In this project funded by the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways (MPS-LEAPS) Program and managed by the Broadening Participation (CHE-BP) Program in the Division of Chemistry, Professor Reynolds and his students at Campbell University will study the application of thiamine diphosphate-dependent enzymes towards current challenges in chemical synthesis. Enzymes represent attractive green catalysts for sustainable synthesis due to their ability to perform under mild, aqueous conditions and carry out highly selective transformations. However, their adoption in industry has been hampered by the limited scope of enzymatic reactions available. This research seeks to overcome this limitation by taking advantage of enzymes’ promiscuity towards substrates not found in nature. In particular, Professor Reynolds and his students will explore the use of thiamine-dependent enzymes for the stereoselective formation of α-substituted ketones, which are important precursors to more complex, bioactive compounds. This will be accomplished by screening a panel of enzymes against substrates possessing multiple chiral centers to form stereochemically complex products. The ability of the enzymes to catalyze reactions through alternative single electron pathways will also be explored. Additionally, this work promotes the retention of diverse talent in STEM through a program that incorporates research and mentoring opportunities for underrepresented