Dr. David Collum

Biography

David B. Collum is the Betty R. Miller Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University. His research primarily focuses on physical organic chemistry, with particular attention to organolithium and organosodium chemistry. He employs a combination of spectroscopic, kinetic, and computational methods to investigate how aggregation and solvation dictate reactivity and selectivity in organolithium and organosodium compounds. His work addresses the complexities that arise from aggregation and solvation in organic chemistry, revealing the structural and mechanistic basis for selectivity in various reactions. He has collaborated extensively with pharmaceutical process groups, applying his research to practical problems in the industry. Collum has published numerous articles in prestigious journals, contributing significantly to the understanding of reaction mechanisms and selectivity in organic reactions. He teaches courses such as Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Honors Experimental Chemistry, guiding the next generation of chemists at Cornell University.

Research Interests

Experience

Courses