Darrin S. Richeson

Darrin S. Richeson is a Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences at the University of Ottawa. He holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and completed postdoctoral research at Northwestern University under Tobin Marks. His research focuses on inorganic and organometallic chemistry, emphasizing catalytic transformations and the design of molecular precursors for solid-state materials.

Education: Ph.D. (Cornell University). Research interests include photocatalytic CO₂ reduction, ligand design for metal complexes, and magnetic anisotropy in transition metal systems. His lab has pioneered work with guanidinate ligands and bis(imino)pyridine frameworks, contributing to catalytic guanidination and novel carbene systems.

Key projects include developing CO₂ reduction catalysts, exploring non-covalent metal-ligand interactions, and designing single-molecule magnets. The lab maintains a multidisciplinary approach with collaborations in computational analysis and materials characterization. Recent work emphasizes visible-light-driven catalytic systems and earth-abundant metal catalysts for sustainable energy applications.

He teaches courses including CHM 1311, CHM 3350, and graduate-level inorganic chemistry (CHM 8302/8343). Over 20+ graduate and undergraduate researchers have been mentored, with many advancing to academic and industrial roles. The lab adheres to strict ethical guidelines and promotes a harassment-free research environment.