Dr. Juris Strautmanis

Biography

Juris Strautmanis is a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto, Mississauga. With specialized expertise as an organic chemist, he focuses on experimental chemistry and laboratory synthesis of natural products. His teaching portfolio includes courses such as Organic Chemistry: Mechanism and Structure, where he delves into stereochemistry, conformation of organic molecules, and the roles of organic reactions including pericyclic reactions and reactive intermediates. Another significant course he teaches is Organic Synthesis, emphasizing major carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, chemical synthesis including oxidation and reduction, and introducing concepts of asymmetric synthesis. In addition, he offers a course on Organic Chemistry of Biological Compounds, exploring essential life molecules such as amino acids, peptides, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids and their stereochemical and synthetic properties. Strautmanis also guides students through a Chemical Synthesis Laboratory, studying organic, inorganic, and organometallic compounds, along with utilizing transition metals and main group elements in multi-step organic synthesis. His students are encouraged to pursue independent synthesis projects, and in their final year, they conduct a dissertation-based research project on contemporary topics within chemistry and biochemistry, presenting their findings in both oral and written formats.

Research Interests

Experience