Courtney C. Roberts

Courtney C. Roberts is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Minnesota, holding distinguished titles including the 3M Alumni Professor and McKnight Land-Grant Professor. Her research bridges inorganic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, and organic synthesis to develop novel catalytic systems.

• Key research areas: C–C coupling, radical electrophile coupling, and aryne difunctionalization
• Funded by NIH, NSF (including a CAREER award), and ACS PRF
• Recognized as a 2025 Camille Dreyfus Teacher Scholar

Her group focuses on overcoming limitations in transition metal catalysis through redox-neutral photoredox systems, early transition metal activation, and selective aryne reactivity. Recent work explores ligand cooperativity in zirconium complexes, regioselectivity in palladium-catalyzed reactions, and hydroboration dynamics with yttrium.

Scientific Awards:

• Camille Dreyfus Teacher Scholar (2025)
• NSF CAREER CHE-2237586
• NIH Grant 1R35GM146957
• ACS PRF 62432-DNI1

Courtney mentors graduate students in catalysis research, with recent alumni like Dr. Alex Umanzor (PhD #7) and Dr. Chris Seong (PhD #8). The group emphasizes innovation, inclusivity, and challenging traditional norms in science.