My research program has typically been divided into the following three areas: (1) 4+3 cycloaddition chemistry, (2) the chemistry of Kagan's ether and Troeger's base and (3) the chemistry of benzothiazines.

In the area of 4+3 cycloaddition chemistry, we continue our focus on intramolecular reactions, but have expanded our investigations to the intermolecular area as well. New developments are centered on the developed of asymmetric processes and the application of methodology we have invented to the synthesis of biologically active natural products, compounds which served as drug leads or important tools for discovering the molecular mechanism by which small molecular produce their effects in living systems.

Our work with Kagan's ether and Troeger's base centers on the development of new chiral templates for applications in catalysis, molecular recognition and supramolecular chemistry. One current goal is developing a series of molecules for a process we call asymmetric charge transfer catalysis.

Finally, the construction of new chiral ligands for applications in asymmetric catalysis is one goal of our work involving the cyclic sulfoximines known as benzothiazines. We also have developed methodology which is applicable to the asymmetric total synthesis of a wide variety of natural products, including those of the pseudopterosin class. These compounds have biological activities which include powerful analgesic effects and potent antitubercular activity.