Le Research Group

- CURRENT MEMBERS -

Graduate Students

Kate Skinner (she/her), MSc student

katesk [at] yorku.ca

Kate grew up in Ottawa, Canada, and completed her BSc in Chemistry at the University of Guelph. For her honours thesis, she designed a soluble thiazyl radical and investigated its use as a paramagnetic ligand in coordination complexes. She joined the Le Group in September 2025 to explore how fluorine-containing molecules can enable new synthetic routes to otherwise hard-to-reach targets through transition metal catalysis. Outside the lab, Kate loves baking, doing puzzles, and taking care of her houseplants and dog.

Jesse LeBlanc (he/him), PhD student

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

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.

Undergraduate Students

Emily Woo (she/her), Undergraduate Student

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 and is continuing her CHEM 4000 project in the group. Aside from her studies, she likes to learn guitar and draw.

Alexander Goralcyzk (he/him), Undergraduate Student

alexgor [at] my.yorku.ca

Alexander grew up in Ontario, Canada. He is an undergraduate student at York University studying towards a Specialized Honors degree in Biochemistry. His passion for organic synthesis brought him to join the Le Group in Jan 2026 as a volunteer researcher and he will continue his BCHM 4000 research project with the group. Outside from the lab, Alexander is a pianist / saxophonist and enjoys swimming, skiing and bodybuilding.

Justin Laurie (he/him), Undergraduate Student

jlaur12 [at] my.yorku.ca

Justin is an undergraduate volunteer researcher with the Le Group. He is a 2nd year BSc Chemistry student, having previously studied linguistics at the University of Toronto. With a keen interest in medicinal chemistry and a penchant for problem-solving, he hopes to research new reactions that will prove useful for drug discovery and design. Justin’s other pursuits include cooking, music, video games, and time with family and friends.

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.