Graduate Members

	Hillary Chidi Agbo received his B.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Nigeria in 1999. After working in the industry for couple of years, he enrolled in the graduate program in Chemistry at Texas A&M and joined Watanabe Research group in 2007. Hillary’s research focus involves a Study of the specific roles of genes involved in the azinomycin B biosynthetic pathway. Outside the lab he enjoys discussing business, politics, and playing soccer.
	Scott Angell grew up in Mesquite, Texas, and graduated in 2001 from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Genetics. He joined the Watanabe Group in 2003 and is currently working on the isolation of natural product biosynthetic pathways from microorganisms present in the marine environment. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors (fishing, hunting, shooting), weight lifting, reading economics & politics, knife collecting/making, art, and guitar playing. Scott married Yu Li in June 2004.
	B.J. Bench grew up in the small town of Allen, Oklahoma where he graduated high school. He went on to receive his B.S. degree in Chemistry at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in May of 2003. He began his graduate studies at Texas A&M University under the direction of Dr. Coran M. H. Watanabe in September of that same year. His dissertation research focuses on the investigation of the biological roles of 1,4-disubstituted and 1,2,4-trisubstituted cyclohexadienes. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the lake to fish and ride the waverunner, or staying active by being involved in softball, football, racquetball, and weight training.
	Jennifer Foulke received her B.A. in Chemistry at Texas A&M University in May 2004 and joined the Watanabe lab that summer.  In 2005, she became a member of the Chemistry/Biology Interface Training Program.  Her research focuses on investigation of the azinomycin B biosynthetic pathway.  When she’s not working in the lab, she enjoys hiking, bicycling, cooking, and gardening. Jennifer is engaged to be married in summer 2008.
	Thom Kelly received his B.S. degree, double majoring in Chemistry and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, from Centre College in May, 2002. He began his graduate career at Texas A&M University in June, 2002 training as a member of the Chemistry/Biology Interface program and began research under Dr. Coran Watanabe in October of the same year. His dissertation research focuses on investigating the mode of action and biosynthesis of the natural product azinomycin B.
	Eun Jin Kim received her B.S. in 1993 and her M.S. in 1995 in Chemistry from the Korea National University of Education. She began working with the Watanabe group in 2004. Her research deals with the construction of cDNA libraries from marine organisms and identification and screening of natural product biosynthetic pathways.
	Originally from the Dallas area, John Pearson grew up in Saginaw, MI. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from LeTourneau University in Longview, TX, in the fall of 2005. John joined the Watanabe Lab in the spring of 2006. His research interests are centered on the mode of action and resistance of Azinomycin B. He enjoys harassment from his fellow graduate students and random encouraging posters.
	Victor Suarez grew up in San Juan, Texas.  He graduated with his BS in chemistry from the University of Texas - Pan American in 2004.  He then received his MS in chemistry in 2006 from Texas A&M University - Kingsville. Victor joined the Watanbe lab in fall of 2006 and his research focuses on the synthesis and biological activity of highly substituted cyclohexadienes.