Short term: To finalize work on multi-catalysts multi-step pot-in-pot reactions using PDMS and other new functional membranes. To finish writing my thesis.
Long term: Understanding the interplay of chemistry and biology from an organic chemist's stand point. Specifically, how molecules (small molecules and polymers) can be used to affect/control physiology and the role technology plays in discovering this.
Currently working on development of efficient synthetic protocols by applying polymers in synthesis. Fabrication of polymeric materials into tools that may have diverse uses in catalysts and/or medicine.
Collaborating with Prof. Oddmund Johansen's group (University of Tromso/University Hospital of northern Norway) on metabolic profiling of cells for possible diagnostic cues using customized bio-compatible polymers.
7. Mwangi, Martin T.; Schulz, Michael D.; Hoak, Kevin M.; Elsey, Rachel; Bowden, Ned B. Pot-in-pot reactions: site-isolation of multiple catalysts and reagents for the syntheses of natural products (in preparation).
6. Mwangi, Martin T.; Runge, M. B.; Hoak, Kevin M. Schulz, Michael D. Bowden, N. B. A materials approach to site-isolation of Grubbs' catalysts from incompatible solvents and reagents. Chem. - Eur. J. (2008), 14, 6780-6788. PDF. (This work was highlighted in chemistry world)
5. Runge, M. Brett; Mwangi, Martin T.; A. Lee Miller II; Mathew Perring; Bowden, Ned B. Cascade reactions using LiAlH4 or Grignard reagents in the presence of water. Angew. Chem. int. Ed. 2008 47(5), 935-939. PDF
4. Mwangi, Martin T.; Nicholas K. Gikonyo; Isaiah O. Ndiege. Repellent properties of d-octalactone against the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans morsitans. J. Ins. sci. 2008 8:43. PDF
3. Mwangi, Martin T.; Runge, M. Brett; Bowden, Ned B. Occlusion of Grubbs' Catalysts in Active Membranes of Polydimethylsiloxane: Catalysis in Water and New Functional Group Selectivities. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2006), 128(45), 14434-14435. PDF (this work has been highlighted among recent developments in olefin metathesis)
2. Runge, M. Brett; Mwangi, Martin T.; Bowden, Ned B. New selectivities from old catalysts: Occlusion of Grubbs' catalysts in PDMS to change their reactivity. J. Organomet. Chem. (2006), 691(24-25), 5278-5288. PDF
1. Plettner, Erika; Mohle, Ashley; Mwangi, Martin T.; Griscti, Johanna; Patrick, Brian O.; Nair, Ranjeet; Batchelor, Raymond J.; Einstein, Fredrick. 2-Chlorobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxamide and 2-chlorobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxamide as precursors of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one and bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one: resolution, absolute configuration and hydrogen-bonding properties. Tetrahedron: Asymmetry (2005), 16(16), 2754-2763. PDF
Mwangi, M. T., Runge, M. B., Bowden, N. B. "'Pot-in-pot' reactions: Site isolation of organometallic catalysts from each other for versatile cascade reactions and recycling" 235th ACS National Meeting. Apr. 6-10, 2008. New Orleans, LA. View PDF (highlighted in “chemistry world”)
Mwangi, M. T., Runge, M. B., Bowden, N. B. "'Pot-in-pot' reactions: Polymers macro-fabrication for site-isolation of catalysts and reagents" AIChE Spring National Meeting. Apr. 6-10, 2008. New Orleans, LA
Mwangi, M. T., Runge, M. B., Bowden, N. B. "'Pot-in-pot' reactions: Site isolation of organometallic catalysts and reagents for otherwise impossible cascade reactions" 43rd Midwest Regional ACS Meeting. Nov. 7-10, 2007. Kansas City, KS
Mwangi, M. T., Runge, M. B., Hoak, K. M., Bowden, N. B. "Occlusion of Grubbs' metathesis catalyst in PDMS: Serendipitous discovery of new reactivities in aqueous solvents" 233rd ACS National Meeting. Mar. 25-29, 2007. Chicago, IL
Mwangi, M. T., Runge, M. B., Hoak, K. M., Bowden, N. B. "A new approach to cascade reactions using site-isolated catalyst and/or reagents" 8th International Symposium on Carbanion Chemistry ISCC-8, June 6-10, 2007. Madison, WI
(INVITED): Mwangi, M. T., Runge, M. B., Miller, A. L., Bowden, N. B. "Synthesis of well defined hollow organic polymers for drug delivery and catalysis" Symposium on Cartilage Physiology and Repair. University of Tromso, Aug. 31 - Sept. 2, 2006. Tromso, Norway
Mwangi, M. T., Miller, A. L., Bowden, N. B. "Towards hollow polymers: synthesis of key macro-monomers" Banff symposium in Organic Chemistry, Nov. 10-13, 2005. Banff, AB. Canada
Mwangi, M. T., Plettner, E., "a-chlorobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-amides as masked chiral ketone precursors" Banff symposium in Organic Chemistry, Nov. 7-10, 2003. Banff, AB. Canada
Mwangi, M. T., Gikonyo, N. K., Ndiege, I. O., Hassanali, A. "Enantioselective synthesis of (R)- and (S)- d-octalactone and their effects on Glossina spp. Host seeking behavior" The 9th NAPRECA Scientific Conference, Aug. - Sept. 2001. Nairobi, Kenya
(ATTENDED) Professional skills workshop for scientists-The 5th SONA (Society of Neuroscientists of Africa) conference, Apr. 21-22 2001. Nairobi, Kenya
Mwangi, M. T., Chabbra, S. C., Langat, C. C. "Bioassay guided fractionation and phytochemical screening of three Kenyan plants" The 3rd Kenya Chemical Society Conference. Aug. 16-20. 1999. Juja, Kenya
May 2008: The Graduate college summer research fellowship, Graduate college, University of Iowa.
Apr. 2008: The Lynn Anderson excellence in graduate research award, (Best student), Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa.
Apr. 2008: Best Mentor, Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa.
Apr. 2008: Most Motivated graduate student, Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa.
Mar. 2008: Travel award from graduate council, the University of Iowa to attend the 235th national ACS and the Annual AICHE conferences.
Nov. 2007: Travel award from the chemistry department at University of Iowa to attend the Midwest ACS conference.
Mar. 2007: Travel award from the chemistry department at University of Iowa to attend the national ACS conference.
Aug. 2006: Invited to present at the "Symposium on Cartilage and Tissue Repair" at university hospital of northern Norway, Tromso, Norway.
Aug. 2006: Chaired a conference session at Tromso, Norway.
Nov. 2005: Travel award from University of Iowa. Presented at the Banff symposium in organic chemistry at Banff, Al. Canada.
Sept. 2003: Travel award from Simon Fraser university. Presented at the Banff symposium in organic chemistry at Banff, Al, Canada.
2000 - 2002: ARPIS scholar at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya.
Feb. 2002: Graduated with an MS in chemistry. Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Sept. 1999: Graduated with a B.Ed(sci) (hons). Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.
1998 - 1999: Kenyatta University final year undergraduate research fellowship
1994: H.S. certificate of merit in Chemistry (best student).
1994: H.S. certificate of merit in Biology (best student).
Apr. 18, 2008: The Daily Iowan "A molecule moment"
Apr. 17, 2008: DITV news "Two graduate students excel in science"
Apr. 9, 2008: "Chemistry World "'Pot-in-pot' technique makes impossible cascade reactions easy"
June 11, 2007: "Organic portal" "'Recent developments in alkene metathesis"
Poetry: when I get bored, I like playing with words, wanna sample?? sample 1* sample 2* sample 3*
Sports: Interested in Running when time allows. Else Swim or board games (chess) will do. If neither is available I "sing" the sports away on a guitar!
Travelling: I like visiting new places, taking long drives and while in new places write a few poems . hiking is pretty cool too....I miss those Vancouver trails big time!!
Church: Internet resources
Click here for my church
Others:
Currently studying "I don't have enough faith to be an atheist" and the book of 1 John.
Thika (Hae) High school - I'm still so proud about this old prestigious school that I have to say a word about it. - coming soon!
Scenes from my home country. (coming soon)
Scenes from Tromso (Norway, in the arctic circle).
tromso1 tromso2 tromso3 tromso4 tromso5 tromso6 tromso7
Scenes from BC, Canada. (coming soon)
*DISCLAIMER: Whereas the words and poetry composition is fully my work, some of these poems have been set on images borrowed from the internet and I do NOT claim their ownership, a list of the sources can be supplied by emailing the web designer