BenU Faculty since 2014
Postdoctoral Fellow: Vanderbilt University, Jeffrey Johnston (2012-2014)
Ph.D. Chemistry, Colorado State University, Tomislav Rovis (2012)
B.S. Chemistry, Calvin College, Ronald Blakespoor (2006)

Courses Taught:
Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory

Research Areas:
Asymmetric organocatalysis, reaction development, synthesis of biologically important molecules including potential malaria and cancer therapeutics, green chemistry, chemical education

Current and Former Research Students:
Fall 2014
Cameron Pombert (Biochemistry)
Mike Strongy (Chemistry)
Mohammed Farhan (Business with Science Applications)

Recent Publications:
Benedictine University
Rubush, D. M. * 2014. Diphenylphosphoric Acid. e-EROS Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. 1–6.

Colorado State University
“Stereoselective Synthesis of Dioxolanes and Oxazolidines via a Desymmetrization Acetalization/Michael Cascade.” David M. Rubush and Tomislav Rovis* Synlett 2014, 25, 713-717.

“An Asymmetric Synthesis of 1,2,4-Trioxane Anticancer Agents via Desymmetrization of Peroxyquinols through a Brønsted Acid Catalysis Cascade.” Journal of the American Chemical Society David M. Rubush, Michelle A. Morges, Barbara J. Rose, Douglas H. Thamm, and Tomislav Rovis* 2012, 134, 13554-13557.

Calvin College
“Photochemical Synthesis of 3-Alkynals from 1-Alkynoxy-9,10-anthraquinones.” Ronald L. Blankespoor*, Peter J. Boldenow, Eric C. Hansen, Jeffrey M. Kallemeyn, Andrew G. Lohse, David M. Rubush and Derek Vrieze Journal of Organic Chemistry 2009, 74, 3933-3935.

Professional Activities:
Member, American Chemical Society, Organic Division

Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations:
“Enantioselective Chiral Acid-Catalyzed Desymmetrization of p-Quinols and p-Peroxyquinols to form Heterocycles” Rubush, D. M.; Rovis, T. 242th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Denver, CO; August 2011. (Talk)

“Progress Toward the Total Synthesis of Stemocurtisine Utilizing an Asymmetric Stetter Reaction” Rubush, D. M.; Rovis, T. 240th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Boston, MA; August 2010. (Talk)

“Toward the Total Synthesis of Stemocurtisine Utilizing an Asymmetric Intramolecular Stetter Reaction” Rubush, D. M.; Rovis, T. National Organic Chemistry Symposium, Boulder, CO; June 2009. (Poster)

“Progress Toward the Total Synthesis of Stemocurtisine” Rubush, D. M.; Rovis, T. Albert I. Meyers Symposium, Fort Collins, CO; October 2008. (Poster)

“Synthesis of Beta-Alkynals via the Photolysis of Substituted Anthraquinones” Blankespoor, R. L.; Boldenow, P. J.; Lohse, A. G.; Rubush, D. M. 235th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans, LA; April 2008. (Poster)

Current Research Projects:
My research program focuses on developing new and environmentally friendly chiral organocatalysts and ligands to create sustainable routes to cancer and malaria therapeutics.