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Richard Mathies is a Professor at the University of California, Berkeley in the College of Chemistry. His research focuses on physical and biophysical bioanalytical chemistry, developing modern laser-based spectroscopic techniques to study excited-state reaction dynamics in photoactive proteins and to create novel microfabricated chemical and biochemical analysis devices for terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications. Mathies is known for his work on ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy and reaction dynamics, particularly using resonance Raman vibrational spectroscopy to investigate photochemical reaction dynamics in biological systems such as rhodopsins. He has further contributed to bioanalytical chemistry with the development of high-performance biochemical analysis methods and microfabricated lab-on-a-chip devices. His work played a significant role in advancing high-throughput DNA sequencing, which contributed to the sequencing of the human genome. Additionally, Mathies has developed analytical systems for planetary exploration, such as the Mars Organic Analyzer, aimed at detecting bio-signatures and potential extraterrestrial life in the solar system.
University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA
Teaching and conducting research in Chemistry.
University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA
Continued engagement in research and mentorship after formal retirement.
The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.