Dr. Seth Marder stands as a preeminent physical chemist whose career has bridged fundamental science and practical applications in advanced materials development. He currently serves as Professor in both the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Department of Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder while directing the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, a collaborative venture between CU Boulder and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Previously, he held the distinguished position of Regents Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology and served on the technical staff at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he received the prestigious Lew Allen Award for Excellence. His academic journey began with undergraduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology followed by doctoral research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, establishing the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach to materials science.
Dr. Marder's pioneering contributions to the quantum mechanical understanding of nonlinear electro-optics in organic materials have fundamentally reshaped the field of organic photonics and electronics. His extensive publication record of over 600 peer-reviewed papers, cited more than 72,000 times with an H-index of 120, demonstrates the profound impact of his work on developing polymeric, organic, and organometallic materials for nonlinear optical applications. He has secured 40 issued patents and successfully co-founded two start-up companies that translate laboratory discoveries into commercial technologies for photonic, display, electronic, and medical applications. His research on infrared absorbing dyes and molecular design principles for organic semiconductors has enabled significant advances in organic light-emitting diodes, field-effect transistors, and photovoltaic devices, establishing him as a central figure in the development of organic electronic materials.
As chair of the editorial board for Materials Horizons, Dr. Marder has shaped the discourse in advanced materials research while mentoring generations of scientists through his academic positions. His recognition as a Fellow of seven prestigious scientific societies including the American Physical Society, Optical Society of America, and National Academy of Inventors underscores his standing as a leader at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and engineering. Current research in his laboratory focuses on sustainable energy solutions through innovative materials design for solar energy conversion and storage technologies. Dr. Marder continues to drive the field forward through his leadership at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, where he fosters interdisciplinary collaborations aimed at developing next-generation renewable energy technologies with practical real-world impact.
