Trevor A. Hamlin FRSC
Assistant Professor, Track-Coordinator Master Chemistry (joint-degree)
I’m passionate about empowering those around me to push the boundaries of science, every single day. I encourage my students and colleagues to tackle challenging problems head-on, knowing that the struggle makes the eventual breakthroughs even more rewarding. There’s a real sense of accomplishment when a complex problem unravels, and in that moment, they feel unstoppable. My journey started in synthetic organic chemistry, but I’m now captivated by the possibilities of computational chemistry. My research focuses on uncovering the mechanisms behind reactions. To do this, I use advanced computational methods to explore pericyclic reactions, small molecule activation, and catalysis. Feel free to browse through my publications to see the exciting work happening in my research group!
I teach a variety of dynamic courses in the Bachelor’s and Master’s Chemistry programs at VU and UvA, ranging from physical organic chemistry to advanced computational chemistry. My passion lies in creating an environment where students thrive, building their confidence in research, sharpening their writing, and mastering their presentation skills. Beyond the academic world, I’m an avid traveler and cyclist who loves spending quality time with my wife, Mary Kate, and daughter, Emerson. When I’m not on the move, you’ll find me immersed in books, tending to my garden, or exploring new corners of the world!
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Curriculum Vitae
Assistant Professor (with tenure)
Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 12/2019-present
Assistant Professor
Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 07/2018-12/2019
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Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 09/2015-07/2018
Supervisor: F. Matthias Bickelhaupt
Ph.D. in Chemistry
Thesis: "Development of New Synthetic Methods, Mechanistic Elucidation of Novel Organic Reactions Using Quantum Calculations, and Harnessing the Power of Continuous Flow Technologies"
Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut,
09/2010-05/2015
Supervisor: Nicholas E. Leadbeater
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B.S. in Biochemistry (cum laude, ACS Certification, and Departmental Distinction)
Thesis: "Delocalization of Charge and Electron Density in the Humulyl Cation"
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Albright College, 09/2006-05/2010
​Supervisor: Christian S. Hamann
Awards and Memberships
2024 Completed VU Course: “Supervising Ph.D. Students”
2023 Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
2023 Editorial Advisory Board of Chemistry––A European Journal
2023 Editorial Advisory Board of ChemPhysChem
2023 Member of the American Chemical Society (ACS)
2022 Microsoft Research Grant for Catalyst Design Using AI
2021 Track Coordinator of the MSc Chemistry Program
2020 University Teaching Qualification (Basiskwalificatie Onderwijs)
2020 Member of the MSc Chemistry Program Committee
2020 Early Career Advisory Board of Chemistry––A European Journal
2020 Member of the Royal Netherlands Chemical Society (KNCV)
2019 Member of the Holland Research School of Molecular Chemistry (HRSMC)
2016 Pi Kappa Phi: 30 Under Thirty Award
2014 Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
2013 Zaiput Flow Technologies Challenge Grant
2011 Chemistry Alumni Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
2010 Benjamin H. Handorf Chemistry Prize
2010 Eileen Walker Memorial Award
2009 Undergraduate Student Travel Award: Division of Organic Chemistry of the ACS
2006-2010 The Presidential Scholarship
2006-2010 The Cecilia Hand and Morgan Hand, II Memorial Scholarship Award
2006-2010 Ocean City Masonic Club “Foster Karney” Foundation Scholarship
2006-2010 National Honor Society Scholar