Diego Javier-Jiménez

Post-doctoral Scholar @UCF | @watermangroup alum | @UMassD alum

[Maxwell @TolemustheGrey]

My plan is more like Undergrad --> PhD --> Postdoc --> Postdoc --> Postdoc --> Postdoc --> Postdoc --> Postdoc --> Sort of interesting homeless man who haunts a denny's --> Postdoc --> die peacefully in bed surrounded by 150 papers with 10 citations each

[Chemistry Europe @ChemEurope]

#ChemCatChem Comparative analysis of group 1 pre-catalysts in hydrophosphination by @rwluddite and @watermangroup reveals increased activity with atomic number but also strategies to increase activity of lighter, more abundant metals #openaccess 🔓 https://t.co/tzzNivkyCb

[Waterman Group @watermangroup]

Magnum opus of @_djavierjimenez with current @UVMChemistry student @ejfinfer and @uvermont alum Matt Reuter & Gavin Sicard appeared today: Group I tert‐Amylates: A Comparative Study in Hydrophosphination Reactions https://t.co/GbmKivzEQ6

[Zemen Berhe, PhD @zemensberhe]

Appreciation Post 💛

As I wrap up the spring semester as a Chemistry Professor at @SimmonsUniv I’m feeling incredibly grateful! Teaching & engaging with my students this semester has been such a joy! Watching them grow, question and challenge themselves has been the highlight of my year so far!!
Thank you to Dr. Paul Geisler, Dean of the School of Sciences & Health Professions, and Dr. Rich Gurney, Professor and Chair of the Chemistry and Physics Department, for their incredible support throughout the semester!!

In this moment of reflection, I can’t help but think about where I started.

As the daughter of Tigrayan refugees who fled war in Ethiopia and found a new home in Germany in the late ‘70s/early ‘80s, my story starts with hope! I was born and raised in Stuttgart, Germany and was fortunate to benefit from an amazing (and free!) education system! Danke Deutschland @en_germany !!

My siblings and I became the first generation in our family to graduate from elementary school, high school, and college. And last year, I earned my PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry from @UMass @UMassD ! Sometimes I still can’t believe it, especially knowing I had no idea what a PhD or even chemistry was when I first started high school!

This journey was made possible by people who believed in me:
My high school chemistry teacher, Mr. Roth, who introduced me to science and made me fall in love with it. I had no scientists in my family, but he saw something in me and encouraged me to explore it.

My incredible graduate school advisor, Dr. Emmanuel Ojadi who was a chemistry professor at @UMass @UMassDCAS! He was more than a PhD advisor, he was a mentor, guide, and supporter through it all! He passed away last year two months after I defended my dissertation, but he got to see me walk across the stage. I’ll always carry his kindness and belief in me with me! May he rest in peace!

I also want to thank @UMassD Chancellor @UMass_Mark for his leadership & ongoing support! I was deeply honored to hear his remarks that I’ve been a great representative of UMass and have presented the university well!! That recognition means so much to me & reaffirms why I continue to do the work I do!

And my biggest hero, my mom. She raised me and my siblings on her own, never had the chance to go to school herself, but always reminded us: “Education is the key.” Her love and sacrifices are the foundation of everything I’ve achieved!

So as I look back at my journey and forward to what’s ahead, here’s what I hope you take from my story:

Ask for help.
Don’t count yourself out.
Learn from others.
Be humble.
Reach out.
Take rest.
Enjoy your favorite meal.
Take that new opportunity.
Learn. Live. Laugh.

Thank you to everyone who’s helped me get to where I am today. I carry your belief with me every step of the way.

From refugee roots to a PhD in chemistry, I’m humbled, I’m proud, and I’m so incredibly thankful. 🙏🏾 #FirstGen

[Robert J. Gilliard, Jr. @RJGilliard]

Our manuscript on borinine-FLP mediated bond activation and ring expansion is now online @ChemicalScience! https://t.co/Y8gvoOpiSv @nathan_frey_ @samiriisc #maingroup

[UMass Dartmouth @UMassD]

And just like that, the semester comes to an end. 🙌

Check out these end-of-semester event highlights featuring Moonlight Breakfast, Lavender Graduation, Chemistry & Biochemistry Honors and Awards, and Grill & Chill in the Quad.

Next up? Finals! You got this Corsairs! 🌟

[Robert J. Gilliard, Jr. @RJGilliard]

Teaching update: The last few main-group chem graduate courses I've taught have produced Wikipedia articles, that are internally peer reviewed, to make #maingroup content more accessible to the public. One of this year's first to be posted is on borirene: https://t.co/sjFX5zjR1T

[Diego Javier-Jiménez @_djavierjimenez]

@michellerbrann @watermangroup Thank you Michelle, it was a pleasure meeting you! 😊

[Emma Jo Finfer @ejfinfer]

go Diego go!

[Diego Javier-Jiménez @_djavierjimenez]

Thankful for the group and of course @rwluddite #PhDone 🥳

[Waterman Group @watermangroup]

Overdue congratulations to Dr. @_djavierjimenez on the successful defense of his dissertation!!

[Waterman Group @watermangroup]

Overdue congratulations to Dr. @_djavierjimenez on the successful defense of his dissertation!!

[Waterman Group @watermangroup]

Cover art affiliated with Claire, @_djavierjimenez, and Matt's paper in @DaltonTrans is out! Check it out: https://t.co/oMtz9axN0k #magnesium #dehydrocoupling #MainGroup

[ACS Green Chemistry Institute @ACSGCI]

Check out the 2024 Green & Sustainable Chemistry Summer School cohort! These grad students spent a week @uvmvermont learning from excellent faculty, collaborating on team projects, & building relationships. Look out for these rising leaders in green chemistry & engineering!

[ACS Green Chemistry Institute @ACSGCI]

This June, ACS GCI hosted the 2024 Green & Sustainable Chemistry Summer School at the @uvmvermont. Huge thanks to our incredible faculty for sharing their expertise on #greenchemistry, environmental justice, innovation, and much more with an awesome cohort of future leaders.

[ACS Green Chemistry Institute @ACSGCI]

Last night's final poster session of the 2024 ACS GCI Green & Sustainable Chemistry Summer School was a high-energy event! #GSCSS graduate students did a great job presented their own #greenchemistry research.

[ACS Green Chemistry Institute @ACSGCI]

We're in Burlington, Vermont! It's the first day of the @ACSGCI Green & Sustainable Chemistry Summer School, with about 70 grad students from South, Central, & North America gathered here. It's going to be a full and fun week of #greenchemistry in the Green Mountain State!

[ACS Green Chemistry Institute @ACSGCI]

Last night, the students at the ACS GCI Green and Sustainable Chemistry Summer School shared their group posters exploring the pros and cons of greener methodologies. #ACSGCISummerSchool

[Waterman Group @watermangroup]

Award winners assembled!

[Waterman Group @watermangroup]

Group members/alum, Matt Reuter, @_djavierjimenez, Gavin Sicard, and Claire Bushey rocking a heap of @UVMChemistry awards!