Assistant University

Experience

Auburn University, Harrison School of Pharmacy Auburn, AL

Advisor: Dr. Randall Clark March 2014-

Current

Organic Synthesis/Medicinal Chemistry

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Drug Discovery & Development Department

• Synthesized novel indole cannabinoids for analytical analysis for joint project with DOJ.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals San Diego,

CA

Supervisors: Dr. Brian Bear, Dr. Tim Coon June 2013-August 2013

Summer Internship, Medicinal Chemistry Department

• Completed novel synthesis exploring reverse regiosepecific substitutions of 2,4-

disubsituted pyrimidines

• Synthesized 16 final compounds using novel method

• Completed initial scope of method exploring -N, -O, -S substitution at C-2 and C-4

of the pyrimidine.

The University of New Orleans New

Orleans, LA

Advisor: Dr. Mark Trudell, Distinguished Professor August 2009- December 2013

Organic Synthesis/Medicinal Chemistry

• Designed and synthesized a series of 3-aryl-3arylmethoxyazetidine analogs targeting

multiple monoamine transporter receptors: Dopamine and Serotonin

• Studied the structure-activity relationships of 70+ analogs at serotonin and dopamine

transporter receptors

• Developed a novel synthesis for the formation of asymmetrical diaryl heterocycles

via Friedel-Craft’s alkylation

• Involved in two other multistep synthetic projects for novel azetidine scaffolds

Clemson University Clemson,

SC

Advisor: John W Huffman May 2008 - December 2008

Organic Synthesis/Medicinal Chemistry

• Synthesized 8 cannabinoid indole derivatives for ongoing SAR

Laboratory Skills

Adept at purification and analysis of organic compounds:

• RP-HPLC • CHN Analyzer • Kugelrohr

• CombiFlash • UPLC • GCMS

• Chromatography • LCMS • NMR

Experienced in the synthesis of organic compounds under inert conditions:

•

• Glove box • Microwave

• Pyrophoric Chemicals

Extensive use of chemistry related computer programs

• ChemDraw • MestRenova • Reaxys

• Marvin Sketch • SciFinder • Electronic Notebook

Education

PhD Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry Emphasis December 2013

Dissertation Title: “Synthesis of Novel Azetidines”

The University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

Adviser: Mark Trudell

MS Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry Emphasis May 2013

The University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

Adviser: Mark Trudell

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry December 2008

Clemson University, SC

Adviser: John W. Huffman

dership

• Responsible for day-to-day management of research group – 3 years.

• Organized and coordinated outreach events at local elementary school

• Coordinated fund raising event for outreach events

• Organized and executed demonstrations at undergraduate fairs to raise interest in majoring in

chemistry

Communication Skills

• Taught 11 courses in organic chemistry as a teaching assistant

• Supervised 12 organic undergraduate lab courses

• Supervised 7 undergraduate students in organic research

• Presented posters of research work at 2 National, and 1 regional ACS meetings

Publications

• Thaxton, A. et al. “3-aryl-3-arylmethoxyazetidines. A new class of high affinity ligands for

monoamine Transporters.” Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 23 (2013) 4404–4407.

• Thaxton, A., Hickey, S., Lindsay, M. “CHEM 2017-Orangic Chemistry Lab 1.” Wiley:

Hoboken, NJ. 2013.

• Lindsay, M., Hickey, S., Thaxton, A. “CHEM 3018-Organic Chemistry Lab 2.”

Wiley: Hoboken, NJ. 2013.

Awards

• Dissertation Enhancement Grant – University of New Orleans (2013)

• College of Sciences Grant – University of New Orleans (2013)

• Outstanding Teaching Assistant – University of New Orleans (2012)

Professional Memberships

• American Chemical Society

• Louisiana Sector of The Young Chemist Committee (ACS)

• ACS Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Divisions

• American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists

• Omicron Delta Kappa - National Leadership Honors Society

• Graduate Chemical Society, The University of New Orleans

References

Available upon request.

Contact this candidate