Brooks Abel

Research Bio

The Abel group conducts research at the interfaces of polymer organic chemistry, catalysis, and materials science. They develop new living polymerization reactions, with an emphasis on stereoselective and scalable catalysis, guided by the growing energetic, environmental, and economic concerns associated with the production and end-of-life fates of synthetic materials. They pursue application-driven polymer chemistry, where the desired chemical identity, thermomechanical properties, and end-use of the polymer materials are used to guide the development of new polymerization methods. They also take a methodology approach to discovering new polymerization reactions to push the field of polymer chemistry towards previously unobtainable control over polymer microstructure, architecture, and functionality.

Research Expertise and Interest

polymer chemistry, organic chemistry, stereoselective catalysis, polymer recycling

Teaching

Courses taught during the three most recent terms
2026 Spring
  • Polymer Organic Chemistry  [CHEM 159]  

  • Polymer Organic Chemistry  [CHEM 259]  

  • Seminars for Graduate Students  [CHEM 298]  

  • Research for Graduate Students  [CHEM 299]  

  • Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Chemistry  [CHEM 300]  

  • Senior Honors Thesis  [CHEM H193]  

  • Research for Advanced Undergraduates  [CHEM H194]  

2025 Fall
  • Organic Chemistry  [CHEM 12A]  

  • Special Laboratory Study  [CHEM 196]  

  • Seminars for Graduate Students  [CHEM 298]  

  • Research for Graduate Students  [CHEM 299]  

  • Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Chemistry  [CHEM 300]  

  • Research for Advanced Undergraduates  [CHEM H194]  

2025 Spring
  • Polymer Organic Chemistry  [CHEM 159]  

  • Polymer Organic Chemistry  [CHEM 259]  

  • Seminars for Graduate Students  [CHEM 298]  

  • Research for Graduate Students  [CHEM 299]  

  • Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Chemistry  [CHEM 300]  

  • Senior Honors Thesis  [CHEM H193]  

  • Research for Advanced Undergraduates  [CHEM H194]