Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Citizenship
Publications
Languages
Timeline
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Somayeh Motevalli

Berkeley,CA

Summary

Dedicated and highly motivated chemist with a Ph.D. in organic chemistry and 5+ years of university-level teaching experience. Proven track record in student mentoring and published research in peer-reviewed journals. Committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment and implementing innovative instructional strategies in chemistry.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

AI in chemistry Consultant- Outlier. AI

Outlier
Remote
03.2024 - Current

Generate data and provide feedback on the most advanced generative AI model

Research Scientist- Medicinal Chemistry (Contract)- Vertex Pharmaceuticals

01.2023 - 01.2024
  • Synthesized small molecules to advance structure-activity relationships (SAR) studies toward clinical development candidates
  • Contribution to hit to lead and lead optimization utilizing ADME and PK properties
  • Utilized computational tools for structure-based drug design.

Research Scientist- Medicinal Chemistry- R2M Pharma, Inc.

02.2021 - 06.2022
  • Breadth of experience on multiple projects including: Potent, cell permeable and selective CAPN5 inhibitors for an inherited eye disease (ADNIV)
  • IGF-1R inhibitor program for Thyroid Eye Disease (engineering kinase selectivity and hit identification)
  • Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 inhibitors for cancer (hit identification)
  • Synthesized small molecules to drive SAR towards clinical development candidates
  • Optimized synthetic routes to improve reaction efficiency and enable multi-gram scale-up
  • Used AutoDock to model the binding of molecules to proteins in the concept of rational drug designing
  • Actively involved in developing selective inhibitors by exploring diverse functional groups in the kinase program
  • Made key important analogs for in vivo study.

Research Scientist- Ryss Laboratories, Inc.

04.2020 - 12.2020
  • Designed and synthesized structurally modified cannabidiol compounds for anti-tumor therapies.

Research Associate- Santa Clara University

09.2018 - 03.2020
  • Developed solid- and solution phase synthesis of novel linear and macrocyclic peptoids
  • Experienced in synthesizing heterocycles and unnatural amino acids as precursors for preparation of macrocyclic peptoids
  • Conducted structural studies of cyclopeptoids utilizing 2D NMR and X-ray crystallography techniques.

Online Tutor

Wyzant
06.2018 - 03.2019
  • Provided homework assistance using specific curriculum and materials.
  • Supported students with helpful study habits and exam strategies.
  • Collaborated with students to complete homework assignments, identify lagging skills, and correct weaknesses.
  • Motivated students towards learning and studying to build self-confidence and reduce fear of failure.

Post-Doctoral- The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

03.2016 - 08.2018
  • Pioneered the development of a new methodology to unite isatin scaffolds with nitrostyrenes for the enantio- and chemoselective construction of poly functionalized tertiary phosphates.

Post-Doctoral- Shiraz University, Iran (30 months)- UC, Australia (6 months)

06.2013 - 01.2016
  • Developed reusable ligand-free Pd-catalyzed phosphonation of aryl halides in neat water
  • Developed a new method for highly chemoselective synthesis of α-imino-and α-(N-phosphorylamino)-phosphonates
  • Contributed to developing an efficient Pd-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization of hydroxybenzaldehydes in neat H2O to access 2-aroylketones.

Lecturer, Chemistry

Islamic Azad University Nour Branch
07.2014 - 12.2014
  • Assessed student performance through exams, quizzes, lab reports, and oral presentations, providing constructive feedback throughout the semester.
  • Enhanced student understanding of complex chemistry concepts by incorporating real-world examples and hands-on experiments.
  • Established a safe and inclusive classroom environment that promoted respectful discussions and diverse perspectives on complex topics.

Lecturer

Islamic Azad University Nour Branch
09.2011 - 08.2013
  • Cultivated critical thinking skills through challenging assignments that required analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information from various sources.
  • Developed strong relationships with colleagues, collaborating on curriculum development and sharing best practices in teaching strategies.
  • Evaluated student progress through regular assessments, providing detailed feedback for improvement and growth.
  • Selected and designed lesson plans and curriculum to meet academic objectives.

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry -

Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
01.2011

Master of Science - Organic Chemistry

Shiraz University
Shiraz, Iran
02.2004

Skills

  • Microsoft Office 365 Suit
  • Problem-Solving
  • Attention to Detail
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Project Management
  • Effective lesson planning, time management, and classroom management skills
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Research and Development

Citizenship

U.S. Citizen

Publications

  • S. Motevalli, M. T. Nguyen, J. Tan, A. A. Fuller
  • Diverse N- substituted azolecontaining amino acids as building blocks for cyclopeptides" ACS Omega 2020, 5, 1214−1220.
  • S. Motevalli, J. S. Johnson
  • Phosphite-Mediated Reductive Cross Coupling of Isatins and Nitrostyrenes "Synthesis 2017. DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1588170.
  • S. Motevalli, Y. Sokeirik, A Ghanem
  • Rhodium-Catalysed Enantioselective C-H Functionalization in Asymmetric Synthesis" Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2016, 8, 1459-1475.
  • S. Motevalli
  • N. Iranpoor
  • E. Etemadidavan, K. Rajabi " Exceptional Effect of Nitro Substitutent on the Phosphonation of Imines: The First Report on Phosphonation of Imines to α-Iminophosphonates and α-(N- phosphorylamino) phosphonates)" RSC Adv., (2015), 5, 100070-100076.
  • N. Nowrouzi
  • S. Motevalli, D. Tarokh, "Palladium-catalyzed direct C- H bond arylation of 2- hydroxybenzaldehyde with organic halides in neat water" J. Mol. Catal. A: Chem. 2015, 396, 224-230.
  • N. Iranpoor
  • H. Firouzabadi
  • K. R. Moghadam, S. Motevalli "First Reusable LigandFree Palladium Catalyzed C-P Bond Formation of Aryl Halides With Trialkylphosphites in Neat Water" RSC Advances 2014, 4, 55732-55737.
  • S. Motevalli, K. Rajabi "A Green Approach for CopperFree Sonogashira Reaction of Aryl Halides with Phenylacetylene in the Presence of Nano-Pd/Phosphorylated Silica (SDPP/Pd0)" Aust. J. Chem. 2014, 68, 926-930.
  • S. Motevalli "Palladium free aminocarbonylation of aryl, benzyl, and styryliodides and bromides by amines using Mo (CO)6 and norbornadiene" Tetrahedron, 2013, 69, 418-426.
  • S. Motevalli "Silicadiphenyl phosphinite (SDPP)/Pd(0) nanocatalyst for efficient aminocarbonylation of aryl halides with POCl3 and DMF" J. Mol. Catal. A: Chem. 2012, 355, 69- 74.
  • S. Motevalli, M. Talebi "Palladium nanoparticles supported on silicadiphenyl phosphinite (SDPP) as efficient catalyst for Mizoroki-Heck and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions" J. Organomet. Chem. 2012, 708, 118-124.
  • A. Safavi
  • S. Motevalli, M. M. Doroodmand" Palladium nano particles supported on SiO2 by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique as efficient catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of aryl bromides and and iodides: selective coupling of halophenols" Appl. Organomet. Chem. 2012, 26, 417-424.
  • D Khalili, S. Motevalli Easily prepared azopyridines as potent and recyclable reagents for facile esterification reactions. An efficient modified Mitsunobu reaction " J. Org. Chem. 2008, 73, 4882- 4887.

Languages

English
Full Professional

Timeline

AI in chemistry Consultant- Outlier. AI

Outlier
03.2024 - Current

Research Scientist- Medicinal Chemistry (Contract)- Vertex Pharmaceuticals

01.2023 - 01.2024

Research Scientist- Medicinal Chemistry- R2M Pharma, Inc.

02.2021 - 06.2022

Research Scientist- Ryss Laboratories, Inc.

04.2020 - 12.2020

Research Associate- Santa Clara University

09.2018 - 03.2020

Online Tutor

Wyzant
06.2018 - 03.2019

Post-Doctoral- The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

03.2016 - 08.2018

Lecturer, Chemistry

Islamic Azad University Nour Branch
07.2014 - 12.2014

Post-Doctoral- Shiraz University, Iran (30 months)- UC, Australia (6 months)

06.2013 - 01.2016

Lecturer

Islamic Azad University Nour Branch
09.2011 - 08.2013

PhD in Organic Chemistry -

Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Master of Science - Organic Chemistry

Shiraz University
Somayeh Motevalli