Bio

Ph. D. in Organic/Computational Chemistry

The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 2013

B.A. in Chemistry, Minor in Psychology

Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH, 2008

Research Overview

Dr. Yoder’s current research involves the use of molecular modeling experiments to solve critical issues that threaten the health of populations around the globe.  Specifically, combatting the effects of toxic organophosphorus nerve agents, such as the sarin gas used in the 2013 attack in Syria, and the detection of harmful anions in aqueous solutions where abnormally high levels exist naturally in areas of the developing world.  Current efforts involve molecular docking studies examining the interaction of potential therapeutics with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and modeling of the spectroscopic principles of potential aqueous fluoride, chloride, and bromide probes.  These projects are a part of larger collaborations with faculty in Columbus and provide an opportunity for students who may be seeking a variety of career paths to participate in undergraduate research on campus in Marion .  Students involved in these projects have presented their work at the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum and the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society among other proceedings.

Recent Publications

Yoder, R.J 2014. Cesium Acetate. e-EROS Encyclopedia for Organic Synthesis.

Ruan, Y.; Taha, H.A.; Yoder, R.J.; Maslak, V.; Hadad, C.M.; Badjic, J.D., “The Prospect of Selective Recognition of Nerve Agents with Modular Basket-like Hosts. A Structure-Activity Study of the Entrapment of a Series of Organophosphonates in Aqueous Media” J. Phys. Chem. B. 2013, 117 (11), 3240-3249.

Hermann, K.; Sardini, S.; Ruan, Y.; Yoder, R.J.; Chakraborty, M.; Vyas, S.; Hadad, C.M.; Badjic, J.D. “Method for the Preparation of Derivatives of Heptiptycene: Toward Dual-Cavity Baskets” J. Org. Chem. 2013, 78 (7), 2984-2991.

Whittemore, S.M.; Yoder, R.J.; Stambuli, J.P., “Site-Selective Alkyl Dehydrogenation of a Coordinated Acylphosphine Ligand” Organometallics. 2012. 31 (17), 6124-6130.