Dr. Robert Iafe is Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM).

He earned his B.S. in Chemistry, cum laude with Honors, from Loyola Marymount University (LMU), where he conducted undergraduate research with Dr. James Roe and Dr. James Landry. He then attended the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), earning an M.S. in Computational Chemistry under the direction of Dr. Kendall N. Houk and a Ph.D. in Chemistry under the direction of Dr. Craig Merlic.

Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Iafe served as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the W.M. Keck Science Department of the Claremont Colleges and completed postdoctoral research with Prof. Anna Wenzel. He joined the faculty at CSUSM in 2014, was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2020, and to Professor in 2026. He currently serves as Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

Dr. Iafe's research is in organic chemistry, with a focus on method development and the synthesis of small molecules. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in organic chemistry, including CHEM 200, CHEM 201, CHEM 201L, CHEM 202, CHEM 202L, and CHEM 502.

Leadership & Service

• Professor and Chair, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
• CB-TLC Program Director – NSF Award No. 2029167
• VMLC Program Director – NSF Award No. 2527879
• Faculty Champion for Teacher Recruitment (FaCTR) Fellow
• Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP) Mentor
• Campus Representative: Goldwater
• Founding President: Sigma Xi – CSUSM Chapter 
• Departmental and University Service: Budget & Long-range Planning (BLP), Vice Chair Governance and Planning Committee (GPC), Committee on Undergraduate Research (CUGR), Green Chemistry Committee, and Reinstatement Committee

• Teaching/Postdoctoral Scholar, 2011–2014, W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA
• Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, 2011, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
• M.S., Computational Chemistry, 2008, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
• B.S., Chemistry, 2004, Cum Laude, Honors, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA

Publications (* denotes undergraduate student)

1. *Seranno, A.; Kuo, J. L.; Boon, B. A.; Merlic, C. A.; Iafe, R. G. "Highly Regio- and Stereoselective Preparation of Z-Vinylboronates by a Formal Trans-Hydroboration of Terminal Alkynes." Tetrahedron Lett. 2026, 180, 156055.
2. *King, B. H.; *Wang, M. L.; *Jesse, K. A.; *Kaur, G.; *Tran, B.; *Walser-Kuntz, R.; Iafe, R. G.; Wenzel, A. G. "Silver-Catalyzed, N-Formylation of Amines Using Glycol Ethers." J. Org. Chem. 2020, 85, 13256–13263.
3. *Oakley, J. V.; *Stanley, T. J.; *Jesse, K. A.; *Melanese, A. K; *Alvarez, A. A.; Prince, A. L.; Cain, S. E.; Wenzel, A. G.; Iafe, R. G. "Gold-Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts-like Reaction of Benzylic Alcohols to Afford 1,1-Diarylalkanes." Euro. J. Org. Chem. 2019, 42, 7063–7066.
4. Karabiyikoglu, S.; Iafe, R. G.; Merlic, C. A. "Ring-Closing Metathesis with Vicinal Dibromoalkenes as Protected Alkynes: A Synthetic Approach to Macrocyclic Enynes." Org. Lett. 2015, 17, 5248–5251.
5. *Vinson, A. R. S.; *Davis, V. K.; *Arunasalam, A.; *Jesse, K. A.; *Hamilton, R. E.; *Shattuck, M. A.; *Hu, A. C.; Iafe, R. G.; Wenzel, A. G. "Gold-Catalyzed, SN1-Type Reaction of Alcohols to Ethers and Cbz-Protected Amines." Synlett 2015, 26, 765–770.
6. Iafe, R. G.; *Kuo, J. L.; Hochstatter, D. G.; *Saga, T.; *Turner, J. W.; Merlic, C. A. "Increasing the Efficiency of the Transannular Diels-Alder Strategy via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Macrocyclizations." Org. Lett. 2013, 15, 582–585.
7. Iafe, R. G.; Chan, D. G.; *Kuo, J. L.; Boon, B. A.; *Faizi, D. J.; Saga, T.; *Turner, J. W.; Merlic, C. A. "Cyclization Strategies to Polyenes Using Pd(II)-Catalyzed Couplings of Pinacol Vinylboronates." Org. Lett. 2012, 14, 4282–4285.
8. Gutierrez, O.; Iafe, R. G.; Houk, K. N. "Origin of Stereoselectivity in the Imidazolidinone-Catalyzed Reductions of Cyclic α,β-Unsaturated Ketones." Org. Lett. 2009, 11, 4298–4301.
9. Ess, D. H.; Wheeler, S. E.; Iafe, R. G.; Xu, L.; Celebi-Olcum, N.; Houk, K. N. "Bifurcations on Potential Energy Surfaces of Organic Reactions." Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 7592–7601.
10. Iafe, R. G.; Houk, K. N. "Intramolecular Hetero-Diels-Alder Reactions of Imine and Iminium Dienophiles: Quantum Mechanical Exploration of Mechanisms and Stereoselectivities." J. Org. Chem. 2008, 73, 2679–2686.
11. Iafe, R. G.; Houk, K. N. "Stereoselectivity Control by Torsional Steering in an Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction of Vinyl Oxocarbenium Ions." Org. Lett. 2006, 8, 3469–3472.

Grants/Fellowships

1. 2025: NSF #2527879 S-STEM $1,977,368
2. 2025: RSCA Cottrell Lectureships Award $1,500
3. 2024: CSUBIOTECH Faculty-Graduate Student Research Collaboration Grant $7,500
4. 2023: Beyond Benign Green Chemistry Education Challenge Award $10,000
5. 2023: CSUSM CALM $4,000
6. 2023: CSUPERB CD $15,000  
7. 2023: Pfizer AIR Diversity (Llamas) $20,000
8. 2020: NSF #2029167 S-STEM $999,875
9. 2020: CSUPERB Presidents' Commission Scholarship (Stockton) $8,000
10. 2019: Hamilton $1,000
11. 2019: CSUPERB Presidents' Commission Scholarship (Shoemaker) $8,000
12. 2019: ACS DOC SURF (Melanese) $5,000
13. 2018: FC PD Grant $800
14. 2018: OGSR GPSM $1,732
15. 2018: NCHEA *NSPIRE Graduate Student Lecture Series $3,000
16. 2018: Jean Dreyfus Lectureship for Undergraduate Institutions $18,500
17. 2018: OGSR GPSM $3,000
18. 2017: CALM $1,000
19. 2017: CSUPERB Presidents' Commission Scholarship (Apolinar) $8,000
20. 2015. OGSR GPSM $3,000
21. 2015. CSUPERB NI $15,000

• CHEM 200: Bridge to Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 201: Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 201L: Organic Chemistry I Lab
• CHEM 202: Organic Chemsitry II
• CHEM 202L: Organic Chemistry II Lab
• Chem 399: Special Problems in Chemistry - Laboratory
• CHEM 499: Senior Laboratory Thesis and Seminar
• CHEM 502: Advanced Organic Synthesis
• CHEM 691: Graduate Student Colloquium in Chemistry and Biochemistry
• CHEM 697: Directed Studies
• CHEM 698: Thesis Research

*To enroll in CHEM 399/CHEM 499, refer to the Department's research web page. CHEM 697/CHEM 698 is restricted to Chemistry MS students. Prospective undergraduate and M.S. researchers are encouraged to contact Prof. Iafe at riafe(at)csusm.edu. Prospective M.S. students should apply to the graduate program at CSUSM. Individuals seeking to join the Iafe lab should expect to undergo a rigorous selection process that includes submission of relevant application materials and an in-person interview.

Professional History:

• Professor, 2026–Present, Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, California State University San Marcos
• Department Chair, 2024–Present, Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, California State University San Marcos
• Associate Professor, 2020–2026, Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, California State University San Marcos
• Assistant Professor, 2014–2020, Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, California State University San Marcos
• Visiting Assistant Professor, 2011–2014, W.M. Keck Science Department at the Claremont Colleges
• Lecturer, 2011, UCLA Extension

University Service:

• Governance Planning Committee (CSTEM), 2025–present
• Faculty Development Committee (CSTEM), 2023–2025
• Research Reactivation Committee, 2020–2021
• Chemistry MS Graduate Coordinator, 2019–2024
• Undergraduate Research Faculty Fellow (CUGR Chair) 2019–2021
• STEM Tutoring and SI Faculty Liaison. 2018–2019
• Faculty Champion for Teacher Recruitment (FaCTR) Fellow, 2017–present
• CSUBIOTECH Faculty Consensus Group (FCG) Member, 2016–2025
• Academic Reinstatement Committee (CSTEM), 2015–present
• Committee for Undergraduate Research (CUGR), 2015–present

Professional Societies:

• American Chemical Society, member
• Royal Society of Chemistry, member
• Sigma Xi, full member
• Council on Undergraduate Research, member
• Alpha Sigma Nu, member

Awards:

• 2024, CSTEM Faculty Outreach Award, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, CSUSM
• 2024, Cougars Affordable Learning Materials (CALM) Program, Spring 2014 Award (w/ EG, JJ, & RC), CSUSM, CA
• 2023, CSTEM Award for Outstanding Faculty Student Collaboration (w/ Gabrielle Martinez, UCI), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CSUSM
• 2021, CSTEM Award for Outstanding Faculty Student Collaboration (w/ Amanda Melanese, Colorado State University), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CSUSM
• 2020, Cougar Career Champion, Faculty Center, CSUSM
• 2019, Safety, Health & Sustainability Safety Champion, Safety, Health, & Sustainability Office, CSUSM
• 2019, Cougar Career Champion, Faculty Center, CSUSM
• 2019, CSM Award for Outstanding Faculty Student Collaboration (w/ Omar Apolinar, Scripps Research Institute/University of Oxford), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CSUSM
• 2019, Advisor of the Year Tukwut Leadership Award, ASI, CSUSM
• 2019, President's Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching Innovation & Excellence, CSUSM, CA.
• 2018, Kerri Mowen Excellence in Faculty Mentoring Award, OGSR, CSUSM, CA
• 2017, Cougars Affordable Learning Materials (CALM) Program, Spring 2017 Award (w/ JT & EG), CSUSM, CA
• 2016, CSM Award for Outstanding Faculty Student Collaboration (w/ Gloria Diaz, Ph.D.), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CSUSM, CA
• 2011, Hanson-Dow Award for Excellence in Teaching, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, CA

Follow the Team — LinkedIn — X/Twitter 

Undergraduate Students

Jennifer Long

Major: Biochemistry

After obtaining an undergraduate degree, I would like to attend graduate school.
My goal is to work in a laboratory management position while attending Bastyr University to pursue naturopathic medicine.

 

Tiffany Uribe

Major: Biochemistry

I plan to pursue an MD or DO with the goal of specializing in maternal and fetal health.
I hope to complete an Maternal-Fetal residency.

 

 

Group Photos:

Thank you to the following for providing financial assistance to our lab: CSUSM, NSF, Beckman Foundation, Dreyfus Foundation, Goldwater, Pfizer, Hologic, ACS Division of Organic Chemistry, Genentech, McNair, CTREE, U-Rise, NCHEA, CSUSM OGSR, Hamilton, San Diego Foundation, and CSUPERB.

• Sam Acosta [Summer Scholar], 2018.  Development Chemist – PolyPeptide Group.
• Natalie Dungca (Adamson), 2018.  Quality Assurance Engineer – Versum Materials.
• Lina Ahlberg, 2017.  Quality Engineer – Illumina.
• Sebastian Aguero, 2025.  Bioanalytical Research Associate – Vertex.
  • Barry Goldwater Scholarship, 2023
• Araceli Plascencia (Alvarez), 2020.   PhD 2026 – Boston University.
• Omar Apolinar [Presidents' Commission Scholar], 2019.  PhD 2025 – Scripps Research Institute; DPhil 2025 – Oxford University.
  • NSF Predoctoral Fellow, 2019
• Emily Aguilar, 2019. Research Associate – Gilead Sciences.
• Brysa Alvarado [Jean Dreyfus Scholar], 2020.  PhD Student – George Washington University.
• Marcella Belardes [Summer Scholar], 2023.
• Sean Blythe, 2025.  PhD Student – Colorado State University.
• Amanda Everett (Bookout), 2018.  PharmD 2022 – UCSD. Pharmacist – UCSD.
• Donald Buckley, 2016.  HS Science Teacher – Irvine Unified.
• Stephanie Cain, 2017.  Medical School – University of Missouri.
• Monica Cisneros [Summer Scholar], 2023. Associate Formulations Scientist – Eurofins PSS.
• Maribel Clerk, 2020. MS 2024 – UCSD.  Purification Scientists – Spectrix Analytical Services.
  • NSF Doctoral Fellow, 2022
• Melisa Dean [Summer Scholar], 2016.  Quality Assurance Manager – Baxter.
• Gloria Diaz [Summer Scholar], 2016.  PhD 2023 – University of Michigan. Environmental Health Specialist – County of San Mateo.
• Tamara El-Hayek Ewing [Chem MS], 2021. Scientific Associate (Lab Manager) – Scripps Research.
• Mikhail Elerdashvili [Summer Scholar], 2022.  Scientist I – Becton Dickinson.
• Kasumi Faile [Chem MS], 2025. PhD Student – Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.
• Karen Fernandez
• Victor Franco Bolanos, 2019. Equipment Technician – CSUSM.
• Elie Ghasb, 2016.  MD 2022 – UCR.
• Karissa Grier [Summer Scholar], 2024. Single Subject Teaching Credential Program, CSUSM.
• Brittney Klasic [Summer Scholar], 2016.  Pharmacy Technician – Scripps Health.
• Roberto Leon Baxin, 2021.  PhD student – University of Rochester.
• Iliana Levesque [Summer Scholar], 2017.  PhD 2025 – University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Senior Scientist – Integrated Bioanalysis at AstraZeneca.
• Diana Llamas [Pfizer AIR Diversity Research Fellow], 2025.  PhD student – Texas A&M.
• Adam Lovato [Summer Scholar], 2023.  PhD student – Purdue University.
• Emily Lyon [Summer Scholar], 2021. Scientist I – MicroVention-Terumo.
• Gabrielle Connolly (Martinez), 2023.  MS 2026 – UCI.
• Jessica Maynard-Scott [Summer Scholar], 2016. MS 2019 – UCSD. Supervisor, Bioanalytical Chemistry – MicroConstants.
• Dominic McGrosso, 2017. PhD 2022 – UCSD.
• Amanda Melanese [ACS DOC SURF], 2021.   PhD 2026 – Colorado State University.
• Sharai Mendez, 2018.  MS 2022 – SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program.
• Mercedes Nguyen [Summer Scholar], 2019. Associate Manufacturing Scientist – MilliporeSigma.
• James Oakley [Summer Scholar], 2018.   PhD 2023 – Princeton University. Senior Scientist, Chemoproteomics – Pfizer.
  • NSF Predoctoral Fellow, 2018
• Diego Orea [McNair], 2021. PhD student – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • NSF Predoctoral Fellow, Honorable Mention, 2021
• Jaida Osman, 2022. PhD student – University of Irvine.
• Jacqueline Perez, 2018. Research Associate I – Wildcat Discovery Technologies.
• Kiera Raminrez, 2026.
• Jacqueline Robinos, 2016. Senior Lead Bioprocess Technician – Genentech.
• Santana Rodriguez [Summer Scholar], 2025. PhD student – OSU.
• Shiraz Rokach [Summer Scholar], 2023. Production Chemist – Bachem.
• Daniel Ruiz, 2020. Bioanalytical Scientist I – MicroConstants.
• Jessica Scott, 2019. Process Engineer II – Illumina.
• Helen Sedrak, 2018. PharmD 2022 – Loma Linda. PGY1 Pharmacy Resident – Palomar Health.
• Arianna Serrano [Summer Scholar], 2026. PhD student – UIUC.
• Mariana Shabo [Summer Scholar], 2018.  Medical School – St. George's University.
• Kaylee Shoemaker [Presidents' Commission Scholar], 2021.  PhD student – UCI.
• Amanda Smolin [Chem MS], 2021.  Senior Research Associate – Oligonucleotide Chemistry.
• Tyler Stanley, 2018.  Laboratory Technician – Wildcat Discovery Technologies.
• Leeluleilani Stockton [Presidents' Commission Scholar], 2023. Research Associate II – Consumable Assay Technology (Roche).
• Jasimine Terrell, 2017.  Senior Research Associate – Gilead.
• Andrew Thomas. 2016.  Sr Engineer - Process Development – Illumina.
• Cris Thompson [Summer Scholar], 2017.  Scientist II Antibody Conjugation – Thermo Fisher Scientific.
• Kory Ulle, 2016.  Substitute Teacher – EUHSD.
• Sidney Vargas [Summer Scholar], 2022. Chemistry Production Technician – Bio Edge.
• Jenny Veyna, 2018.  CPA 2025.
• Madison Wagner [Beckman Scholar], 2022.  PhD student – Scripps Research Institute.
  • Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellow, Honorable Mention, 2022

• Visiting Scholars
  • Paul Cativiela, University of California Berkeley
  • Chantel Hennings, Palomar College
  • Giselle Lara, Palomar College – CAICE SURP
  • Fernando Ramirez. University of California Berkeley
  • Lily Recillas, MiraCosta College (ACS Scholars Program)
  • Natalia Salazar, MiraCosta College

• Visiting Postbaccaluareate Scholars
  • Aloha Prince.  Medical School – University of Missouri
  • Julianne Rizzo. Medical School – UC Davis.

• High School Visiting Scholars
  • Tory Dennison, Del Lago Academy (2020)
  • Maxwell Lee, Del Lago Academy (2018)
  • Parker Loux, Del Lago Academy (2017)
  • Bryan Montoya, Del Lago Academy (2020)
  • Anthony Rivera, Del Lago Academy (2019)
  • Serina Truong, Del Lago Academy (2019)