Christian R. Goldsmith

Christian R. Goldsmith is a J. Milton Harris Professor and Undergraduate Program Officer (UPO) in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Auburn University. His research focuses on synthetic inorganic chemistry, particularly developing small molecule sensors for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and catalysts for hydrocarbon oxidation and superoxide degradation. He holds a B.A. from Harvard University (1998), Ph.D. from Stanford University (2004), and completed an NIH postdoctoral fellowship at MIT (2004-2007).

Research interests include MRI contrast agents for hydrogen peroxide detection, transition metal-based catalysts for dioxygen reduction in energy storage systems, and enzyme-mimicking complexes for biomedical applications. His work bridges inorganic, organic, and biochemistry, emphasizing redox-active ligands and first-row transition metals.

Key achievements include a $420,000 NSF award for diagnostic sensor development and recognition via awards such as the COSAM Young Faculty Scholar (2023) and Outstanding COSAM Advisor (2018). His publications span catalytic mechanisms, ligand design, and sensor stability, with a focus on practical applications in medicine and energy.

Award highlights include the NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship (2004) and Franklin Veatch Memorial Fellowship (2003). Professional activities include leadership roles in the American Chemical Society’s Auburn Local Section.