For more detailed research summaries of our chemistry and
biochemistry faculty, as well as affiliated faculty, please visit our website.
Physical Chemistry
Jeffrey Cina
My graduate-student collaborators and I conduct physical chemistry research on the theory of ultrafast molecular spectroscopy. We develop theories and perform computer simulations of time-resolved laser measurements to clarify their molecular-level information content and to reveal the quantum dynamics underlying observed signals.
Marina Guenza
The Guenza lab studies theoretical modeling and classical simulations of complex systems: protein motion and binding, phase equilibria in polymer liquids, coarse-graining and multi scale modeling.
Andrew H. Marcus
The Marcus lab studies biophysical studies of nucleic acids and protein-DNA interactions by innovations in nonlinear and single-molecule spectroscopy.
George Nazin
Research in the Nazin group is focused on the atomic-scale understanding of fundamental physical processes in nanoscale materials and devices. To make this research possible, the group is developing state-of-the-art instrumentation with unique capabilities for spectroscopic characterization of matter at the atomic scale.
James Prell
The Prell lab focuses on fundamentals of state-of-the-art native ion mobility-mass spectrometry, including determination of structures and energetics for very large and heterogeneous biomolecular complexes that resist crystallization, as well as applications to structural biology, pharmaceuticals, and polymers.
Geraldine Richmond
Our research is aimed at understanding environmentally and technologically important processes that occur at aqueous surfaces using laser-based methods and theoretical computational studies.
Julia Widom
The Widom Lab does research at the interface of physical chemistry and molecular biology, studying the mechanisms by which RNA folds into biologically active structures. We use a variety of spectroscopic techniques such as ultrafast laser spectroscopy and single-molecule microscopy, which allow us to probe the structure of the RNA and to monitor it as it switches between different structures.
Cathy Wong
The Wong lab designs and performs spectroscopies in situ during materials formation and degradation to better understand the mechanisms of these processes and how they affect the properties of materials used in LEDs, photovoltaics, and other optoelectronics.
Organic, Inorganic, Materials Chemistry
Shannon Boettcher
The Boettcher laboratory uses materials synthesis, characterization, modelling, and electrochemical characterization to study and design materials and devices for energy conversion and storage.
Carl Brozek
The Brozek lab studies the synthetic and physical inorganic chemistry of low-density and high surface area organic-inorganic materials. Current focus is on structural dynamics, electron transfer, and colloidal nanocrystals of porous frameworks.
Amanda Cook-Sneathen
Research in the Cook lab focuses on the development of new catalytic reactions using both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. We strategically design the molecular structure of the catalyst active site, which allows for structural precision and the eulication of reaction mechanisms and structure-activity relationships.
Vickie De Rose
The DeRose lab studies the amazing intersection of metal ions and biology, at the mechanistic level. We combine synthetic and biological approaches, and are currently intrigued with how platinum influences RNA processes in cells.
Michael Haley
The current research interests of the Haley Lab focus on the synthesis and properties of phenylacetylene-based molecular scaffolds for anion sensing and of organic semiconductors with pronounced antiaromatic and/or diradicaloid character
Christopher H. Hendon
The Hendon Materials Simulation lab is a materials theory group with interests in electronic structure – function relationships in molecules and materials.
Ramesh Jasti
Our research vision is to bridge target-oriented synthesis with carbon nanoscience. The overarching goal is to develop synthetic methods and strategies to prepare carbon nanostructures with the precision and tunability afforded by organic synthesis, and then to study the physical properties and applications of these unique materials and their derivatives.
Darren Johnson
Research in the DWJ Lab draws inspiration from challenges in environmental, biomedical, and sustainable chemistry, and we use supramolecular chemistry as a tool to explore a variety of problems in self-assembly, molecule/ion recognition, and inorganic materials synthesis.
David Johnson
Dave Johnson’s research is at the interface of chemistry and physics and at the forefront of materials research. His group has pioneered a new approach to the synthesis of extended solids that permits them to prepare families of new nanostructured and kinetically stable compounds.
Mike Pluth
Research in the Pluth lab focuses on developing and using chemical tools to investigate reactive sulfur species in biological systems. This work includes chemical biology, physical organic chemistry, and different spectroscopic methods.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry PhD students rotate with any of the faculty in the Institute of Molecular Biology.
See the full list of faculty here.
Scott Hansen
The Hansen lab investigates the mechanisms cells use to create dynamic spatial heterogeneity in signaling reactions that are orchestrated at the plasma membrane. We use a combination of biochemistry, cell biology, and computational modeling to understand how macromolecules self-organize on cellular membranes to drive symmetry breaking, polarization, and the generation of oscillatory wave patterns.
Mike Harms
The Harms lab studies how biophysics shapes protein evolution and vice versa using experimental and theoretical approaches. As a model system, we study the evolution of innate immune proteins.
Brad Nolen
The Nolen lab studies the molecular basis for regulation of the actin cytoskeleton using a variety of approaches, including x-ray crystallography, single molecule TIRF microscopy, and live cell imaging.
Kenneth Prehoda
The Prehoda Lab studies the biochemical mechanisms of asymmetric cell division, focusing on the neural stem cells of developing Drosophila. The lab combines cutting-edge imaging and biochemical reconstitution to understand how these cells polarize and segregate fate determinants.
