Cindy Browder

Cindy Browder, PhD, is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at Northern Arizona University (NAU), located in Flagstaff, AZ. She leads research in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, focusing on energy storage materials, medicinal chemistry, and synthetic organic chemistry. Her work includes designing solid-state polymer electrolytes, structural supercapacitors, and antimicrobial compounds targeting bacterial pathways.

Dr. Browder holds a BA in Biochemistry from Oberlin College, a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Utah, and completed postdoctoral research in Organic Synthesis at Oregon State University. Her lab, located in Bldg 36 Rooms 203-204, collaborates with NAU’s Mechanical Engineering department to develop multifunctional power storage materials.

Her research interests span organic reaction development, heterocyclic chemistry, natural product synthesis, and polymer science for energy applications. Recent projects include hyperbranched polymer electrolytes for solid-state systems and structural supercapacitors that integrate mechanical strength with power storage. She also investigates ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents for drug delivery and antibacterial applications, alongside enzyme inhibitors for bacterial amino acid biosynthesis pathways.

Key themes in her publications (2013–2018) include advancements in polymer electrolyte design, structural material innovations, and antimicrobial compound development. Her work emphasizes sustainable, bioderived materials and their applications in renewable energy and healthcare.