Christopher Alexander

My career has spanned 30+ years in academia and the pharmaceutical industry where I leveraged my extensive chemistry experience through education, research, and mentorship. 

I began my academic journey at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1988. I continued my education at Clemson University where I obtained my Ph.D. in Chemistry with a focus on organic chemistry in 1993. After completing my doctorate (Dissertation: Organocopper chemistry: Preparation and reaction of α-azoalkyl and α-aminoalkyl copper/cuprate reagents. II. Reaction of N,S-acetals with organocopper compounds), I was a post-doctoral research position at Emory University from 1993 to 1995 where I focused on organic synthesis. 

I, then, transitioned to academia as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the College of Charleston (Charleston, SC) from 1995 to 2000. During this tenure, I developed an externally funded undergraduate research program in organic chemical synthetic method development and taught courses in organic chemistry. 

In 2000, I moved to the pharmaceutical industry.  I worked in new drug discovery R&D at Reddy US Therapeutics, Inc./Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (Norcross/Atlanta, GA)--rising through the ranks to become a Senior Research Investigator--for nine years. In this role, I led a medicinal/organic chemistry team that synthesized new chemical entities targeting atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia.  I was part of a team that successfully discovered and advanced two molecules into human clinical trials and am a co-inventor on medicinal chemistry patents.

From 2009-2020, I joined Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw, GA) initially as a Temporary Assistant Professor of Chemistry then became an Assistant Professor where I developed and taught courses in organic chemistry and led a research program (synthetic methodology development with a focus in organophosphorus chemistry and natural product synthesis). I mentored undergraduate and MS graduate students.  Also, I worked as a part-time Technical Specialist in a law firm in Atlanta, GA in 2011, where I reviewed and edited medicinal chemistry patent applications. 

Since 2022, I have been affiliated with Davidson College. Initially serving as a Visiting Assistant Professor where I taught introductory organic chemistry lectures and labs. Then, in 2024 I changed positions and became the Laboratory Manager for the Department of Chemistry. In this role, I oversee the introductory teaching laboratories’ set-up/preparations, maintain the teaching laboratories’ chemical/supply/glassware inventory, chemical waste management, laboratory safety, have other Department/College duties, and collaborate with the organic chemistry faculty, Drs. Snyder and Burde, in research projects. In the Spring 2026, I will teach introductory organic chemistry lab classes as an Adjunct Chemistry Instructor in addition to my Lab Manager duties.