Charles C. L. McCrory
University of Michigan
Professor of Chemistry
Professor of Macromolecular Science and Engineering
Associate Chair of Graduate Education, Department of Chemistry

Charles C. L. McCrory is a Professor of Chemistry, Professor of Macromolecular Science & Engineering, and Associate Chair of Graduate Education in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Michigan (UM). He earned dual B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics in 2004 from Indiana University, Bloomington, where he was a Wells Scholar conducting research with Prof. George E. Ewing. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2010 from Stanford University under the mentorship of Prof. Christopher E. D. Chidsey, and he conducted his postdoctoral studies with Prof. Jonas C. Peters at the California Institute of Technology. In 2011, Prof. McCrory joined the research staff at the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP), an Energy Innovation Hub of the US Department of Energy dedicated to developing integrated solar fuels technology. In 2015, he left JCAP to join the faculty at the University of Michigan, where his research focuses on using electrochemistry to convert industrial waste chemicals into value-added fuels and products.
     Prof. McCrory is a dedicated mentor and teacher who has instructed over 3,500 students at UM and has mentored over 50 graduate, undergraduate, and high school students in his research group. In his research group, he has established a reputation for successfully mentoring researchers by establishing an inclusive group atmosphere based on shared values of hard work, scientific integrity, mutual respect, and collaboration. Undergraduate researchers are a core component of his research group, and every year he serves as a faculty mentor in the D-Rise program at UM which sponsors high school students from Detroit and surrounding areas for paid summer research internships in chemistry labs. In his department, he has been instrumental in founding and supporting student groups that are focused on promoting inclusive communities for students. He also has worked closely with other instructors and stakeholders to restructure the general chemistry course at UM to decrease “gatekeeping” and refocus the course curriculum on conceptual knowledge development. More broadly, Prof. McCrory is a strong advocate for democratizing science through increasing science and energy literacy, including constructing a museum exhibit on renewable energy storage in partnership with the UM Museum of Natural History and speaking with public audiences in local and national venues.
     Prof. McCrory continuously strives to promote an inclusive environment that welcomes people from all backgrounds to participate in the scientific enterprise, and to empower scientists in his research group, department, university, and community at all career stages so they can thrive.