William Tolman

William Tolman

Vice Dean of Research and Entrepreneurship
Professor of Chemistry
William Greenleaf Eliot Professor of Chemistry
PhD, University of California, Berkeley
research interests:
  • Inorganic, biological, and polymer chemistry
    View All People

    contact info:

    mailing address:

    • Washington University
    • CB 1134
    • One Brookings Dr.
    • St. Louis, MO 63130
    image of book cover

    William B. Tolman's work focuses on using inorganic, biological, and polymer chemistry to address important problems related to human health and the environment.

    Current research in his group emphasizes the use of synthetic chemistry to unravel how copper-containing enzymes function and developing new ways to prepare biorenewable and sustainable polymers. His team has published more than 200 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and he is a fellow of both the American Chemical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is also editor-in-chief of the American Chemical Society journal Inorganic Chemistry.

    Before coming to Washington University in January 2018, Tolman spent 27 years at the University of Minnesota, where he was the Distinguished McKnight University Professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry (2009-2017).

    Publications

    Honors and Awards

    American Chemical Society Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Inorganic Chemistry, 2017

    Charles E. Bowers Teaching Award (College of Science & Engineering, University of Minnesota), 2012

    Fellow of the American Chemical Society, 2010

    Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2006

    Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Research Award (@Technical University of Munich), 2004

    Research Award, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, 2004

    Buck-Whitney Medal (American Chemical Society, Eastern New York Section), 2001

    Distinguished McKnight University Professorship (University of Minnesota), 2000

    George W. Taylor Award for Excellence in Research (University of Minnesota), 1998

    Camille & Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, 1994-1999

    National Young Investigator Award (National Science Foundation), 1993-1998

    Bush Sabbatical Supplement Award (University of Minnesota), 9/96-6/97

    Visiting Professorship, Miller Institute for Research (University of California, Berkeley), 1/97-5/97

    Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship, 1994-1996 

    Searle Scholar Award (Chicago Community Trust), 1992-1995

    McKnight-Land Grant Professorship (University of Minnesota), 1992-1994

    George W. Taylor Career Development Award (University of Minnesota), 1994

    Postdoctoral Fellowship (American Cancer Society), 1988-1990

    Postdoctoral Fellowship (National Institutes of Health), 1987-1988

    W.R. Grace Fellowship (University of California, Berkeley), 1984-85

    University Fellowship (University of California, Berkeley), 1983-84

    University Honors (Wesleyan University), 1983

    Phi Beta Kappa (Wesleyan University), 1983

    Sigma Xi (Wesleyan University), 1983

    Analytical Chemistry Award, American Chemical Society (Wesleyan University), 1982

    in the news:

    Tolman named vice dean of research and entrepreneurship

    Tolman named vice dean of research and entrepreneurship

    How to write winning grant proposals

    How to write winning grant proposals

    Communicating science with empathy and intention

    Communicating science with empathy and intention

    Metalloenzyme mastery

    Metalloenzyme mastery

    Read more news