Carlos Guerrero
Chemical synthesis; synthesis-oriented organic chemistry; methods development; synthesis design; total synthesis of natural products.

Contact Information
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Office: Pacific Hall 5100C
Phone: 858-534-8793
Email: guerrero@ucsd.edu
Web: guerrerolab.ucsd.edu
Group: View group members
Education
2008 Ph.D., organic chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute
2003 A.B., chemistry, Harvard University
Appointments
2008-2011 postdoc, chemical synthesis, Princeton University
Awards and Academic Honors
2008-2011
NIH NRSA (F32) post-doctoral fellowship
2003-2008
NIH NRSA (F31) pre-doctoral fellowship
Research Interests
The challenges confronting synthetic organic chemists are two-fold: 1) they must refine their craft to improve the overall efficiency of synthetic sequences and endeavors and 2) they must discover or devise state-of-the-science chemical technology in order to address the assembly of novel molecular architectures. In particular, the goals of academic chemical synthesis are to address stereochemical complexity, unusual connectivity/topology, and unknown reactivity. Natural product synthesis has traditionally served as a measure of achievement with such concerns in mind. However, to stave off stagnation in this vibrant research area, chemists must address the synthesis of challenging natural products in new ways. Specifically, the total synthesis of natural products using only clever synthetic design - manifested by artistic orchestration of pre-existing methodologies - is a necessary but insufficient condition for advancing the field; new chemical methods of broad generality must be fashioned and their worth demonstrated in the most demanding of contexts. We expect that our laboratory will offer solutions to longstanding problems in chemical synthesis that blend judicious synthesis planning with new and innovative bond constructions. Our research will expand the scope of known reactivity and possibly enable studies of biological phenomena.
Primary Research Area
Organic Chemistry
Interdisciplinary interests
Synthesis

Outreach Activities
Although my contributions to diversity have been limited, I believe that because I come from two minority backgrounds – I am the son of Mexican immigrants and I grew up under socioeconomic disadvantage – I am quite qualified to lead future efforts to ensure the University’s and the country’s commitment to equal opportunity for all is fulfilled. I am committed to equal opportunity – for as long as I can remember, I have always favored rewarding and promoting superior talent regardless of race, socioeconomic background, religion, sexual orientation, or place of origin. I am completely committed to advancing science without these biases, and active participation in university governance should allow me to assist efforts toward this goal.

Served as the representative of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the California Diversity Forum.
Image Gallery


X-Ray Crystal Structure of Stephacidin B [2003-2006]

X-Ray Crystal Structure of Cortistatin A [2006-2008]


Summary of Synthesis Accomplishments [2002-2011]
Selected Publications