Luis A. Colón

Luis A. Colón is SUNY Distinguished Professor and A. Conger Goodyear Professor of Chemistry at the University at Buffalo (UB), where he also serves as Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences. A world-recognized leader in separation science and a tireless advocate for diversity in STEM, Colón has spent more than two decades building research programs and mentoring pipelines that have dramatically increased the representation of under-represented minorities in chemistry.

Education & Training: While specific degrees are not enumerated in the provided text, Colón’s sustained scholarly output and professorial appointments indicate extensive graduate and post-graduate training in analytical/physical chemistry.

Research Interests:
Colón’s laboratory develops cutting-edge chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques to tackle molecular separations across analytical, materials, and life-science arenas. Core themes include:

• Ultra-high-pressure and supercritical-fluid chromatography for OLED and photoswitchable molecules
• Design of nanostructured stationary phases (carbon dots, fibrous silica, metal oxides)
• Phosphopeptide enrichment strategies leveraging hafnia/zirconia sorbents
• Fundamental interfacial studies elucidating molecule–surface interactions via spectroscopy

Parallel to these scientific pursuits, Colón spearheads large-scale educational initiatives—such as the Puerto Rico-to-UB chemistry pipeline—that transform institutional climates and diversify the professoriate.

Recent Publication Trends:
Over the last three years, Colón’s group has published intensively on advanced separation methodologies applied to high-value materials (OLEDs, photoswitches) and complex natural products. Simultaneously, he has co-authored reflective pieces on systemic reform in STEM education, demonstrating a dual commitment to experimental innovation and social impact.

Awards & Honors:

• Robert Holland Jr. Award (Research Corporation for Science Advancement, 2023)
• SUNY Distinguished Professor
• A. Conger Goodyear Professor of Chemistry
• Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM, 2015)
• Fellow, American Chemical Society
• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry

Mentorship & Grants:
Colón has mentored dozens of doctoral students, including recent graduates Nahyr López Dauphin and Josmely Vélez-González. His externally funded projects encompass NSF’s AGEP and CIRTL initiatives aimed at institutional transformation and post-doctoral career development. These grants not only support research but also underwrite mentorship networks that extend from Puerto Rican undergraduate programs to UB’s graduate school and beyond.

Laboratory & Teams:
The Colón Research Group operates within UB’s Department of Chemistry, maintaining state-of-the-art chromatography, electrophoresis, and spectroscopic instrumentation. The lab culture integrates rigorous analytical science with community-building activities designed to foster inclusive excellence.