Le Research Group

- CURRENT MEMBERS -

Graduate Students

Jesse LeBlanc (he/him), PhD student (joined 2022)

jjl415 [at] yorku.ca

Jesse grew up in Atlantic Canada moving frequently between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. He completed his BSc in chemistry at Memorial University of Newfoundland. In September 2022, he joined the Le group as a PhD student to explore and develop new transition metal catalyzed multicomponent cross coupling reactions, with a particular interest in fluorine incorporation from readily available, cost effective fluorine sources. In his spare time he helps several synthetic groups at York by filling the departmental crystallographer role. At home he enjoys doing woodworking, tinkering and caring for his multiple animals.

Maryam Jabbarpoor (she/her), MSc Student (joined 2022)

maryamjp [at] yorku.ca

Maryam grew up in Tehran, Iran, and earned her BSc and MSc in chemistry at Shahid Beheshti University developing heterogeneous catalysts in the MTH process. Then, she came to Canada, and in May 2022, joined the Le Group to study cross-coupling reactions of fluorine-containing molecules. Outside of the lab, Maryam is a film enthusiast and enjoys cooking new recipes.

Dusty Cadwallader (he/him), PhD Student (joined 2020)

dustyc94 [at] yorku.ca

Dusty grew up in Port Hardy BC, a small town on the north end of Vancouver Island. He completed his BSc in chemistry at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC and his MSc at Brock University developing stereoselective Birch reduction-alkylations directed by a chiral auxiliary. In September 2020 he joined the Le group as a PhD student where his research focuses on synthetic applications of difluorocarbene and catalytic C-F bond activation. Outside the lab his hobbies include recreational bouldering, joining pick-up soccer and volleyball matches, exploring local breweries and cooking up new recipes at home.

Ali McKnight (they/them), MSc student (joined 2020)

mcknighe [at] yorku.ca

Ali graduated from Reed College in 2020 with a B.A. in Chemistry after spending the first two years of their undergraduate degree as a studio art major. During their undergraduate career they dabbled in analytical nuclear chemistry, adding nitrate esters to atmospherically relevant monoterpenes, and putting bismuth in places that bismuth should not be. Outside of the lab they are an amateur artist, avid home cook, and a strong supporter of Trans-Rights and BLM.

Undergraduate Students

Emily Woo (She/her), Undergraduate Student (joined 2025)

emil1096 [at]my.yorku.ca

Emily is an undergraduate student in her fourth year working towards her Honours Chemistry Bachelor of Science Degree. She had co-op experiences at an organic chemistry lab and a food science lab. She entered the Le lab in May of 2025 as a volunteer. Aside from her studies, she likes to learn guitar and draw.

Postdogtoral Fellow

Lola the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Lola is an organic chemistry enthusiast and graduated at top of her class at UC Barkley. Her favourite named reaction is the Balz-Schiemann reaction because she loves playing fetch with her tennis ball. In addition to fetching, she loves meeting new people and doing tricks (for treats, of course). She is a very good girl.