The Buss Group

Josh grew up in rural Arizona before venturing west to attend Claremont McKenna College as a Questbridge National College Match Scholar. He discovered a passion for chemistry research in the lab of Anna Wenzel, developing novel cyclization and coupling methods. He discovered his affinity for inorganic synthesis as a summer REU student with Mike Heinekey at the University of Washington. Josh completed his Ph.D. at the California Institute of Technology under the mentorship of Theo Agapie, studying the small molecule activation reactivity of para-terphenyl diphosphine supported molybdenum complexes. His work elucidating the mechanisms of C1 oxygenate reduction and catenation was awarded the Herbert Newby McCoy award in 2018. He next pursued an NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship with Shannon Stahl at the University of Wisconsin. Contrasting his metal-centric dissertation work, Josh focused on selective C-H radical relay oxidation catalysis, for pharmaceutical core diversification and late-stage functionalization.

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Josh will be starting his independent career at the University of Michigan in August 2020. Go Blue!

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Outside of the lab, Josh can be found conducting experiments in the kitchen, exploring the great outdoors, enjoying time with family and friends, and pampering his puppy, Louie.