Our Group

PI: Lucia Myongwon Lee

Lucia completed her BSc and PhD in Chemistry at McMaster University, working under the guidance of Prof. I. Vargas-Baca. Her doctoral research focused on developing oligomeric systems utilizing main group secondary bonding interactions.

In 2017, she embarked on her first postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, where she explored the applications of these interactions in ion transport. Following her time in Geneva, Lucia joined the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. There, she expanded her research scope to include the study of MRI imaging probes and nanomaterials.

Her current research interests center on fundamental studies of main group supramolecular interactions.

Favourite Element: Selenium

Graduate Students

Jackson Dukart

Accelerated MSc. Student: 20jbd2@queensu.ca

In 2023 I joined the Lee Group as a second year student through the USSRF grant. I stayed throughout my undergrad eventually becoming an accelerated MSc. student where my project looked at incorporating chalcogen bonding into biological systems. This work is continuing as I continue through grad school. 

When I’m not running synthesis I like to play video games and hang with my friends. 

Favourite Element: Nitrogen

Duncan Rowett

MSc. Student: 18dr12@queensu.ca

I joined the Lee Group in 2023 for my CHEM497 Research Project which involved developing stimuli-responsive materials able to form chalcogen bonds. Now as a MSc. student I have been continuing similar research synthesizing compounds that form chalcogen bonds with applications in green materials.

Outside the lab, you can find me kicking a ball around or at the squash courts!

Favourite Element: Platinum

Ciara Strom

MSc. Student: ciara.strom@queensu.ca

I joined the Lee Group as a CHEM497 student in 2023 and now as a MSc. student I am continuing the work I did in my fourth-year project. My research focuses on developing and synthesizing selenium containing molecules that can bind to anions via chalcogen bonds.

When I’m not in the lab I like to bake and do puzzles.

Favourite Element: Gold

Undergraduate Students

Sarah So

CHEM497 Student

Favourite Element: Fermium

Kayla Boire

CHEM497 Student

Favourite Element: Nitrogen

Abby Musgrave

CHEM497 Student

Favourite Element: Phosphorus

Immanuel Parmassar

CHEM497 Student

Favourite Element: Sodium

Riley Krivoshein

CHEM497 Student

Favourite Element: Magnesium

Former Members

Emily Froats (Summer Research Student, 2025)

Maxwell Schankula (Inorganic Chemistry Exchange/NSERC-USRA Student, 2025)

Dr. Dan Barker (Research Associate, 2025)

Heidi McIntyre (CHEM497, 2024-25)

Devan MacDonald (CHEM497, 2023-24)

Rachel Chase-Thomas (NSERC-USRA student 2023)

Xinyi Mary Chen (Work & Study and SWEP student 2023)

Yanwen Wu (CHEM497, 2022-23)

Matthew Ashton (ENCH497, 2022-23)

Bowling Night

November 2024: Duncan wins!

Lee group's first bowling night

Conferences

June 2025: Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC in Ottawa) 

Lucia, Ciara, Jack, and Duncan standing by their posters at CSC 2025

Halloween

2025: Lee Lab attempts to dress up as benzoselenadiazole (we lost a carbon)