The Department of Chemistry at the University of Houston is ranked by the National Research Council in the top 50% of 212 doctoral programs in the U.S. Members of the faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students perform cutting-edge research in diverse areas of chemistry, chemical biology, and materials chemistry. There is a strong emphasis on cross-disciplinary research involving other UH departments and colleges, and universities throughout the world. Chemistry faculty members have been recognized nationally and internationally for their research and teaching with Guggenheim, Dreyfus, Sloan, Fulbright, Beckman, NSF Career, Cottrell, Keck, and Humboldt awards.
Research in the organic chemistry division spans a wide range of areas, ranging from the synthesis and study of complex natural products and medicinally important compounds to the development of practical synthetic methodologies to access diverse classes of molecules. Many research groups are engaged in interdisciplinary projects, such as work in the fields of supramolecular chemistry, surface chemistry, chemical sensors, chemical biology, bioorganic chemistry, and renewable energy. Notable achievements in the organic chemistry division include advances in directed CH bond activation, potential treatments for drug addiction, preparation of anti-fouling coatings, molecular water oxidation catalysis, and many others.