Her research involves synthesizing small-molecule mimics of the active sites of metalloproteins, in order to investigate how cysteinates influence the function of non-heme iron enzymes, and the mechanism of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC).
[3] She then moved to Harvard University for graduate studies, and there she continued her work on iron-sulfur clusters with Prof. Richard H.
[10][11] Kovacs began her independent research career in 1988 when she joined the University of Washington as an assistant professor.
[13] Non-heme iron enzymes are known to promote biological reactions, but the mechanisms by which cysteinates impact their function are not well understood.
Through synthesis of organic molecules with a variety of different molecular frameworks, Kovacs investigates their structure-property relationships and the reactivity of the resulting transition-metal complexes.