Ted McClain grew up in North Carolina, then moved north for undergraduate studies, earning degrees in chemistry and biology from West Virginia University. After graduating from WVU, he continued his education at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor where he pursued a Ph.D. in organic chemistry under the mentorship of Prof. Corey R. J. Stephenson. 

While at Michigan, he studied visible light-mediated radical alkylation reactions of heteroarenes, developing new chemical methods for functionalizing drug-like molecules. Following his Ph.D. studies, he spent time at AbbVie Inc. before moving to the University of Wisconsin–Madison to pursue postdoctoral studies under the guidance of Prof. Zachary Wickens. At Wisconsin, he developed new strategies for alkenyl thianthrenium chemistry, an enabling electrophilic coupling partner for organic synthesis. During his postdoctoral studies, he was selected as the first Undergraduate Research Postdoctoral Fellow for the University of Wisconsin; with this position, he had the opportunity to establish an undergraduate research laboratory wherein he mentored three undergraduate students on an independent research project in which they worked as a team to study aryl sulfides and their utility as electrochemical mediators. Through this experience, he realized his excitement for undergraduate education and mentorship and, as such, sought opportunities to grow as a teacher and scholar at primarily undergraduate institutions.

“What drew you to apply to the Postdoctoral Teaching & Research Fellow program at Providence College?”

While at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, I established an undergraduate research laboratory and worked with three students on an independent research project. I found this experience to be very enriching and exciting. Most importantly, this experience reminded me why I pursued a Ph.D.; I wanted to teach and mentor students. As I continued my career progression, I sought opportunities to be a hands-on mentor in the research setting and gain valuable teaching experience as an instructor of record. As such, the INBRE Postdoctoral Teaching and Research position at Providence College proved to be a perfect fit for me, as I can learn teaching strategies from senior faculty and have the chance to mentor great undergraduate students in research.

“What is your research focus at PC?”

          Here at Providence College, I will work in Prof. Seann Mulcahy’s lab, where we will study the design and synthesis of beta-carboline-derived atropisomers. Beta-carboline is a heterocyclic motif found in a variety of natural products. We are interested in the study of b-carboline atropisomers due to their diverse potential applications. B-carboline-containing molecules have been documented to have a wide array of biological functions, ranging from antibacterial activity to applications as antidepressants.