Professor Collman's research interests are broad and eclectic. These range from superconductivity through organometallic chemistry to bioinorganic chemistry. Over the past two decades his research has focused on the creation of functional synthetic analogs of oxygen binding/activating heme proteins such as myoglobin (for oxygen storage) and cytochrome c oxidase (the terminal enzyme in respiration). His synthetic mimics faithfully reproduce the function of these natural systems.

Professor Collman received BS and MS degrees from the University of Nebraska and his Ph. D. from the University of Illinois in 1958. After spending 8 years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Professor Collman moved to Stanford University, where he is currently Daubert Professor of Chemistry. Professor Collman has received several awards and honors. His fellowships include two Guggenheims, a Churchill, and an Erskine. He has been recognized by the following: the ACS California Section Award (1972), the ACS Award in Inorganic Chemistry (1975), California Scientist of the year (1983), Arthur C. Cope scholar (1986), the ACS Pauling Award (1990), the ACS Award for distinguished service to Inorganic Chemistry (1991), and the ACS Bader Award in Bioinorganic Chemistry (1997). Professor Collman was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (both in 1975). He has received two honorary degrees: Honorary Doctorate Universtiy of Nebraska (1988) and Docteur Honoris Causa, Univ. de Bourgone, France (1988). Professor Collman has also been recognized for his teaching at Stanford: a Distinguished Teaching Award (1981), the Allan V. Cox Medal (1988), and a Bing Fellowship Award (1996). Professor Collman has published over 300 research papers, two graduate texts in organometallic chemistry and a book about science intended for the general public: "Naturally Dangerous".