Professor Evans was born in Llangollen, Wales in 1964. He obtained a first class honors degree (B.Sc.) from Newcastle Polytechnic in 1987. During the course of these studies he spent a year in Development Chemistry at Beecham Pharmaceuticals where he worked on development of an important b-lactamase inhibitor. In 1991 he obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge under the direction of Professor Andrew Holmes, and awarded a prestigious N.A.T.O. Postdoctoral Fellowship, which allowed additional studies in the laboratories of Professor Philip Magnus at the University of Texas at Austin. He then joined the faculty at the University of Delaware in 1993, and was rapidly promoted to his current position of Professor of Chemistry.

Professor Evans' research group is focussed on the exploration and development of reactive intermediates for total synthesis of stereochemically complex and biologically significant natural products. The group is also interested in the development of new transition metal-catalyzed reactions. Specifically, the group has reexamined the metal-catalyzed allylic substitution reaction, in which they have been able to develop new catalysts to control regioselectivity and enantiospecificity. This work will be the main focus of Professor Evans' presentation.

Professor Evans' research has been recognized on several occasions. Recent awards and honors include a NIH First Award and the Zeneca Pharmaceuticals Excellence in Chemistry Award in 1997, an Eli Lilly Grantee Award and Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award in 1998, the GlaxoWellcome Chemistry Scholar Award in 1999 and a Novartis Pharmaceuticals Academic Achievement Award in 2000. He was also recently named the Pfizer Distinguished Michigan Lecturer for 2000 and the SFC-Rhodia Lecturer awarded by the Organic Division of the French Chemical Society in Paris, France.

Directions to the Best Western Inn at West Deptford:
Directions from 47 N: .
Take 47 North to make a left at Cooper Street, (534), which will take you (after several lights and the name changes to Delaware Street [640]) to 295 S, exit 21.) follow 295 S to exit 20 and follow the signs for the Best Western, left over 295 and the next left to the restaurant.
Directions from 42 N:
Take 295 North, turn around at exit 28 to 295 South. Take exit 20 to the Best Western.
Directions from 55 N:
Take 47 North exit (follow 47 N directions).
Other directions from 55 N: Take the Deptford Mall exit, take the first left then go 2 lights and make a left at Clements Bridge Road (544), take this to make a right onto Cooper road (534), which will take you to 295 S.
Follow 295 S and take exit 20 to the Best Western.

Food Choices: Roast Prime Rib Au Jus
Broiled Founder Almondine and herb butter
Roast Half-Chicken with rosemary
Vegetable Platter

Included are Baked Onion soup; Garden Salad; Vegetable Green Beans Almondine
Parslied Baby Red Potatoes
Rolls, Coffee, Tea, and Dessert
Cost: $15 members and guests, $10 students

Reservation by Monday Sept 11

Donna D'Emilio (856) 256-4856
Michael Casner (856) 384-7048
Jim Gleeson (856) 224-294