Research and nano/materials chemistry focuses on nanoparticle synsthesis and characterization, magnetic materials, nanoclusters, quantum dots, nanomedicine and drug delivery, medical imaging, catalysis, and self-assembly. Chemistry Department research groups work in collaboration with other departments through Brown's Institute for Molecular and Nanoscale Innovation.
Nano and Materials Chemistry
Associated Faculty

Amit Basu
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Areas of Interest
- Glycobiology
- Polymers
- Green chemistry
- Synthetic organic chemistry
- Interfacial recognition
- Nanomaterials

Ou Chen
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Areas of Interest
- Quantum dots
- Perovskite nanomaterials
- Nanocrystal superstructures
- Multifunctional nanomaterials
- Hybrid nano-structures
- Nanotechnology for energy and photocatalysis

Vicki L. Colvin
Vernon K. Krieble Professor of ChemistryProfessor of EngineeringProfessor of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and BiotechnologyDirector, Center for Biomedical Engineering
Areas of Interest
- Nanomaterials synthesis
- Magnetic materials
- Environmental fate and transport of colloids
- Biologically compatible nanomaterials
- Magnetic and electrical imaging in complex environments.

Megan Kizer
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Areas of Interest
- Glycochemistry
- Directed Evolution
- Probe Development
- Cancer Therapeutics
- Microbial Immunology

Benjamin McDonald
Assistant Professor
Areas of Interest
- Synthesis/Catalysis • Polymer Chemistry • Self-Assembly • Emulsion/Colloid Science • Material Science

Shouheng Sun
Vernon K. Krieble Professor of ChemistryProfessor of Engineering

Lai-Sheng Wang
Jesse H. and Louisa D. Sharpe Metcalf Professor of ChemistryChair, Department of Chemistry
Areas of Interest
- Experimental Physical Chemistry
- Nanoclusters and Nanomaterials
- Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Photoelectron Imaging
- Electrospray Ionization and Cryogenic Ion Traps
- Boron Clusters and Transition Metal Clusters
- Multiply-Charged Anions and Dipole-Bound States

Matthew B. Zimmt
Professor of Chemistry
Areas of Interest
- Nanoscience
- Self-assembly
- Scanning microscopies
- Organic synthesis