Alex Wheeler

I was born and raised in Evanston, IL, but it wasn’t cold enough, so I decided to pursue a bachelor’s at The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. In my first lecture, I was inspired by Ian Tonks to pursue organometallic research and found my home in his research group studying Ti catalysis for the next three years. Seeking further inorganic experience, I proceeded to work for T. Don Tilley at UC Berkeley where I studied the synthesis and properties of heterometallic metal oxo cubane clusters. I then had a brief but wonderful experience as a post-doctoral research chemist the USDA Western Regional Research Center in Albany studying anti-ozonants, before joining the Handford group to study the properties of metal clusters supported by strong field ligands.

When I am not in the laboratory, I enjoy chemistry adjacent activities such as cooking, baking, coffee, and creating original cocktails, in addition to (online) board games, biking, and trying not to kill my miniature orchids.