Susannah Scott

Susannah Scott is a Distinguished Professor and Mellichamp Chair in Sustainable Catalytic Processing at the University of California, Santa Barbara, jointly appointed in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. She leads fundamental and applied research in catalysis and surface chemistry, focusing on sustainable processes for polymer upcycling, biomass conversion, and hydrocarbon transformations.

She received her B.S. from the University of Alberta (1987) and Ph.D. from Iowa State University (1991). Her research employs advanced techniques in organometallic chemistry, surface science, spectroscopy, and kinetic modeling to design heterogeneous catalysts for olefin metathesis, alkane dehydrogenation, and plastic waste valorization.

Her recent publications demonstrate strong focus on catalytic polymer upcycling, kinetic analysis of reaction mechanisms, and development of experimental databases for heterogeneous catalysis. Research consistently addresses sustainability challenges through innovative catalyst design and reaction engineering.

Honors and Awards:

• 2024 Eastman Chemical Distinguished Lecture
• 2023 Irving Wender Award
• 2022 Chair, Gordon Research Conference on Catalysis
• 2018 ChangJiang Visiting Professor
• 2008 AAAS Fellow
• 1999 Premier's Research Excellence Award
• 1994 John Charles Polanyi Prize

She directs the Scott Research Group and founded the Mellichamp Academic Initiative in Sustainable Materials and Product Design. She leads the Center for Advancing Sustainability via Action on Plastics (ASAP) and the NSF-funded ESTEEM program for engineering education equity. Current initiatives include catalytic upcycling technologies and sustainable manufacturing processes.