URI_Research _Magazine_Momentum_Spring_2020_Melissa-McCarthy

Without exposure to a similar program during his undergraduate years — learning from mentored, hands-on research — DeBoef says he would not be where he is today.

se , he explains. They invent new chemical reactions and build new molecular structures that will advance the field of pharmaceutical research. DeBoef, who was appointed to his new position in fall 2019 says, “The job is all-consuming, but I make the time needed to work closely with the four Ph.D. students and six undergraduates who work in my lab.” DeBoef’s lab currently works on projects that are funded by the National Science Foundation and the Rhode Island Research Alliance, but his students evoke his greatest sense of pride. “Of course, the projects that we’re doing are pushing science forward,” he says. “But the greatest thing that comes out of my lab — the greatest product — is the people. It’s not the papers and patents and publications. It’s the people who can go on to launch exciting careers that push the field forward.” URI chemistry major Paul Cesana, from Cranston, RI, graduated in spring 2019 and began his Ph.D. in physical chemistry at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a path he had no idea he wanted to follow until he landed in DeBoef’s classroom and lab. “I had him for a class in my first spring semester,” Cesana recalls of DeBoef. “He’s just crazy interesting and a really good teacher.” Drawn in by the class, Cesana asked to work in DeBoef’s lab. Originally, he wanted to become a high school chemistry teacher, but found the research work compelling. With DeBoef’s guidance, Cesana realized a professorship would allow him to both teach and work on research.

“Brenton made a huge difference,” says Cesana. “He’s always excited about whatever topic you bring up to him. Whenever we’re not in meetings, he always welcomes a knock on his door. I always like to talk to him — he’s like an encyclopedia. He knows everything.” Dave Robinson, a fourth year Ph.D. student, earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Rhode Island College and met DeBoef through the Rhode Island Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. He says DeBoef’s work and personality drew him to the URI chemistry graduate program. “He’s the kind of guy I really wanted to work for,” Robinson says. “He’s very kind, nice, funny, interested in science, and knows a lot about the field. Brenton is an excellent mentor — whenever you have a question, no matter what he’s doing, he’s happy to sit down with you for 20 minutes or two hours. You wouldn’t get that everywhere and I appreciate how he will do that. It’s helped strengthen what I’ve learned.” DeBoef describes the matching of graduate students to faculty as an intricate dance that takes place every fall in the department. Students get admitted to the department and spend the early

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