Yisong Guo

Yisong Guo is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University, specializing in bioinorganic spectroscopy and iron-containing metalloproteins. His work bridges biochemistry, spectroscopy, and Density Functional Theory to uncover mechanisms of metalloenzyme catalysis in processes like N₂, H₂, and O₂ activation.

Guo earned a Ph.D. in Applied Science from the University of California, Davis (2003–2009). He has held academic positions at Carnegie Mellon since 2014, advancing from Assistant to Professor.

Research Interests focus on iron enzymes such as nitrogenases, hydrogenases, and oxygenases, using Mössbauer, EPR, and Nuclear Resonance Vibrational Spectroscopy (NRVS). His group integrates synchrotron radiation and DFT calculations to resolve geometric and electronic structures of iron cofactors during catalytic cycles, with applications in alternative energy and human health.

Key Publications highlight C-H bond activation, iron hydride identification, nonheme iron catalysis, and ligand design for enhanced reactivity. His work also explores imaging techniques for iron cofactors in whole cells using synchrotron Mössbauer.

Awards

• NSF CAREER Award (2017)

Scientific Leadership includes developing synchrotron-based spectroscopic methods and interdisciplinary collaborations with groups at synchrotron facilities. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in physical chemistry and bioinorganic spectroscopy.