Peter C. Ford

Peter C. Ford is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), affiliated with the College of Letters and Science. His research focuses on photochemistry, catalysis, and the biochemistry of small molecule bioregulators like nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). He holds a Ph.D. from Yale University and completed postdoctoral work at Stanford with Henry Taube. Ford has over 440 publications and 7 patents, with notable awards including the Richard C. Tolman Medal (1993) and Royal Society of Chemistry Inorganic Mechanisms Award (2015).

His research spans three core areas: (1) photochemical delivery of bioactive molecules using quantum dots and nanocarriers, (2) mechanisms of NO and CO interactions with biological systems, and (3) sustainable catalytic conversion of biomass to fuels. His group has pioneered photoCORMs and photoNORMs for controlled release of NO/CO under near-infrared light, addressing tissue penetration challenges. Over 65 Ph.D. students and 8 M.S. graduates have worked under his mentorship.

Key projects include quantum dot-mediated NO release, manganese porphyrin-based NO dioxygenation studies, and biomass-to-liquids catalysis using porous metal oxides. His work bridges inorganic chemistry, bioinorganic systems, and sustainable energy solutions.

Scientific awards include recognition from ACS, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. His lab locations include PSBN 3638, 3638A, and 4649C offices in UCSB's Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.