Stephen Bradforth

Stephen Bradforth is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Southern California and Senior Advisor to the Dean for Research Strategy and Development in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. He earned his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley (1992) and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Chicago.

• B.A., Natural Sciences, Cambridge University (1987)
• Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, UC Berkeley (1992)
• Postdoctoral Associate, University of Chicago (1993–1996)

His research focuses on ultrafast laser spectroscopy to study chemical reactions in complex environments like aqueous systems and molecular materials. Key projects include:

• Solar Energy Conversion: Investigating photosensitizers based on earth-abundant elements (Cu, Zn, Zr) and organic photovoltaics with BODIPY cores.
• DNA Photodamage: Mechanisms of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) formation under UV exposure, emphasizing base-stacking effects.
• Electronic Structure in Ethereal Solvents: Studying solvated electrons in liquid ammonia and their role in carbanion stabilization.

His 15 most recent articles (2004–2024) highlight advancements in photoelectron spectroscopy, singlet fission for solar cells, and DNA damage pathways. Collaborations span medicine, physics, and engineering.

Scientific Awards include the ACS Physical Chemistry Division Senior Experimental Award (2023), STAR Awardee (2019), Cottrell Scholar, and Fellow of APS and AAAS. He has received both Junior (2001) and Senior Raubenheimer Awards (2022) at USC.

Advising has been a cornerstone, with 23 PhD students graduated and 4 current candidates. His 15 most recent publications (2012–2024) emphasize ultrafast dynamics, charge transfer mechanisms, and environmental photochemistry.

Labs & Teams: The Bradforth Group operates advanced time-resolved photoelectron spectrometers, liquid microjet systems, and high-repetition-rate laser facilities. Current projects include metallic water solutions (Nature 2021), DNA photophysics (FASEB J 2011), and carbanion electronic structure in ammonia.