Principal Investigator
Ryan M.
Stolley
Associate Director — Science Research Initiative
Adjunct Assistant Professor — Chemistry · Physics & Astronomy
University of Utah
Associate Director — Science Research Initiative
Adjunct Assistant Professor — Chemistry · Physics & Astronomy
University of Utah
Ryan M. Stolley is Associate Director of the Science Research Initiative (SRI) and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Utah. His expertise spans synthetic chemistry broadly, with a particular emphasis on organometallic chemistry and the design of new organic reaction methodology.
Ryan completed his PhD in organometallic chemistry at the University of Utah, developing novel nickel- and palladium-catalyzed reactions for N-heterocycle formation. His doctoral work — conducted in the Louie Group — produced significant contributions to the understanding of nickel(0)-NHC catalysis, including the discovery and characterization of key η¹-bound nitrile intermediates.
Following his PhD, Ryan joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) as a postdoctoral fellow, where he pivoted to electrochemical hydrogen oxidation catalysis using earth-abundant nickel bis(diphosphine) complexes. This work added electrocatalysis and energy storage chemistry to his already broad skill set.
Ryan has been deeply committed to science policy and public engagement throughout his career. He served as an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow and worked as a Program Manager for the Utah Climate Action Network, developing climate messaging, public engagement programs, and coalition-building efforts across Utah — a coal-producing state that presents unique and important challenges for climate communication.
He has also served at the U.S. Department of Energy, contributing to solar deployment policy and energy equity programming, including co-managing the National Community Solar Partnership.
Ryan is Principal Chemist at GlycoSurf, Inc., a specialty chemical company and contract research organization developing glycolipid biosurfactants from renewable feedstocks. He leads its synthetic and process chemistry, from route development and scale-up to structure–activity studies that link glycolipid structure to surfactant performance, and helps guide the company’s R&D and intellectual-property strategy. GlycoSurf is an affiliate member of the Critical Materials Innovation Hub, a DOE Energy Innovation Hub.
Through Molecular Design Studio, Ryan advises companies, start-ups and research organizations on synthetic strategy, research-program development, technical review and science communication. He also leads a student consulting program in which advanced undergraduates provide synthetic support to university laboratories and outside partners. Students gain hands-on experience with both the science and the business of consulting, from scoping a project to delivering results to a client. Learn about consulting →
Ryan teaches courses in the Department of Chemistry with an emphasis on Organic Chemistry. He is known for high expectations and genuine investment in student success — making himself consistently available and offering structured opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery. As Associate Director of the SRI, Ryan directs the undergraduate research program, leads the laboratory safety program, and manages external partnerships — connecting students, faculty, and industry collaborators to advance the SRI's mission of hands-on scientific discovery.
University of Utah — Salt Lake City, UT. Leading SRI operations and conducting research in organometallic chemistry and catalysis.
University of Utah — Collaborating with the Louie Group and Joel Miller Group on organometallic synthesis and methodology.
Washington D.C. — Placing science expertise in federal policy contexts, with work in energy policy at the U.S. Department of Energy (solar soft costs, energy equity).
Salt Lake City, UT — Building coalitions and developing science-based climate communication strategies in a politically challenging environment.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA — Nickel electrocatalysis for hydrogen oxidation with Monte Helm (Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis).
University of Utah — Doctoral research with Prof. Janis Louie on Ni- and Pd-catalyzed N-heterocycle forming reactions.
