Paula Colavita

Professor Paula Colavita is a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin. Her research spans electrochemistry, materials science, and sustainable energy technologies, with a focus on carbon-based materials and bio-interfaces. She leads a dynamic research group with extensive collaborations and funding from major agencies.

Research Interests:

• Electrocatalysis for hydrogen and oxygen evolution
• Carbon material functionalization and surface science
• Microbial fuel cells and bio-electrochemical systems
• Single-entity electrochemistry and nanoscale sensing
• Sustainable energy conversion and green chemistry
• Bio-interfaces and antifouling coatings

Her recent publications highlight work on N-doped carbons, MXenes, and electrocatalytic hydrogenation, demonstrating a strong trend toward sustainable catalyst design and advanced electrochemical characterization techniques.

Scientific Awards:

• Institute of Chemistry of Ireland Annual Award (2021)
• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2001)
• Joseph B. Bouknight Teaching Award (2000, 2001)
• Dean's Fellowship (2000)

She mentors numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers and has secured significant grants from Science Foundation Ireland, H2020, and the Irish Research Council. Her research group, the Colavita Group, focuses on rational design of functional materials for energy and environmental applications.