Student News CAMPUS CURRENT Student News
Undergrads are (+)-Davanone Pioneers






























T
he reputation of HMC students as innovative re-









searchers continues. Assistant Professor of Chemistry














David Vosburg and a team of students have uncovered a
















pioneering new biomimetic path to synthesize the antifungal
















natural compound (+)-davanone. Their strategy dramatically
















reduces the steps from 20 to only seven.

















“Our method is superior in the number of steps, protect-
















ing groups used, and redox manipulations—less is better in



















each case,” noted Vosburg. “Our research therefore reflects
















step, atom and redox economy for a more sustainable chemi-





















cal route.”








p
i
a
d
.












In May 2009, Vosburg and Karen (Brown) Morrison ’08,















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n
Paul Dossa ’06, Jonathan Litz ’09 and Kathryn (Poindexter)

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if
y

e a
t
ic
a
l

O
l
y
m
a


r
n




I
T

g
e


l Scherpelz (POM ’07) published their findings, “A concise,
a
e
g


s
u
C
u
n
n
in
g
h
a
m
e

i


a
wit
h

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astrona
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a
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le
ft
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ce biomimetic total synthesis of (+)-davanone,” in the journal
Astronaut Scholar




le

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at

es with th
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.S
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all
medalists a
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Organic Letters. The paper garnered significant attention as the
Apollo 7 Astronaut Walt Cunningham presented senior Bryan
fifth most accessed paper in the journal during April through
Teague, with a $10,000 scholarship from the Astronaut
June 2009. The HMC team’s findings were also excerpted
Scholarship Foundation in October. The Astronaut Schol-
in “Economies of synthesis” by Timothy Newhouse, Phil S.
arship is the largest monetary award based solely on merit
Baran and Reinhard W. Hoffmann in Chemical Society Review.
that is given in the United States to science and engineering
Of the 32 accomplishments highlighted in the Review
undergraduate students. Seventeen HMC students have re-
article, HMC’s research is the only one to originate from a
ceived a total of $190,500 in scholarships since 1987. Teague
lab without graduate and postdoctoral students. “Probably
will graduate in May 2010 with a degree in general engineer-
very few, if any, of the other syntheses (even a single step)
ing. He is interested in electric cars, enjoys materials science,
were performed by an undergrad; in our case it was all seven
specifically energy and power generation, and has worked on
steps,” Vosburg said.
developing photo initiated thiolene polymers.

86581_Health Poster 9/16/09 11:51 AM Page 1
HMC Health Plan
S S S TTT AAA YYY
Avoid getting sick
during flu season
With the alert high this flu season, the Office of Facilities and Maintenance, Emergency Preparedness coordinator
has implemented a plan to help protect and inform the campus community. HMC is
HEALTHY
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
•
Distributing hand sanitizers,


•
Planning a PR campaign (right)
•
Requesting tha

t parents and
� Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
� Wash your hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds frequently,
disposable thermometers, and to inform the campus community guardians speak with their
especially after you cough or sneeze, or use the restroom.
� Antibacterial wipes and gels are available throughout the campus.
Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
information on flu symptoms about ways to avoid getting and Mudders about flu preven-
� Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs spread that way.
and preventive strategies to all spreading the flu. tion strategies, and watch
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
� Influenza is thought to spread mainly
person-to-person through coughing
students.
or sneezing of infected people.
•
Coordina

ting with Student Health
out for symptoms of the flu. � If you get sick, limit contact with
others to keep from infecting them.
•
Instructing the c

ustodial staff Services and the other Claremont
•
Placing large pum

ps of
Tips from the Student Health Center
Practice good hygiene and standard
preventative measures to avoid catching
to take enhanced measures to Colleges to share information and hand sanitizing liquid in key
or spreading illness, such as:
� Get plenty of rest and
drink plenty of liquids.
prevent the spread of infection. resources. public areas around campus.
� Wash hands with soap and water
for 15-20 seconds frequently
� Seek medical attention if you
experience sustained high fever
(over 100F), difficulty breathing,
chest pain, vomiting and cannot
HMC recognizes the importance of having open lines of communication. Developments pertaining to this year’s
keep down fluids, or have other
conditions such as diabetes or
asthma or a chronic illness.
Contact Student Health Service,
flu season are being monitored and any new information will be relayed promptly via the HMC website, e-mail
Tranquada Center, ext. 72252
or 607-2252.
and other means, if and when news becomes available.
For more information, visit the
Student Health Center website at
www.cuc.claremont.edu/shacs/shs/
FALL/WINTER 2009 Harvey Mudd College 13
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