faculty

Stephen Contakes, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Chemistry
(805) 565-7153

Office Location

Whittier Science 218 (inside WS 216)

Office Available

Monday 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
Thursday 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Friday 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Please email or text me to set up an appointment outside these hours. In addition, when I am not teaching or in a meeting I am often in my office. If you stop by, I will make time for you if I can. 

Specialization(s)

Inorganic biochemistry

Research Interests
  • Inorganic biochemistry
  • Transition metal chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Biophysical chemistry
Biography/Details

Dr. Contakes earned his doctorate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign after completing undergraduate degrees in chemistry and chemical engineering at Lehigh University. After subsequent postdoctoral research in bioinorganic and biophysical chemistry at Caltech, he taught at Azusa Pacific University for one year before arriving at Westmont. At Westmont he teaches courses in inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry as well as a liberal arts chemistry course for nonmajors.  His research, published in more than a dozen scientific journals, involves the synthesis of molecular assemblies and light-driven electron transfer catalysts for water remediation applications. He and his wife have three sons.