Duncan Ellinwood was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1991. After high school, he became interested in chocolate production, and postponed university to become a chocolate maker. Duncan worked with growers and manufacturers to help start chocolate companies in Oregon, Fiji, and Haiti. During one summer working at the Cocoa Research Center at the University of the West Indies Trinidad, Duncan was developing new methods for the fermentation of cocoa and in the process became fascinated with chemistry. This experience spurred him to obtain an Associate Degree in Science at Portland Community College while continuing his work in chocolate. After completing his AS, Duncan enrolled at Oregon State University as a microbiology major. After studying organic chemistry under Dr. Daniel Myles, he sought out an undergraduate research position in the BRG where he developed total syntheses of a series of 13C-lableled isotopomers of xanthohumol, the primary prenylated chalcone found in the inflorescence of hops plants. Outside of chemistry, Duncan is an avid cyclist who enjoys baking, origami, and classical music.

"Total Synthesis of [13C]2-, [13C]3-, and [13C]5-Isotopomers of Xanthohumol, the Principal Prenylflavonoid From Hops," D. C. Ellinwood, M. F. El-Mansy, L. S. Plagmann, J. F. Stevens, C. S. Maier, A. F. Gombart, P. R. Blakemore,* J. Label. Compd. Radiopharm. 2017, 60, 639-648. [LINK]