Karen Wooley

Karen Wooley is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and holds the W. T. Doherty-Welch Chair at Texas A&M University. She also serves as a Professor of Materials Science & Engineering. Her research focuses on developing degradable polymers from natural products, advanced materials for sustainability, and translational applications addressing global challenges like plastic pollution and climate change. She leads the Wooley Research Group and directs the TAMU Laboratory for Synthetic-Biologic Interactions.

Education: B.S. in Chemistry (Oregon State University, 1988); Ph.D. in Polymer/Organic Chemistry (Cornell University, 1993). Former positions include 16 years at Washington University in St. Louis before joining Texas A&M in 2009.

Research interests combine organic synthesis, polymerization strategies, and polymer modification to create functional nanostructures and sustainable materials. Key areas include biodegradable polymers, drug delivery systems, and environmentally benign materials. Recent work emphasizes leveraging natural product complexity for polymer design.

Notable articles span energy storage (e.g., polypeptide batteries), sustainable materials (e.g., CO2-derived polycarbonates), and environmental remediation (e.g., crude oil recovery nanoparticles). Awards include National Academy of Sciences membership (2020), SEC Professor of the Year (2021), and multiple fellowships (AAAS, NAI, AIMBE).

Grants and industry roles: CTO of Teysha Technologies, President of Sugar Plastics, LLC. Over 140 students have been mentored, many in interdisciplinary projects bridging chemistry and engineering. Active in commercializing sustainable materials through patents and industry collaborations.