Mike Pluth

Mike Pluth is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oregon, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. His research bridges organic, inorganic, and chemical biology, focusing on molecular recognition and reactivity of gasotransmitters like hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbonyl sulfide (COS).

• B.S., University of Oregon (2004)
• Ph.D., UC Berkeley (2008) under Robert G. Bergman and Kenneth N. Raymond
• Postdoctoral work at MIT (2008-11) with Stephen J. Lippard

Research highlights include pioneering COS-releasing molecules, H2S detection tools, and studies on H2S/HS– reactivity with transition metals. His group employs organic synthesis, spectroscopy (UV-vis, fluorescence, NMR, X-ray), computational chemistry, and biochemical assays.

His 15 most recent publications explore hydrogen selenide delivery, persulfide donors, and sulfide quantification methods. Themes span Chemical Science, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Chemical Communications, with subfields in gasotransmitter biology, supramolecular activation, and redox chemistry.

• AAAS Fellow (2022)
• NSF CAREER Award (2015)
• NIH Pathway to Independence Award (2010-14)
• Camille Dreyfus Teacher Scholar (2016)

Pluth leads outreach programs via collaborations with Springfield School District, impacting 100s of K-12 students annually. Grants from NSF, Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, and local sponsors support his interdisciplinary work.