Sonny Lee

Sonny Lee
Associate Professor, Associate Chair (Graduate Studies and Research)
Location: C2 382

Biography

Sonny Lee's research efforts focus on challenging problems in transition element inorganic chemistry. His studies involve the synthesis of new compounds and compound classes, and the characterization of their physical and chemical properties by a broad array of methods.

Topics of fundamental chemical and/or biological interest form the basis for Sonny Lee's investigations. His primary research area is directed toward understanding molecular aspects of biological nitrogen fixation. These studies have led to the development of synthetic chemistry associated with clusters of weak-field iron and anionic nitrogen ligation; the discovery within these clusters of iron centers with rare or unprecedented features, e.g., high-valent +4 oxidation states, 3-coordinate metal environments and terminal imide ligation; and the demonstration of physicochemical analogies that relate iron-nitrogen systems to biological iron-sulfur chemistry.

Research interests

  • Bioinorganic chemistry

  • Nitrogenase

  • Clusters

  • Synthetic analogues

  • Transition metals

  • Synthetic Chemistry and Catalysis

Education

  • 1993, PhD, Chemistry, Harvard University, USA

  • 1987, BSc, Chemistry, California Institute of Technology, USA

Awards

  • 2000-2004, National Science Foundation CAREER Award, USA

  • 1997-1999, Beckman Foundation Young Investigator

  • 1993-1995, National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship

  • 1987-1990, National Science Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship

Service

  • 2014-present, Faculty Representative, Safety Committee

  • 2012-present, Faculty Representative, Graduate Advisory Committee

  • 2012-present, Faculty Representative, Chemistry Awards Committee

  • 2006-present, Faculty Representative, Undergraduate Curriculum/Affairs Committee

  • 2008-2010, Department Representative, Science Faculty Council

  • 2009, Gaussian Funding, Licensing, and Distribution

Professional associations

  • Member, American Chemical Society

  • Member, Canadian Society for Chemistry

Teaching*

  • CHEM 123 - General Chemistry 2
    • Taught in 2025
  • CHEM 212 - Structure and Bonding
    • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
  • CHEM 214 - Biological Inorganic Chemistry
    • Taught in 2026
  • CHEM 310 - Transition Element Compounds and Inorganic Materials
    • Taught in 2025
  • CHEM 794 - Master's Seminar
    • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.