Principal Investigator

 

Rendy G. Kartika, Ph.D.

 

Biography

Rendy Kartika was born and raised in Malang, Indonesia. After graduating from Kolese Santo Yusup Catholic High School, he moved to the United States to attend Glendale Community College before transferring to California State Polytechnic University Pomona, where he earned his B.S. in chemistry with Summa Cum Laude honors in Spring 2003. Rendy participated in undergraduate research in Professor Douglas Klumpp's lab, where he worked on the use of superacids to create superelectrophilic dicationic species from simple organic compounds, such as cinnamic acid and its derivatives. Rendy continued his studies at the University of Notre Dame, where he completed his Ph.D. in organic synthesis under the mentorship of Professor Richard Taylor in September 2008. His dissertation focused on the development of new synthetic methods, in particular the electrophile-induced ether-transfer reactions and their applications to polyketide natural products synthesis. Subsequently, he joined Professor David Spiegel's research group at Yale University as a postdoctoral researcher in October 2008, where he devised expedient chemical synthesis of advanced glycation end products and amidine oligomers.

In August 2011, Rendy joined the faculty in the Department of Chemistry at LSU as Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in August 2017 and then to Full Professor in August 2022. Since June 2021, he has also served as the Associate Chair of Chemistry Undergraduate Studies, dedicating his efforts to modernizing undergraduate chemistry education at LSU. Outside of work, Rendy loves spending time with his friendly dogs (Beaux and Zoe). He is an avid fisherman and enjoys exploring new fishing locations throughout South Louisiana. Rendy is also a passionate fan of LSU Football and have attended many big games in the LSU Tiger Stadium. Geaux Tigers! 

 

 

Professional Appointment

• Editor, Organic Reactions (November 2024 - present)
• Associate Chair for Chemistry Undergraduate Studies (June 2021 – present)
• Professor (August 2022 – present)
• Associate Professor with Tenure (August 2017 – July 2022)
• Assistant Professor (August 2011 – July 2017)

Education

• B.S. in Chemistry with Summa Cum Laude, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, June 2003. Advisor: Prof. Douglas A. Klumpp
• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, University of Notre Dame, January 2009. Advisor: Prof. Richard E. Taylor
• Postdoctoral Research Associate, Yale University, October 2008 – May 2011. Advisor: Prof. David A. Spiegel

Awards

At Louisiana State University:

• Dr. Marion D. Socolofsky Award for Teaching Excellence, 2022
• LSU Alumni Association Rising Faculty Research Award, 2017
• Louisiana Board of Regents, RCS One-Year Award, 2017
• Outstanding Non-Tenured Professor in Natural and Physical Sciences for the LSU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, 2017
• LSU Rainmaker Award for Emerging Scholar in STEM, 2017
• Albemarle Process Development Center Distinguished Seminar Speaker Award, 2016
• Tiger Athletic Foundation Undergraduate Teaching Award, 2015

At University of Notre Dame:

• The Reilly Fellowship, 2007
• The Rudolph E. Bottei Award for Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistantship, 2005
• The Kaneb Center Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award, 2004 and 2006 

At California State Polytechnic University, Pomona:

• The Weck Chemistry Scholarship, 2003
• The Reza Ehsani Memorial Chemistry Scholarship, 2002
• International Student Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Performance, 2001 and 2002
• Scholastic Achievement Award in Recognition of Outstanding Academic Performance, 2001 and 2002
• President's Honor List for Exceptional Academic Standing, 2001