Moh El-Naggar

The El-Naggar Laboratory is comprised of biophysicists, electrochemists, and microbiologists interested in understanding and harnessing charge transfer at the interface of living cells and synthetic surfaces. We focus on both the implications for microbial physiology and the development of new bioelectronics.

Megan Fieser

Gabilan Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Inorganic

Organic

Researchers in the Fieser group are interested in the design of molecular catalysts for the polymerization of degradable polymers and/or the depolymerization of commercial, non-degradable polymers.

Michael S. Inkpen

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Inorganic

We design and study single-molecule devices and self-assembled monolayers, applying electrochemical and scanning probe microscope-based methods to address fundamental questions in energy storage, catalysis, and electron transfer/transport.

Anna Krylov

USC Associates Chair in Natural Sciences and Professor of Chemistry

Chemical Biology

Physical

Theoretical

The Krylov group develops theoretical methods and state-of-the-art computer codes for treating electronically excited and open-shell species. We apply these tools to study bioimaging, plasma, solar energy, quantum information science, and spectroscopy modeling, often in collaboration with experimentalists.

Smaranda C. Marinescu

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Inorganic

We are interested in the development of novel catalytic systems for efficient solar-to-fuel technologies. Inspired by biological systems, we design molecular catalysts that involve hydrogen bonding networks capable of small molecule activation through multiple proton and electron transfers.

G. K. Surya Prakash

Professor and George A. and Judith A. Olah Nobel Laureate Chair in Hydrocarbon Chemistry

Organic

Our research centers on hydrocarbon, synthetic organic, organosilicon and organofluorine chemistry with special emphasis in areas of energy, catalysis, and greenhouse gas abatement. We are particularly focused on carbon dioxide capture from air and sustainable carbon recycling through a concept called the methanol economy.

Matthew R. Pratt

Professor of Chemistry

Chemical Biology

Organic

We are interested in the biological consequences of protein posttranslational modifications, with a focus on glycosylation. We utilize a combination of organic synthesis, bioorthogonal reactions, and synthetic protein chemistry to accomplish these goals.

Peter Z. Qin

Professor of Chemistry

Physical

Chemical Biology

We are interested in understanding the mechanisms of specific recognition of nucleic acids that inform genome engineering as well as developments in diagnostics and therapeutics. We use Site-Directed Spin Labeling (SDSL) and other tools to study the relationship between structure, dynamics, and function in nucleic acids and protein-nucleic acid complexes.

Barry C. Thompson

Professor of Chemistry

Organic

We use organic synthesis and develop new polymerization methods and polymer architectures to address sustainability and materials for alternative energy applications.

Mark E. Thompson

University Professor, Ray R. Irani Chairman of Occidental Petroleum Corporation Chair in Chemistry and Professor of Chemistry – Fellow of the National Academy of Engineering

Inorganic

Physical

We are interested in the optical and electronic properties of molecular materials, with an eye toward materials used to create organic LEDs, solar cells, and catalysts for solar fuels.

Travis J. Williams

Professor of Chemistry

Inorganic

Organic

We are interested in studies of organometallics and catalysis and are applying them in projects ranging from designing new catalytic systems for synthetic fuels and fine chemicals to reclaiming value from waste polymers and materials.

Chao Zhang

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Chemical Biology

Organic

Research in the Zhang group focuses on the discovery and mechanistic study of novel small-molecule modulators of diverse proteins using a combination of techniques including structure-based design, organic synthesis, and chemical proteomics.