Prof. Socrates B. Munoz

Principal Investigator

After finishing is undergraduate degree in pharmaceutical chemistry and biology in the University of Guadalajara, Mexico, Prof. Socrates B. Munoz continued his PhD studies in chemistry at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles under the supervision of Prof. G. K. Surya Prakash and Prof. George A. Olah, where he concluded in 2015. He then continued his postdoctoral studies at the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute at USC as an Anton B. Burg fellow until 2019. Following this experience, Dr. Munoz then joined the laboratory of Prof. Gregory C. Fu at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) as a Postdoctoral Fellow from 2019-2021.

In August 2021, after an enriching industry experience at Provivi Inc., (Dr. Pedro Coelho and Prof. Frances Arnold’s company) he then started his independent career and joined the Department of Chemistry at Kansas State University as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry. Research at his laboratory lies at the intersection of synthetic organic, organometallic chemistry and catalysis. He devotes special attention to the development of new synthetic methods and new reagents to enable the synthesis of new molecules for human health, agrochemistry, materials science and energy storage.

Research at the laboratory of Prof. Munoz is driven by Da Vinci’s motto:

“Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication”

Thus, his group strives to develop synthetic methods that enjoy practicality, efficiency, are cost-effective and are ultimately amenable for real-life applications.

Education and Professional Appointment

2021-Present
Assistant Professor; Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
2021- 2021 (Apr-Aug)
Process Chemistry Research Scientist, Provivi Inc., Santa Monica, CA.
2019-2021
Postdoctoral Scholar, California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA.
(Advisor: Prof. Gregory C. Fu)
2015-2019
Anton B. Burg Postdoctoral and Teaching Fellow, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. (Advisor: Prof. G.K. Surya Prakash)
2010-2015
Ph.D. Organic Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. (Mentors: G.K. Surya Prakash and George A. Olah)
2005-2009
B.S. Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Biology, University of Guadalajara, Mexico.

laxman lamichhane

Laxman earned is MSc degree in chemistry from Tribhuvan University in Nepal with specialization in Organic Chemistry. He concluded his MSc degree in the summer of 2023 and came to K-State in the fall of 2023, to finally join the Munoz PowerCat Lab @  K-State in Dec 2023. Laxman is currently working in SO2 and fluorine chemistry, developing novel reagents for fluorosulfonylation. In addition, he is also actively engaged in achieving challenging transformations through mechanochemistry. Welcome to the PowerCat Lab Laxman!!!

Zach Palmgreen

Chemistry B.S.

Hope Winton

Pre-medical biology undergraduate

Evan Dickson

BioChemistry undergraduate

Aanya Jindal

Aanya completed her M.S. in Chemistry in the Munoz PowerCat Lab, graduating in the summer of 2023. During her time at K-State, she gained extensive experience in synthetic organic chemistry, working on the development of new methodologies in organofluorine chemistry. She also built strong expertise in reaction design, purification, and the use of modern spectroscopic techniques.

Before joining the PowerCat Lab, Aanya had already developed a solid foundation in organic synthesis through her undergraduate research projects, where she worked on small-molecule functionalization and catalysis. These experiences prepared her well for graduate-level research and helped shape her interest in fluorine chemistry.

In fall 2023, Aanya began pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Florida, where she continues to expand her work in organic synthesis and catalysis.

Dr. MD Nirshad Alam

​Chemistry Ph.D – CSIR- National Chemical Laboratory, India

Nirshad is the great-great-great grandson of the legendary mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan, and was born in West Bengal, India. He earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from Aligarh Muslim University before moving to CSIR-NCL Pune, where in 2022 he brilliantly defended his Ph.D. in synthetic methodology under the supervision of Prof. Pradip Maity.

Renowned for his extraordinary purification skills, Nirshad can tame the toughest mixtures of organic compounds and is especially admired for his uncanny ability to purify even the lowest-boiling liquids without losing a drop. His expertise in asymmetric synthesis and stereoselective molecular rearrangements adds sharp precision to his research.

In December 2022, Nirshad joined the PowerCat Lab at K-State, where he explored new frontiers in organofluorine chemistry and in C–C and C–X bond-forming reactions using catalysts based on earth-abundant first-row transition metals (Cu, Ni, Co, and Fe). Outside of the lab, he enjoys cricket, spending time with friends, and channeling his inner Captain Jack Sparrow as he goes “fishing” for novel chemical transformations.

In 2024, Nirshad took the next step in his career by moving to the University of Florida to join Prof. Bill Dolbier’s lab, where he continues his groundbreaking work in organofluorine chemistry. Congratulations, Nirshad!

Dr. Anirban Sen

​Chemistry Ph.D – CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory, India

Dr. Anirban Sen earned his Ph.D. at CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory, India, where he developed SenPhos, a chiral ligand for asymmetric hydrogenation. In 2023 he joined the Munoz PowerCat lab where he played a key role in co-developing novel difluoroalkylation reagents now under active development in the PowerCat Lab. His research integrates catalysis, ligand design, and reagent development to advance sustainable synthetic chemistry. In 2024 he moved back to India to work as a process chemist in the pharmaceutical industry.

Jackson Meyer

Biology – pre-med Undergraduate at K-state

Jackson joined the PowerCat Lab in the Fall of 2023 to grow the skills and techniques learned in his organic chemistry classes here at K-State.  He is interested in developing new synthetic methodologies toward organic bioactive compounds. He is passionate about medical innovation, and he is currently working alongside graduate students and postdocs developing new reactions that could be used to improve how molecules for human health are made. Outside of school, he likes watching movies, running, playing chess, and spending time with friends.

Luis De la Cruz Morales

Medical biochemistry undergraduate

Nicholas Edwards

​Biochemical Engineering undergraduate

Daja Cooker

Chemistry Science Undergraduate

Daja Coker graduated from K-state in Summer 2021. Her Senior Thesis involved the development of Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions for the synthesis of difluoroalkylated compounds. 

Daja currently holds a research scientist position at Pfizer. Congratulations Daja!

Julia Helt

​Medical Laboratory Science Undergraduate

Julia is a sophomore in Medical Laboratory Science. She has always said that she wants to “help find new ways to treat and cure diseases”. In her career she will help doctors diagnose patients by analyzing and evaluating samples from the patient. She is passionate about her major, and excited to be a part of impacting someone’s health journey. In the laboratory of Dr. Munoz, she is currently working in the synthesis of organofluorine compounds for medicinal applications.

Outside of school, Julia is an active member of Reformed University Fellowship, a student ministry group on K-State’s campus. In her free time, of which there is little, she spends time with her fiancé and friends, usually doing something outside.

daniel j. hubin

Bsc chemistry major 

Daniel joined the PowerCat Lab in the summer of 2022 after receiving the ACS Division of Division of Organic Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) award which offers funding for research and networking with industry leaders. Daniel presented his research in a poster session at Pfizer HQ in Groton, CT in the spring of 2023.  Shortly after, Daniel took an internship at ETH in Zurich, working with Professor Dr. Roger Schibli’s in radiopharmaceutical imaging . After this experience, Daniel returned to K-State and continued his research at the PowerCat Lab for the spring 2023 semester. In the summer of ’23 he graduated from KSU with my B.S. in chemistry. Daniel is now pursuing his PhD in Chemistry at University of Missouri (Mizzou) since the fall of 2023.

Congratulations Dan!!! All the best in your future endeavors.

Morgan l. haynes

moissan surf award (2022) – acs Division of fluorine chemistry

Morgan spent a summer of very productive research in 2022 as part of the Moissan SURF award by the ACS Division of Fluorine Chemistry. Morgan worked on the development of a new method for the synthesis of difluoroketones and she presented her work at the 2023 ACS Winter Fluorine Conference in Clearwater Beach, FL. Left: Morgan explaining her research to Prof. Lukas J. Gooßen during the poster session. 

Hannah Hart

NSF ReU (2022) – National Science Foundation (Research Experience for Undergraduates)

Hanna Hart visited from Kansas Wesleyan University to spend the summer of 2022 in the Munoz PowerCat Lab as part of the NSF-funded REU program. During her time in the lab, she developed a new catalytic method for synthesizing aldehydes directly from carboxylic acids through acyloxyphosphonium ions—a highly reactive class of intermediates. Her project showcased both creativity and precision in harnessing fleeting species for efficient and practical synthetic transformations.