Shabnam Hematian

Shabnam Hematian is an Associate Professor and Bernard-Glickman Dean’s Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). She leads the Hematian Research Group, focused on bioinorganic and materials chemistry addressing challenges in catalysis, sustainability, and renewable energy. Her work explores redox processes in metalloproteins, synthetic coordination compounds, and electrocatalysts, drawing inspiration from biological systems to develop novel catalytic systems.

Education: B.S., National University of Iran; M.S., Sharif University of Technology; Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University; Postdoctoral Fellowships at Caltech and Caltech/Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis.

Research Interests: Metal-mediated small molecule activation, bio-inspired synthetic systems, copper enzymes (e.g., cytochrome c oxidase, BURP domain cyclases), electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction, and redox-active materials. Her group integrates expertise in bioinorganic chemistry, electrochemistry, and materials science.

Notable Achievements: Recipient of the Arthur E. Martell Early Career Researcher Prize, NSF LEAPS-MPS Award, NIH MIRA, DOE Early Career Award, and UNC ROI Award. Leads the NICER initiative, a statewide collaboration for nature-inspired energy research.

Labs and Collaborations: Hematian Research Group at UNCG’s Sullivan Science Building. NICER (Nature Inspired Collaborative Energy Research) spans multiple institutions in North Carolina, focusing on clean energy solutions using natural products and interdisciplinary approaches.