Catalysis
Catalysis refers, broadly, to the study of chemical catalysts. Researchers determine how catalysts accelerate chemical reactions and select reaction products, and design new classes of catalysts. Our synthetic and physical research groups study both heterogeneous and homogeonous catalysts. Current areas of interest include: how to split water to form oxygen and hydrogen and how to form single metal oxide crystals on surfaces.
Catalysis Faculty
Boris Kozinsky
bkoz@seas.harvard.eduProfessor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Gordon McKay Professor of Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering
Cynthia Friend
friend@fas.harvard.eduTheodore William Richards Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Materials Science, Emerita
(Not Accepting Graduate Students)
Laboratory Manager/Administrator: Leah DeFrancesco Controlling the chemical and physical properties of interfaces is central to many technologies and particularly in addressing global challenges in reducing energy costs and in developing alternative...
Daniel G. Nocera
dnocera@fas.harvard.eduPatterson Rockwood Professor of Energy
(Accepting Graduate Students)
Daniel G. Nocera is the Patterson Rockwood Professor of Energy at Harvard University. A descriptive bio of Professor Nocera can be found here.
Eric Jacobsen
jacobsen@chemistry.harvard.eduSheldon Emery Professor of Chemistry
(Accepting Graduate Students)
Laboratory Administrator: Nicole Minotti Eric Jacobsen joined Harvard University as full professor in 1993, was named the Sheldon Emory Professor of Organic Chemistry in 2001, and served as Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology from...
Theodore Betley
betley@chemistry.harvard.eduErving Professor of Chemistry
Director of Graduate Studies
(Accepting Graduate Students)
Laboratory Manager/Administrator: Pamela Hernandez The Betley group works in the field of synthetic inorganic chemistry to design new complexes capable of activating unreactive chemical bonds. We design catalysts comprised of first-row transition elements...
Recent News
Sunny Shi honored with RSC Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence
The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB) celebrated undergraduate researcher Sunny Shi on June 8, 2026, during the department's Summer Undergraduate Research Community Opening Social, where she was presented with the Royal Society of...
Eric Jacobsen Wins 2026 Cotton Medal
Professor Eric Jacobsen, Sheldon Emery Professor of Chemistry, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the F.A. Cotton Medal for Excellence in Chemical Research named for one of the most honored faculty members in Texas A&M University history. The...
Gregory H. Robinson (U Georgia) delivers Percy Lavon Julian Prize Lecture
On Thursday, February 26, Gregory H. Robinson, the UGA Foundation Professor at the University of Georgia, delivered his Percy Lavon Julian Prize Lecture, "N-Heterocyclic Carbenes and Dithiolene Radicals: A Counterintuitive Main Group Chemistry Trek."...
