Research in the Risko laboratory is inspired by complex synthetic materials and the desire to discover fundamental connections among the chemical and physical phenomena that determine their performance. With a focus on materials envisioned for carbon electronics, power generation and storage, and catalysis, we deliver distinctive, holistic physicochemical understanding of materials that spans molecular and nanostructure design, materials creation, and detailed descriptions of molecular and material electronic, redox, optical, and mechanical characteristics. Our universal vision for theoretical materials chemistry allows us to make critical connections across the materials pipeline that can be introduced into the design process to improve materials performance.