Amanda Cook-Sneathen

Amanda Cook-Sneathen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oregon within the College of Arts and Sciences. She earned her B.S. at California State University Fullerton (2010) and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan (2015), followed by postdoctoral work. Her research spans heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, focusing on transforming organic molecules through C-H activation, hydrosilylation, and metal-mediated reactions.

• Education
  • B.S., California State University Fullerton, 2010
  • Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2015

Her work explores catalytic systems using transition metals like palladium, nickel, and zinc to enable selective bond formation in organic molecules. Publications highlight mechanistic studies, ligand effects, and applications in hydroamination, oxygenation, and isomerization processes. Current projects in her lab examine steric and electronic influences on catalyst reactivity.

Recent publications address silane steric bulk in palladium hydrides (2022), nickel/silane catalytic systems for alkene isomerization (2022), and oxidative addition mechanisms (2021). Earlier work includes asymmetric hydroarylation (2011), C-H borylation (2016), and ligand-controlled palladium catalysis (2013, 2015).

She is affiliated with the University of Oregon's Materials Science Institute. Her lab operates from Klamath Hall and Willamette Hall, and she participates in graduate student recruitment and REU programs.