Mark S. Wrighton was elected the 14th chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis in 1995 and served as its chief executive officer until May 31, 2019. In the years following his appointment, the university made significant progress in student quality, campus improvements, resource development, curriculum and international reputation.
In addition to his many accomplishments as a university administrator, Wrighton is the author or co-author of more than 300 articles published in professional and scholarly journals, and he holds 16 patents. He has research interests in the areas of transition metal catalysis, photochemistry, surface chemistry, molecular electronics and in photoprocesses at electrodes.
Principal objectives of his research have been to elucidate the basic principles underlying the conversion of solar energy to chemical fuels and electricity, to discern new catalysts and ways of making them, to understand chemistry at interfaces, and to provide the knowledge base for development of new electro-chemical devices. Wrighton has lectured widely on his research work and has given more than 40 named lectureships at distinguished colleges and universities in the United States and other countries.
For more information, visit Mark Stephen Wrighton's Chancellor profile.
