# Catalysis ## expand\_more 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 ](/people/boris-kozinsky) Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Gordon McKay Professor of Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering ![kozinsky_200x300.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/chemistry/files/kozinsky_200x300.jpg?itok=h6xpKnm-) [### Cynthia Friend ](/people/cynthia-friend) Theodore 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... ![c_friend.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/c_friend_1.jpg?itok=njTqCMlB) [### Daniel G. Nocera ](/people/daniel-g-nocera) Patterson 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. ![nocera2.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/chemistry/files/nocera2.jpg?itok=LpCxgzgZ) [### Eric Jacobsen ](/people/eric-jacobsen) Sheldon 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... ![eric_jacobsen.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/eric_jacobsen_1.jpg?itok=amGPK2Lp) [### Theodore Betley ](/people/theodore-betley) Erving 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... ![A headshot of Professor Ted Betley](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/chemistry/files/betley_bwback_smallsquare.jpg?itok=lq0KyIVV) ## Recent News [### Sunny Shi honored with RSC Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence ](/news/2026/06/sunny-shi-honored-rsc-certificate-undergraduate-excellence) June 10, 2026 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... ![Sunny Shi sitting in her Harvard graduation regalia.](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Sunny%20Shi_5055.jpg?itok=wtJGkvKo) [### Eric Jacobsen Wins 2026 Cotton Medal ](/news/2026/04/eric-jacobsen-wins-2026-cotton-medal) April 20, 2026 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... ![A headshot of Eric Jacobsen](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/chemistry/files/eric_jacobsen_square.jpg?itok=7K99vHTQ) [### Gregory H. Robinson (U Georgia) delivers Percy Lavon Julian Prize Lecture ](/news/2026/03/gregory-h-robinson-u-georgia-delivers-percy-lavon-julian-prize-lecture) March 02, 2026 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."... ![Greg Robinson](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/Robinson-nocera.jpg?itok=gQi1FdMe) [ read more arrow\_circle\_right ](/news)