Laboratory Manager: Ashley Richardson Richard Liu's research is directed at the development of organic and organometallic catalysts and synthetic methods to access complex molecules for discovery. For example, the group is working on design of unconventional cross-coupling reactions that rapidly generate diversity from a small pool of reactive partners. A related area of focus is the investigation of redox-active organic molecules as sustainable and versatile catalytic platforms. In addition, the Liu laboratory is interested in physical organic chemistry, especially the study of reaction mechanisms, and its applications to energy and sustainability. A particular emphasis is on the design of directly light-driven processes for chemical separations. The group actively recruits students and postdoctoral fellows interested in organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and sustainability/environmental solutions. Trainees gain extensive expertise in synthesis, reaction optimization, standard analytical and spectroscopic techniques, and computational methods. Richard joined the Harvard faculty in July 2022. He was an undergraduate at Harvard and completed his graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he worked with Stephen L. Buchwald on the development of copper-hydride catalysts for olefin hydrofunctionalization processes, as well as palladium- and nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. After earning his Ph.D. in 2019, he joined the laboratory of Timothy M. Swager at MIT and the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN) as a postdoctoral associate, during which he demonstrated new applications of photochemistry performed on and by organic polymers., Trainees gain extensive expertise in synthesis, reaction optimization, standard analytical and spectroscopic techniques, and computational methods. Richard joined the Harvard faculty in July 2022., Browse the graduate and undergraduate degrees and majors offered by Harvard's 13 Schools and learn more about admissions requirements, scholarship, and financial aid opportunities..