Spring 2020
Fall 2019
Section 0292 of CHEM12A
Organic Chemistry -- : Aug 19 - Dec 11 2019
MESA students are encouraged to enroll in the above section.
Summer 2019
Ph. D., Organic Chemistry, Northwestern University (Evanston, IL)
M.B.A., Management of Technology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, MA)
B.S., Chemistry, Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, IL)
Academic Experience:
Adjunct Faculty, Chemistry, Santa Rosa Junior College (Santa Rosa, CA) 2016 - present
Adjunct Faculty, Chemistry, Wichita State University (Wichita, KS), 2011 - 2015
Work and Consulting Experience:
Director of Operations, Imprivata, Inc. (Lexington, MA)
Consultant, NEC Solutions America (Sacramento, CA)
Various positions with Polaroid Corporation (Cambridge, MA)
College Board AP Chemistry Exam Reader (2015 - 2018)
Professional Involvement and Community Service:
Sierra Club, Life Member
The Planetary Society, Charter Member
Presentations and Publications:
“Acidities of Benzyl Phenyl Sulfones and of the Corresponding Radical Cations,” F.G. Bordwell, Mark J. Bausch, John C. Branca and John A. Harrelson, Jr. J. Phys. Org. Chem. (1988), 1(4), 225-239.
“Enhancement of the Equilibrium Acidities of Carbon Acids by Polyfluoroaryl Subsituents,” F.G. Bordwell, John C. Branca, Joseph E. Bares and Robert Filler. J. Org. Chem. (1988), 53(4), 780-782.
“Brønsted βNu Values and Leaving Group Effects in Sn2 Reactions. Tests of the Reactivity–Selectivity Postulate,” F.G. Bordwell, John C. Branca and Thomas A. Cripe. Isr. J. Chem. (1985), 26(4), 357-366.
“Predicting the Long-Term, Dark-Keeping Image Stability of Polaroid Land Black and White Photographs,” John C. Branca and Robert W. Tulis. Abstracts of the First International Symposium on the Stability and Preservation of Photographic Images. (1982). National Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
“Acidities of Sulfoximines and Related Oxosulfonium Cations. Cyclopropyl Effects and Structures of –Sulfonyl-type Carbanions,” Frederick G. Bordwell, John C. Branca, Carl R. Johnson and Noel R. Vanier. J. Org. Chem. (1980), 45(19), 3884-3889.
“Equilibriums Involving Organic Anions in Dimethyl Sulfoxide and N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one: Acidities, Ion Pairing, and Hydrogen Bonding,” Frederick G. Bordwell, John C. Branca, David L. Hughes and William N. Olmstead. J. Org. Chem. (1980), 45(16), 3305-3313.
“The Effects of Structural Variation on Kinetic and Thermodynamic Anion Stability in Dimethyl Sulfoxide Solution: Anchoring of the Absolute Acidity Scale, Hammett Studies on Benzyl Phenyl Sulfones, 3-Substituted Fluorenes and Arylmalononitriles,” John Charles Branca. Diss. Abstr. Int. B (1979), 40(6), 2671.
“Aryl Effects and Acidities of Ammonia, Toluene, and Methane in Dipolar Nonhydroxylic Solvents,” Donald Algrim, Joseph E. Bares, John C. Branca and F.G. Bordwell. J. Org. Chem. (1978), 43(26), 5024-5026.
“Rapid Reaction of Benzhydryl Sulfones with Carbon Tetrachloride–Potassium Hydroxide. New Route to 1,1-Diarylalkenes,” Cal Y. Meyers, Walter S. Matthews, Gregory J. McCollum and John C. Branca. Tetrahedron Lett. (1974), (13), 1105-1108.
“Mechanism of the Direct formation of Alkenesulfonic Acids from the Reaction of Sulfones with Carbon Tetrachloride–Potassium Hydroxide. Intermediacy of gem–α–dichloro Sulfones and Thiirene–1,1-dioxides,” Cal Y. Meyers, Laurence L. Ho, Gregory J. McCollum and John Branca. Tetrahedron Lett. (1973), (21), 1843-1846.
Honors and Awards:
US Patent 6,630,970. Polarizers for use in liquid crystal displays (2003).
US Patent 6,122,079. Chromatically-adjusted holographically illuminated image-providing display element (2000).
