Rate My Professor Dennis Hore

Dennis Hore is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Victoria, with an affiliation in the Department of Computer Science. He earned a BSc from McMaster University and a PhD from Queen’s University, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Oregon. His areas of expertise include nonlinear optics, vibrational spectroscopy of surfaces, and community drug checking. Hore’s research examines the interplay between adsorbed molecules, interfacial solvent, and solid surface structures, with particular focus on how protein conformation changes upon adsorption to hydrophobic surfaces and the molecular features driving such changes. This work supports the development of biomaterials including implants and biosensors through combined experimental and theoretical approaches, often employing sum-frequency generation spectroscopy.

Hore also develops technologies for community-based drug checking to address challenges in the unregulated drug supply, including methods for rapid and accurate determination of sample composition and potency amid the opioid overdose crisis. He participates in interdisciplinary projects involving chemistry and social work on substance use research. Hore has received the Ehor Boyanowsky Academic of the Year Award from CUFA BC and the Research Impact Award as part of the 2025 REACH Awards at UVic. His scholarly output includes numerous publications in physical chemistry and related fields, with citations exceeding 4,000.