Our research is broadly focused on heterogeneous catalyst and process development for carbon dioxide utilization and hydrogen production reactions of contemporary interest, including CO2 hydrogenation, methane dry reforming, biomass gasification and methane pyrolysis. Major thrusts of our research program include (1) understanding and developing novel material architectures (e.g., core-shell catalysts and layered phyllosilicate precursors) for enhanced catalytic performance, and (2) designing and engineering catalytic membrane reactors that overcome conventional thermodynamic limitations by integrating reaction and product separation steps. We have also recently begun to explore photothermal, electrochemical and plasma-based approaches to lower the often-high operating temperature requirements typical of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions. Please read on for short summaries of some of our recent and ongoing projects.