Rebecca Sherbo

Rebecca Sherbo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Northeastern University, affiliated with the College of Engineering. Her research focuses on electrochemical and biological methods to produce sustainable chemical products like fuels, foods, and fertilizers from gases and renewable energy. Key areas include nitrogen reduction to ammonia, microbial food production using CO₂ and N₂, and integrating electrochemistry with microbial growth systems to enhance efficiency.

Her work addresses global challenges such as reducing reliance on fossil fuels in fertilizer production and minimizing agricultural environmental impacts. The Sherbo Lab develops hybrid systems combining inorganic materials and biological organisms to achieve carbon-neutral and nitrogen-efficient processes. Recent advancements include genetic engineering tools for Xanthobacter autotrophicus and innovative palladium membrane reactor designs for hydrogenation reactions.

Research highlights include electrolytic deuteration of unsaturated bonds, CO₂ conversion to fuels, and ligand-mediated improvements in palladium nanoparticle performance. Her studies emphasize scalable, energy-efficient solutions for chemical synthesis and environmental sustainability. She actively publishes in electrochemistry, catalysis, and bioengineering fields, with a focus on translating lab innovations into real-world applications.