Alan Healy
Assistant Professor of Chemistry; Global Network Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Science, NYU
Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi
Education: BA (mod) Trinity College Dublin, MSc University of Edinburgh, PhD University of St Andrews
Research Websites: The Healy Lab
Research Areas: Chemical Biology, Natural Product Synthesis, Automated Synthesis, Drug Discovery

Dr. Healy received his undergraduate degree in Medicinal Chemistry from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland followed by an MSc in Biomedical Science from the University of Edinburgh, UK. He obtained his PhD in Chemistry in 2014 from the University of St. Andrews, UK, where he carried out research in Professor Nick Westwood's group. Subsequently, he carried out postdoctoral research at Yale University in the laboratory's of Professor Seth Herzon and Professor Jason Crawford where he studied the link between small molecule toxins produced by select strains of bacteria in the human gut and the development of colorectal cancer.
Dr. Healy's research at NYUAD is focused on using genomics, bioinformatics and automated chemical synthesis to discover, study and repurpose natural products as novel therapeutics.
Courses Taught
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Throughout human history we have searched for a Panacea, a mythical remedy that can cure all disease and prolong life. In this course students will explore the intriguing origin stories of the life changing drugs which have shaped society and the ethical dilemmas raised by their use. The course will bring multidisciplinary perspectives to question the moral, legal and economic dilemmas posed by the commoditization of life. What happens when how we live and why we die is decided by a price tag? How do you allocate a limited resource? In a free market economy, who profits and who suffers? What are the consequences of government regulation? Have we become reliant on pills to remedy our personal and social ills? We will also investigate the ways in which language and communication are inseparable from the challenges facing modern medicine, from the anthropomorphism of scientific terminology to the power of misinformation. The issues discussed here are not unique, they reflect and inform how we address the global challenges of inequality, justice and sustainability facing society as a result of technological advancement. Except in this case, it may be a matter of life and death.
Prerequisite: Must be an NYU Abu Dhabi student and have not completed the Core: Colloquium requirement.
Previously taught: Summer 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2024
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Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Alan Healy - MW 14:10 - 15:25 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Core Curriculum > Colloquia
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Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
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3 credits
Organic Chemistry 2 is a continuation of Organic Chemistry 1, with an emphasis on multifunctional organic compounds and their reactions from both a synthetic as well as a mechanistic viewpoint. The topics include conjugated systems, aromatic compounds, including phenols and aryl halides as well as a thorough discussion of delocalized chemical bonding; aldehydes and ketones; amines; carboxylic acids and their derivatives; and biologically important molecules. The course continues the emphasis on modern analytical methods that are the cornerstone of contemporary organic chemistry.
Prerequisite: CHEM-UH 2010, MATH-UH 1020 and Foundations of Science 1-6
Previously taught: Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Ali Trabolsi - MW 08:30 - 09:45 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Ali Trabolsi - T 08:30 - 09:45 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Alan Healy - R 12:45 - 17:15 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Alan Healy - F 10:50 - 12:05 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Alan Healy - MW 12:45 - 14:00 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Bioengineering
- Majors > Chemistry
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
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2 credits
Organic Chemistry 2 Lab
Corequisite: CHEM-UH 3010
Previously taught: Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Ali Trabolsi - W 12:45 - 17:15; W 12:45 - 17:15 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Bioengineering
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
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The senior capstone experience in chemistry is designed to engage students in a long-term, mentored learning experience that culminates in a piece of original research and/or scientific theory. The research project focuses on the art of scientific problem solving through theoretical analysis and/or experimental and technical design. The capstone project provides an opportunity for students to use their knowledge and skills to identify and solve a problem or answer a question in the field of chemistry. The students design and execute a project under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
Prerequisite: CHEM-UH 3090
Previously taught: Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Ali Trabolsi - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Wael M. Rabeh - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Pance Naumov - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Alan Healy - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Ali Trabolsi - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Wael M. Rabeh - Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Chemistry
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
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This is a continuation of Capstone Project in Chemistry 1. During this semester, the project culminates in a presentation and a written document of significant length that describes the work in detail.
Prerequisite: CHEM-UH 4001
Previously taught: Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Serdal Kirmizialtin - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Ali Trabolsi - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Wael M. Rabeh - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Alan Healy - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Pance Naumov - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Brijith Thomas - Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Chemistry
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks