Ongoing research at the interface of chemistry and biology includes investigations of natural product biosynthesis, identification of biomarkers for autoimmune diseases, mechanisms of DNA damage and repair, biomimetic catalysis, synthesis of antibiotic building blocks, and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.

Undergraduate students work with faculty on projects related to chemical education. Research in chemical education at Brown includes developing inquiry-based laboratory experiments for introductory, organic, and inorganic chemistry; small-group, interactive problem sessions for concept mastery in introductory courses; and incorporating green chemistry into experiments.

Inorganic chemistry at Brown focuses on organometallics including rare-earth metals, inorganic synthesis, catalysis, carbon dioxide reduction, green chemistry, synthesis of nanomaterials, and the role of inorganic compounds in biological systems. Research in this area reflects collaboration with engineers, organic chemists, and chemical biologists.

Research and nano/materials chemistry focuses on nanoparticle synsthesis and characterization, magnetic materials, nanoclusters, quantum dots, nanomedicine and drug delivery, medical imaging, catalysis, and self-assembly.

Research in organic chemistry includes organic synthesis, green chemistry, chemistry of nucleic acids and enzymes, spectroscopic characterization of reactive intermediates, analytical methods including x-ray diffraction and multi-nuclear NMR, and self-assembly.

Research in theoretical and experimental physical chemistry includes ultrafast study of reaction dynamics, photoacoustics, applications of chemical physics to medical imaging, novel spectroscopic methods, computational chemistry, quantum chemistry, and molecular interaction in liquids.