Wardrop Lab About Duncan

About Duncan

Duncan Wardrop

Duncan Wardrop

Education & Experience

University of Glasgow
1987–1991
B.Sc. (Hons), Chemistry

University of Glasgow
1991–1995
Ph.D., Organic Chemistry

Oregon State University
1995–1997
Post-Doctoral Associate

University of Illinois Chicago
1997–date
Associate Professor

Research Interests

Selective Enzyme Inhibition
  • Development of isoform-selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors
  • Design of dual-targeting HDAC6/HDAC10 inhibitors
  • Optimization of zinc-binding groups and linkers, including amide bioisosteres
  • Investigation of HDAC biology in oncology and tumor immunity
Synthetic Methodology and Total Synthesis
  • Nitrenium ion chemistry
  • Hypervalent iodine(III)-mediated oxidation and oxidative C–N bond formation
  • Synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles and bridged bicyclic amines
  • Total synthesis of complex alkaloids, including zamamiphidin A and himalensine A

Curriculum Vitae

    • Teaching
      CHEM 232, Organic Chemistry 1 (UG)
      Course Instructor, Spring 2017–2020

      CHEM 235, Advanced Synthesis Techniques (UG)
      Course Instructor, Spring 2022–date

      CHEM 432, Advanced Organic Chemistry (UG)
      Course Instructor, 2004–date

      CHEM 530, Literature Seminars in Organic Chemistry (G)
      Course Instructor, 2025–date
    • Publications
    • Service
      UIC College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
      Education Policy Committee, 2022–2025
      Education Policy Committee, 2026–date

      UIC Graduate College
      Graduate Executive Committee, 2025–date
      Graduate Executive Committee, 2015–2018

      UIC Honors College
      Honors Council, 2026–date

      Department of Chemistry
      Departmental Advisory Committee, 2016–date
      Director of Graduate Studies, 2016–date
      Associate Director of Graduate Studies, 2011–2015
      Educational Policy Committee, 2004–2010
      Learning Science Faculty Search Committee, Fall 2009
      Website Committee, 2006–2010
      Space Committee, 2006–2010
      Graduate Recruitment Committee, 2004–2008
      Organic Faculty Search Committee, 1998–2006
      Departmental Seminar Coordinator, 1998–2000

      UIC Office of Special Scholarship
      Interviewer for British Scholarship Candidates, 2010–date
    • Outreach
      Chicago Transformation Teacher Institutes (CTTI)

      Chicago Public Schools (CPS) High School Transformation Project

      American Cancer Society (Illinois Division)
      Research Advisory Committee, 2004–2008
      ACS High School Research Program, Mentor

      The Center for Authentic Science Practice in Education (CASPiE)

      Undergraduate Research UIC Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)