS Club @ CSUSM
  • Super STEM Saturday, CSUSM, March 14, 2015
Better Than Magic Show

Front row: Katie Reuter, Lina Ahlberg, Gloria Diaz, Jasmine Javier. Back row: Prof. Iafe, Elie Ghaseb, Matt Kromer, Prof. Schmidt

  • ChemExpo 2014: "The Sweet Side of Chemistry: Candy!" Miramar College, October 25, 2014. ACS Club @ CSUSM

Iafe Lab

Follow the Team

LinkedIn - Iafe Lab
Twitter - SciComm

Masters Students

Amanda Smolin

View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedInAmanda Smolin. Major: Chemistry MS

 

Undergraduate Students

Brysa Alvarado

View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedInBrysa Alvarado. Major: Biochemistry (Jean Dreyfus Summer Scholar)

I am a junior undergraduate with an expected graduation date of May 2020. I plan to pursue a graduate degree in Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry. My research interest are synthetic bioactive compounds and bioconjugation. Outside the lab I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exercising, and coffee.

 
Celi Alvarez

Amanda Melanese View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedInAraceli Alvarez. Major: Biochemistry, Minor: Spanish (TRiO McNair Scholar)

I am currently in my senior year as a Biochemistry major with a Spanish minor. I am working towards a career in Chemical Engineering or a profession in healthcare. On the weekends I like to go to the beach, coach gymnastics, and discover new eateries.

 
Roberto
View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedInRoberto Leon Baxin. Major: Biochemistry
 
I am a biochemistry major currently aspiring to obtain an MD/PhD in pharmacology and drug design. Outside of my academics I enjoy running, reading, trying new foods, studying art, and hanging out with my friends.
 
Maribel Clerk
View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedInMaribel Clerk. Major: Chemistry
 
Currently an undergraduate with an expected graduation date of Spring 2020, I am aspiring to be a graduate school student, with a career interest in teaching chemistry at the university level. I enjoy French, reading, and reading in French, among various hobbies.
 
Mikhail
Mikhail Elerdashvili. Major: Chemistry
 
I am a third-year international student from Russia with a chemistry major. After graduation, I hope to find a job in pharmacological field and continue studying for Ph.D. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, biking, reding books and playing computer games.
 
Emily Lyon

View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedInEmily Lyon. Major: Chemistry

I'm a chemistry major with a minor in literature and writing. When I am not studying, I am either reading a book or hanging out with my friends and family.

 
Amanda Melanese

Amanda Melanese View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedIntwitterAmanda Melanese. Major: Chemistry (ACS Division of Organic Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Scholar)

Following my undergraduate studies at CSUSM, I plan on obtaining a Ph.D. in organic chemistry to ultimately work with drug development in the pharmaceutical industry. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, discovering new workouts, and traveling.

 
Diego Orea

Diego Orea. Major: Biochemistry (TRIO McNair Scholar) 

I am currently working towards my bachelors degree and am expecting to graduate in the spring of 2021. In the future I plan to pursue a PhD in chemical biology. During my spare time I enjoy playing soccer, trying new foods, and learning trivia facts. 

 
Daniel Ruiz

View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedInDaniel Ruiz. Major: Biochemistry

I am a biochem major expected to graduate in spring 2020. In the future I hope to work in either drug development or as a pharmacist. My hobbies include fishing, hiking, and playing video games. If I'm not studying for a test, I'm probably studying on how to get better at a video game.

 
Kaylee Shoemaker

View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedInKaylee Shoemaker. Major: Biochemistry (CSUPERB Presidents' Commission Scholar)

I enjoy traveling and trying new foods. I like to spend my free time outdoors hiking or at the beach. A goal of mine after undergrad is to attend graduate school and obtain a PhD.

 
Sydmey

Sidney Vargas. Major: Biology, Minor: Chemistry

I am currently a junior. I plan to pursue my masters after graduation and do research on the chemistry of environmental degradation and human impacts on different ecosystems. I enjoy traveling, studying, and spending my free time observing nature.

 

Visiting Scholars

Tory

Tory Dennison. Del Lago Academy

I really enjoy learning new things and my favorite subject is science! I go to Del Lago Academy and am currently interning at Dr. Iafe's lab.

 
Bryan

Bryan Montoya. Del Lago Academy

I am a high school junior currently interning in Dr. Iafe's lab. I enjoy learning new things and challenging myself. Science is my favorite subject and I plan to pursue a career in it.

 

Group Photos:

Group Summer 2019group 2018 summer

iafe group spring 2018group summer 2017

group 2016Group 2016

Show All

  • Iafe Lab Alumni

    • Sam Acosta [Summer Scholar], 2018. Linkedin Research Assistant - Irisys-
    • Natalie Adamson, 2018. Lina Ahlberg Linkedin SVM Chemist - Versum Materials
    • Lina Ahlberg, 2017. Lina Ahlberg Linkedin Manufacturing Associate III – Illumina.
    • Omar Apolinar [Presidents' Commission Scholar], 2019. View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedIn PhD Student – Scripps Research Institute
      • National Science Foundation Graduate Student Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)
      • CSUSM Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry Outstanding Faculty Student Collaboration Award
    • Emily Aguilar, 2019. View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedIn Publications Clearance Clerk – Ionis Pharmaceutical
    • Amanda Bookout, 2018. Lina Ahlberg Linkedin PharmD student – UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy
    • Donald Buckley, 2016. Lina Ahlberg Linkedin HS Science Teacher – Irvine Unified
    • Stephanie Cain, 2017. Amanda Melanese Medical School – University of Missouri.
    • Melisa Dean [Summer Scholar], 2016. Linkedin Analytical Chemist – Versum Materials
    • Gloria Diaz [Summer Scholar], 2016. Linkedin PhD student – University of Michigan Ann Arbor
      • CSUSM Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry Outstanding Faculty Student Collaboration Award
    • Karen Fernandez
    • Victor Franco Bolanos, 2019. Equipment Technician – CSUSM
    • Elie Ghasb, 2016. Linkedin Medical school – UCR
    • Brittney Klasic [Summer Scholar], 2016. Linkedin Pharmacy Technician – Scripps Health
    • Iliana Levesque [Summer Scholar], 2017. Linkedin PhD student – University of Michigan Ann Arbor
    • Jessica Maynard [Summer Scholar], 2016. Linkedin MS student – UCSD
    • Sharai Mendez, 2018. Linkedin MS Student – SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program
    • Mercedes Nguyen [Summer Scholar], 2019. View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedIn Laboratory Technician – MilliporeSigma
    • James Oakley [Summer Scholar], 2018. Amanda Melanese View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedIn PhD Student – Princeton University
      • National Science Foundation Graduate Student Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)
      • CSUSM Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry Outstanding Senior in Chemistry
    • Jacqueline Perez, 2018. View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedIn Laboratory Technician – Wildcat Discovery Technologies
    • Jacqueline Robinos, 2016. Senior Lead Bioprocess Technician – Genentech
    • Jessica Scott, 2019. Education Coordinator – San Diego Lab Rats
    • Helen Sedrak, 2018. View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedIn Pharmacy School – Loma Linda University
    • Mariana Shabo [Summer Scholar], 2018. View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedIn Manufacturing Associate I – Illumina
    • Tyler Stanley, 2018. Amanda Melanese View Robert Iafe's profile on LinkedInLaboratory Technician – Wildcat Discovery Technologies
    • Jasimine Terrell, 2017. Linkedin Production Chemist I – Abbott Laboratories
    • Andrew Thomas. 2016. Linkedin Manufacturing Associate II – Illumina
    • Cris Thompson [Summer Scholar], 2017. Linkedin Formulation Scientist I – Thermo Fisher Scientific
      • CSUSM Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry Outstanding Student in Undergraduate Research
    • Kory Ulle, 2016. Linkedin Substitute Teacher - EUHSD
    • Jenny Veyna, 2018. Linkedin PT Aide - All Star Physical Therapy Sports Medicine
    • Visiting Scholars
      • Paul Cativiela, University of California Berkeley
      • Chantel Hennings, Palomar College
      • Fernando Ramirez. Linkedin University of California Berkeley
      • Lily Recillas, MiraCosta College (ACS Scholars Program)
    • Visiting Postbaccaluareate Scholars
      • Aloha Prince. Amanda Melanese LinkedinMedical School - University of Missouri
      • Julianne Rizzo. LinkedinMedical School - UC Davis.
    • High School Visiting Scholars
      • Maxwell Lee, Del Lago Academy (2018)
      • Parker Loux, Del Lago Academy (2017)
      • Anthony Rivera, Del Lago Academy (2019)
      • Serina Truong, Del Lago Academy (2019)