Department of Chemistry

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Craig Wilcox

Professor

Contact

1407 CHVRN
Chevron Science Center, 219 Parkman Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-8270

Research Overview

Organic Chemistry; Tröger’s Base; Synthetic Receptors and Host-Guest Chemistry; Radical Cyclization of Carbohydrates; Ion Pair Catalysis; The Molecular Torsion Balance; Precipitons

Current Activities

Professor Wilcox began his independent academic research and teaching career in 1981. In 2016 he retired from teaching and directing research in the field of organic chemistry; he no longer accepts students, post-docs, or faculty members for research training in his laboratory.

Dr. Wilcox continues to serve on dissertation committees and serves the University as Chairman of the Conflict of Interest Committee and as University Research Integrity Officer

The Conflict of Interest Committee (COIC) plays an important role in assisting the University and our campus community with managing potential effects of individual and institutional financial interests that can often arise from collaborative interactions with industry partners and engagement in entrepreneurial activities. Management of conflicts of interest (COI) is important for compliance with NIH, NSF, and other relevant federal regulations and to ensure that the University’s reputation and research programs are not compromised by even an appearance of inattention to this matter. University COI policy* was revised in May 2018 to enhance the institution’s ability to advance the public good through the dissemination of University-generated technology and to help achieve the Chancellor’s objective of increasing the impact of Pitt’s research through commercialization and industrial partnerships. The revised COI policy loosened previous restrictions on University members’ engagements in entrepreneurial activities but continues to recognize the importance of COI management to protect the integrity and reputation of the University’s research and our investigators. Members of the COIC are appointed by the Senior Vice Chancellor for Research; the Chair of the COIC is appointed by the Chancellor. The functions and activities of the COI Committee and the Chair of the COI Committee are supported by the COI Division of the Office of Research Protections.

 

The Research Integrity Officer (RIO) oversees the administration of University’s Research Integrity Policy (Policy #RI 07) and other University policies (e.g., those in the Faculty Handbook and in the Guidelines for Responsible Conduct of Research) that apply to research integrity issues.  The RIO is the focal point for research misconduct allegations and investigations within the University. In these matters the RIO is also the principal liaison between the University and relevant federal agency offices.

 The RIO directs the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), which has responsibility for promoting ethical conduct of research in the University and for ensuring proper process in any University proceedings to address alleged violations of research integrity.  The ORI and the RIO advocate for high standards of research integrity by conducting educational programs on responsible conduct of research for students, faculty members, and other investigators.  The RIO is appointed by the Chancellor and reports through the Vice Chancellor for Research Protections to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Research.

Links of Current Interest

*University of Pittsburgh COI policy: “Conflict of Interest for Research”, Policy RI 01, 2018

NIH COI Policy: “Responsibility of Applicants for Promoting Objectivity in Research for Which Public Health Service Funding Is Sought and Responsible Federal Contractors”, 42 CFR Part 50 (Subpart F)  and 45 CFR Part 94, published in Federal Register 2011, 76 (165), 53256-53293

NSF COI Policy: “Chapter IX: Grantee Standards – (Part A) Conflict of Interest Policies”, NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide, 2019

Definitions, guidance, and explanations relevant to COI, the COIC, and Pitt’s COI annual disclosure process may be found at the website of the COI Division of the Office of Research Protections

University of Pittsburgh research misconduct policy:  “Research Integrity”, Policy RI 07, 2017

Ethical practices in research for Pitt investigators:  “Guidelines for the Responsible Conduct of Research”, University of Pittsburgh, 2016

 

 

Awards

  • [Representative past professional services are also included here.]
  • Plenary Lecture, “Modern Aspects of Tröger’s Base Chemistry”, University of Leipzig; 2012
  • Plenary Lecture, “Symposium on Synthetic Receptors”, Lund University/Swedish Chemical Society/Royal Swedish Acad. of Sciences, Lund, Sweden; 2005
  • Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Senior Scholar Award, University of Pittsburgh; 2003
  • Organizing Committee, Pennsylvania Nanotechnology Initiative; 2002
  • Core Faculty Member, NIMH Workshops on Professional Survival Skills and Ethics – Topic: Research Management and Mentorship; 2001-2012
  • Chairman, Department of Chemistry – University of Pittsburgh; 1997-2002
  • Co-Chair, Gordon Research Conference on Bioorganic Chemistry; 1996
  • Co-organizer, NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Bioorganic Catalysis; 1995
  • Monbusho Fellowship, Japan Ministry of Science, Education, and Culture; 1995
  • Votocek Lecture, Prague Institute of Chemical Technology; 1995
  • Fellow of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; 1988-1992
  • Co-Chair, NSF Workshop on Natural Products and Synthetic Chem.; 1986-1988

Publications

“Chemical Partitioning Agents and Methods of Using Same,” C.S. Wilcox, S. Paliwal U.S. Patent No. 2004, 6 706, 839
“A Photoactivated Precipiton for Reagent Sequestration in Solution-Phase Synthesis,” T. Bosanac, C.S. Wilcox Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 4194-4195
“Substrate Specific Catalysis by Ion Pairs,” P.J. Smith, E. Kim, and C.S. Wilcox Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1993, 32, 1648-1650