Robinson

Molecular radicals, or highly reactive chemical species with unpaired electrons, may hold the key to groundbreaking discoveries in chemistry. My research focuses on unraveling these radicals’ reactivity—pioneering work that challenges our current understanding. Our work combines elements of being “molecular architects” and “chemical detectives.” We design molecules with unique features and then study their structure and reactivity.

Although researchers often train in specific areas of inquiry, the path of one’s actual research can take unexpected turns. A single discovery may fortuitously lead to another, resulting in a focus that can differ significantly from the original field of study. Although I am classically trained in synthetic inorganic chemistry, my research path has lead me to explore this fascinating world of molecular radicals. 

My research program has flourished at the University of Georgia, where investigation and discovery are highly valued. UGA boasts the research infrastructure necessary to support top-level efforts, and the administration is both supportive of our research culture and attentive to the needs of faculty and the broader research enterprise. I am particularly humbled by my election to the National Academy of Sciences in 2021, one of the highest honors a scientist can achieve. 

Our overarching goal is to train competent scientists—in this case, chemists—who can solve problems using sound scientific principles and logic. Without question, the most important and rewarding collaboration of my career has been with Professor Fritz Schaefer, Director of UGA’s Center for Computational Chemistry. Professor Schaefer and his colleagues provide a theoretical foundation for our experimental findings, allowing our research to be embraced by both computational chemists and synthetic chemists. A significant portion of our success can be attributed to this invaluable collaboration.