David Goldberg

David Goldberg is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University, within the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry, particularly synthetic modeling of metalloenzymes involved in small-molecule activation and catalytic oxidation processes.

Research Interests:

• Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry
• Bioinorganic Mechanisms
• High-Valent Metal-Oxo and Metal-Imido Complexes
• Dioxygen and Nitric Oxide Activation
• Ligand Design and Secondary Coordination Sphere Effects
• Hydrogen- and Oxygen-Atom Transfer Reactions
• Spectroscopic and Computational Analysis of Reactive Intermediates

His work bridges fundamental mechanistic inquiry with applications in energy, environment, and human health. The research employs a multidisciplinary approach combining synthesis, spectroscopy (EPR, Mössbauer, resonance Raman, XAS), and DFT calculations to understand transition metal reactivity in biological and synthetic systems.

The recent publications reflect a strong focus on biomimetic modeling of heme and nonheme enzymes, with particular emphasis on reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, valence tautomerism, and photocatalytic activation of dioxygen. The overarching themes include elucidating bond-making and bond-breaking steps at metal centers, designing functional analogs of enzyme active sites, and developing novel catalysts inspired by nature.

Scientific Awards:

Advising and Grants:
Dr. Goldberg mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. While specific grant details are not listed, his research is supported by instrumentation and collaborative resources at Johns Hopkins and external partners. The lab actively contributes to training the next generation of inorganic chemists and advancing fundamental knowledge in bioinorganic mechanisms.

Laboratory and Research Team:
The Goldberg Research Group operates a well-equipped laboratory in the New Chemistry Building at JHU, utilizing advanced synthetic and analytical techniques. The team includes graduate students and postdocs working on diverse projects related to metalloenzyme mimicry, small-molecule activation, and catalyst design. The group collaborates with spectroscopists and computational chemists to gain comprehensive insights into reaction mechanisms.