Innovation driven by collaboration
Research faculty in the Department of Chemistry maintain a global standard of excellence across a broad range of disciplines. The uniquely collaborative spirit among our faculty allows us to engage in cross-cutting interdisciplinary projects that foster innovation and synergies across diverse research areas. Read about our major research themes below.
Chemistry of Life Systems
We are dedicated to unraveling the fundamental mechanisms of protein structure, folding, and function. Utilizing a powerful arsenal of biophysical and bioanalytical tools, including spectroscopy, crystallography, microscopy, and protein engineering, we investigate systems ranging from basic models to disease-related proteins. Our research extends to the development of novel molecules and nano-assemblies capable of mimicking or controlling biomolecules.
Key faculty: Jianhan Chen / Min Chen / Michelle Farkas / Jeanne Hardy / Igor Kaltashov / Eric Strieter / Lynmarie Thompson / Craig Martin / Vince Rotello / S. Thai Thayumanavan / Richard Vachet / Chris Wu / Mingxu You
Materials for Sustainability
We are renowned for our expertise in designing, synthesizing, and characterizing novel materials, particularly at the nanoscale. Our innovative approaches to bottom-up assembly and advanced characterization techniques empower us to create and understand materials with applications spanning sensors, devices, catalysis, and biomedicine. We also benefit from the deep integration of theory to understand atomic-scale processes underpinning materials processes.
Key faculty: Trisha Andrew / Scott Auerbach / Michael Barnes / Joseph DuChene / Zhou Lin / Ricardo Metz / Vince Rotello / S. Thai Thayumanavan / Dhandapani Venkataraman / James Walsh
Modelling of Complex Systems
We are experts in the use of cutting-edge computational methods to tackle fundamental questions across biological chemistry, materials science, and reaction kinetics. Our faculty develop new approaches to harness ever-growing computational power, addressing fundamental and cross-cutting challenges across the chemical space.
Key faculty: Scott Auerbach / Jianhan Chen / Min Chen / Jeanne Hardy / Craig Martin / Zhou Lin / Ricardo Metz / Vince Rotello / S. Thai Thayumanavan / Richard Vachet / Dhandapani Venkataraman / James Walsh / Chris Wu / Mingxu You