Michael Gordon

Michael J. Gordon is the Warren G. and Katherine S. Schlinger Professor and Chair of Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). His research focuses on nanoscale materials synthesis, scanning probe microscopy (SPM), and energy-related applications, including photocatalysis, plasma-based synthesis, and bio-inspired photonics. He leads the Gordon Group, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to advance materials science and engineering.

Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering (Caltech), MS in Applied Physics (Caltech), MS and BS in Chemical Engineering (Colorado School of Mines).

Research Interests: Gordon’s work spans nanomaterials, catalysis, biomolecular systems, and energy technologies. Key areas include protein assembly mechanisms (e.g., reflectin), plasma-driven carbon-neutral energy solutions, and optoelectronic devices. His lab develops novel materials characterization methods, such as tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and high-pressure plasma reactors.

Publications: Over 150 peer-reviewed articles in top journals like Advanced Materials, ACS Catalysis, and Science. Recent work emphasizes photocatalytic hydrogen production, bio-inspired photonics, and protein-electrochemistry interfaces.

Awards: Elected Fellow of the American Vacuum Society, David and Lucile Packard Fellowship, NSF Early Career Award, and multiple teaching accolades. He holds the Inaugural Founder’s Chair in Chemical Engineering at UCSB.

Grants & Teams: Principal investigator on grants from NSF, DoE, and industry partnerships. Collaborates with the Solid State Lighting & Energy Electronics Center (SSLEEC) and Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies (ICB).

Labs & Facilities: Active in UCSB’s Nanofabrication Facility, CNSI Confocal Raman Facility, and MRL TEMPO Lab. His group designs custom instruments for nanoscale characterization and plasma synthesis.