Daniel Comins, PhD

Professor Daniel Comins is our scientific advisory board member.  Professor Comins brings more than 40 years of Synthetic Chemistry experience. He received his B.A. degree in Chemistry in 1972 from the State University of New York at Potsdam and his Ph.D. in 1977 from the University of New Hampshire. During 1977-1979, he was a Postdoctoral Associate under the direction of Professor A.I. Meyers at Colorado State University working on the total synthesis of the antitumor alkaloids N-methylmaysenine and maysine. He joined the faculty of Utah State University in 1979, became an Associate Professor in 1984, and moved to North Carolina State University as a Full Professor in 1989.

The principal emphasis of Professor Comins’ research program has been the development of new synthetic methodologies and strategies for the asymmetric synthesis of alkaloids, natural products and biologically active compounds. He is particularly interested in the design of new synthetic reactions, especially practical, high-yield methods for the synthesis of complex organic molecules with specific stereochemistry. Several strategies based on heterocyclic and organometallic chemistry have been developed.

The Comins group has developed methodology useful for the synthesis of compounds having a broad range of biological properties, i.e. neuroleptic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and anticonvulsant activities. Other studies include basic research on the development of synthetic methods for the synthesis of optically active compounds using novel heterocycles as chiral building blocks.