Rory Waterman
![](https://site.uvm.edu/waterman/files/2024/02/RW.jpg)
Professor of Chemistry
Innovation Hall
82 University Place
Burlington, VT 05405
Phone: (802) 656-0278
Email: rory.waterman@uvm.edu
Office: E334 Innovation Hall
Lab: W319D Discovery Hall
Appointments | Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of Vermont, 2007-2012 Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Vermont, 2012-2016 Professor of Chemistry, University of Vermont, 2016-present Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Vermont, 2016-2022 |
Training | B. S. in chemistry (1999), University of Rochester Ph. D. in chemistry (2004),The University of Chicago postdoctoral research (2004-2006), University of California, Berkeley |
Research | Synthetic and mechanistic inorganic/organometallic chemistry, catalysis The core of my research program is using metals as catalysts to build chemical bonds. There are interesting molecules featuring elements such as phosphorus or silicon, but the routes to making these molecules are difficult, inefficient, or produce large amounts of waste. My goal is to discover efficient ways to make these kinds of main-group molecules that may have application as materials with unique electronic properties for energy-related applications. Recently, my program has expanded to include small-molecule activation, particularly carbon dioxide as a substrate, and the synthesis of semiconductor ceramics via a low-temperature process. For more information on this work, see the group research or UVM faculty pages. |
Teaching Interests | inorganic chemistry organometallic chemistry science literacy energy |
Outreach | Faculty professional development Undergraduate research access (see guide or book for Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences, CUREs) K-12 teacher pre- and ion-service professional development Research opportunities for high school students K-12 classroom support Co-organizer of the Champlain Area Chemistry Symposium |
Awards | University Scholar, 2023 Sigma-Aldrich Lecturer, University of Tokyo, 2023 Invited Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 2022 Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2020 Fellow, American Chemical Society, 2019 Leadership Enrichment And Development (LEAD) Award, 2017 Cottrell Scholar Lecturer, 2017 Fellow, American Institute of Chemists, 2016 Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015 Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship for Experienced Researchers, 2013 UVM Sustainability Fellow, 2010 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship, 2009 Research Corporation for Science Advancement Cottrell Scholar Award, 2009 US National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2008 Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science Fellowship, 2004 |