Research

At UO, students work in a host of cutting-edge labs and interdisciplinary institutes. Research provides students with training in experimental methods and logic; allows participation in hands-on research within the lab that synergizes with coursework; provides skills to secure post-graduation employment; and helps students decide among various career paths. 


32
RESEARCH FACULTY
232
GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCHERS
9
INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH INSTITUTES

Student working lab with lasers

Research Areas in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Looking for a faculty expert or mentor in chemistry or biochemistry? Our faculty researchers are at the forefront of scientific development in numerous areas. Our interdisciplinary approach to research means students are not limited to faculty members in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and may conduct their research in related areas of science.


Our Research Facilities

Modern research instrumentation is an integral part of cutting-edge science. Faculty and students in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry conduct research using comprehensive collection of state-of-the-art instrumentation and research facilities.

Research Facilities


Interdisciplinary Research Institutes

Many of the advances in chemical science are now taking place at the boundaries between traditionally defined disciplines. Chemical scientists at UO cross departmental and disciplinary boundaries to follow their curiosity by participating in joint research through various research institutes and labs devoted to materials science, molecular biology, optics, and theoretical science.

Interdisciplinary Opportunities


Chemistry graduate student Gabe Rudebusch

Synthesizing Compounds with Potential Impact

"Potentially our approach could help to make organic solar cells more efficient than silicon solar cells, but that's probably far in the future. Our synthesis is rapid and efficient. We easily can make a gram of this compound, which is very stable when exposed to oxygen and heat. This high stability for biradical compounds is almost unheard of in the literature."

–Gabe Rudebusch, Chemistry doctoral student, '16



Periodic table

Explore Our Research

Recent research by chemistry and biochemistry faculty includes a variety of topics relating to brand-new kind of nanomaterial, nanoscale semiconductors, and breakthroughs in biointegrated devices. Read about the latest research from our department.

Recent Publications


News

CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY - Justin Svendsen has been awarded an F31 NRSA fellowship from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for his project, "Development of Affinity-Based Delivery Systems for Angiogenic Growth Factors." The three-year $145,000 award supports a mentored research experience for promising graduate student researchers. Svendsen is a researcher in the Knight Campus lab of of Dr. Marian Hettiaratchi.
CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY - Vickie DeRose, professor and head of chemistry and biochemistry, has been awarded a creativity extension by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research into the structure and function of ribonucleic acid (RNA) through its interactions with metal ions. Fellow chemist Mike Pluth was awarded an NSF creativity extension in 2023 for his work on the role small sulfur-based molecules play in many biological processes. These molecules were likely key species involved in evolution, especially before there was oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere.
CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY - Check out news highlights from 2024 and catch up with alumni in the latest issue of the UO Chemistry and Biochemistry newsletter!