A new semester, another year. The students have moved in, the textbooks have been opened, and the classes have begun. Yesterday was the first day of my third year as a professor (how is that possible?) and my first class as an instructor of organic chemistry (CHEM 205) at UR. I am looking forward to getting back to my first love of organic chemistry and teaching at the more introductory level. Don’t worry, I’m not turning my back on biochemistry– I will spend a couple afternoons a week in the new experimental biochemistry labs. There is no doubt that this semester will be busy, but I look forward to the challenges and rewards it will bring.

Welcome to all the students! Good luck in this new year. Your professors are looking for enthusiasm, hard work, and all the toughest questions you can muster.

-jap