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Athina AnastasakiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Controlled Radical Polymerization
• +3 more

Athina Anastasaki serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. She earned her PhD in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Warwick under Professor Dave Haddleton, receiving the Jon Weaver Award for the best PhD thesis in Polymer Chemistry in the UK. Her postdoctoral career included a joint Monash-Warwick appointment and research at UC Santa Barbara with Professor Craig Hawker, supported by an Elings fellowship and Global Marie Curie Fellowship. Her academic background includes: PhD in Polymer Chemistry, University of Warwick Dr. Anastasaki's research specializes in controlled radical polymerization techniques, self-assembly of polymeric materials, polymerization mechanisms, and synthesis of architecturally complex materials. Her work aims to develop precision polymerization methods for creating advanced functional materials with tailored properties. Notable recognitions include: Jon Weaver Award for the best PhD thesis in Polymer Chemistry in the United Kingdom Elings fellowship Global Marie Curie Fellowship She actively contributes to scholarly publishing as editorial board member for Polymer Chemistry and advisory board member for Materials Horizons and Chemical Science. Her research has been funded through competitive fellowships including the Elings and Marie Curie awards, though current grant details beyond these are not specified in the source text.

Derek PattonView profile

Associate Professor

• Polymer Chemistry
• Polymer Synthesis
• Polymer Surfaces
• +7 more

Dr. Derek Patton is an Associate Professor at the School of Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Southern Mississippi . His work focuses on advanced polymeric materials, particularly functional surfaces and sustainable polymers. Education: B.S. in Chemistry (2000), Jacksonville State University M.S. in Chemistry (2002), University of Alabama at Birmingham Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry (2006), University of Houston Research Interests span polymer synthesis , degradable materials , and surface engineering , with applications in anti-wetting , anti-fouling , and bioactive systems . His group develops functional polymers for sustainable solutions and antimicrobial platforms. Scientific Awards NSF CAREER Award (2011) USM Junior Faculty Research Award (2011) College of Science and Technology Faculty Research Award (2015) Laboratory Affiliation : Thames Polymer Science Research Center (PSRC), Hattiesburg, University of Southern Mississippi.

• Nanomedicine
• Cancer Therapy
• Metal-Based Chemotherapeutics
• +3 more

Quim Peña is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging (RWTH Aachen University). He obtained his PhD in Chemistry from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain) and Aix-Marseille Université (France) in 2019, focusing on metal-based chemotherapeutics. Current research focuses on nanomedicine for enhanced drug delivery in cancer therapies Specializes in polymeric micelles and prodrug synthesis Recent work involves RGD-coated microbubbles and ultrasound-mediated delivery Contributed to 89Zr-radiolabeled micelle development for personalized breast cancer treatment His publications (2021-2025) emphasize polymer-drug conjugates , multidrug delivery systems , and theranostic applications . Collaborative projects include collaborations with Twan Lammers, Fabian Kiessling, and Josbert Metselaar. 2025: Hydrophobic ion pairing for micelle drug co-loading 2025: Multidrug micelles for brain tumor treatment 2024: RGD-coated microbubbles for blood-brain barrier delivery 2023: Transformative materials for interfacial drug delivery Scientific recognition includes the 2025 CRS Award for best short talk . His work targets cancer nanomedicine with emphasis on side-effect reduction through advanced delivery systems.

Julian CooperView profile

Assistant Professor

• Chemical Reactivity in Materials
• Materials Science
• Mechanics of Materials
• +3 more

Julian Cooper is an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Chemistry, focusing on developing novel chemical reactivity in materials at the intersection of chemistry, materials science, and mechanics. His research addresses global challenges in sustainability, energy storage, and materials performance through interdisciplinary approaches. Education: B.S. in Chemistry from Rice University (2014), Ph.D. in Chemistry from MIT (2019), Beckman Institute Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2019-2024). Research Interests: Combines chemistry and mechanics to create reprocessable thermosets, optimize polymerization reactions, and explore scalable solutions for material deconstruction. Scientific Awards: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship recipient. Students: Advises graduate student Katie Chism and undergraduate Ziang Zhao. The Cooper Group's recent publications focus on polymerization mechanisms, sustainable materials, and enzyme inhibition. Their work emphasizes practical applications in chemical recycling, predictive modeling for thermosets, and catalytic innovations. The lab actively recruits students and has established infrastructure with specialized glassware and instruments, supported by UW-Madison's master glassblower Tracy Drier.

Adrian FiggView profile

Assistant Professor

• Polymer Chemistry
• Chemical Biology
• Materials Science
• +5 more

Adrian Figg is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Virginia Tech's College of Science. His research focuses on developing advanced polymer architectures inspired by biological precision, with applications in disease study, sustainable materials, and recycling technologies. He completed his B.A. in Chemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2013), earned his Ph.D. from the University of Florida (2018), and conducted postdoctoral research at Northwestern University (2018–2021). Research interests include programmable polymer synthesis using controlled radical techniques, protein-polymer conjugates for therapeutics, and stimuli-responsive materials. His work bridges organic chemistry, materials science, and biological systems to address challenges in healthcare and sustainability. The Figg Group actively explores applications such as biodegradable plastics and targeted drug delivery systems. Education: B.A. in Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara (2013) Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Florida (2018) Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Northwestern University (2018–2021) Key awards include the ACS PMSE Division Future Faculty Scholar (2019) and the Weinberg Family Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020). His research has been published in high-impact journals like Journal of the American Chemical Society and Chemical Science . Advising and grants: While specific student names are not listed here, the Figg Group engages in collaborative research projects. Active collaborations include work on photopolymerization techniques and DNA-programmed materials. Lab and team information: Visit the Figg Group Website or Google Scholar for current projects and publications.

Weiwei LeiView profile

Professor

• Nanomaterial Synthesis
• Sustainable Water Solutions
• Energy Harvesting
• +4 more

Weiwei Lei is a full Professor and Australian Research Council Future Fellow at RMIT University's School of Science (STEM College). His research focuses on nanomaterials for sustainable water and energy solutions, with over 230 publications and $20M in grants. He leads interdisciplinary collaborations globally, mentoring 29 students and 6 postdocs. Research & Impact: Specializes in functional nanomaterials for energy conversion/storage and water purification. His work has garnered 500+ media mentions (BBC, ABC) and industry partnerships (e.g., UK Highways, AquaPure). Key contributions include nanomaterial synthesis routes and energy-water nexus solutions. Awards: ARC Future Fellowship (2022), DECRA (2014), TechConnect Innovation Award (2015). Leadership roles include Research Theme Leader and ERA Engineering Deputy Cluster Leader. Grants: Secured $12.2M as lead CI across ARC grants, IMCRC, and federal funding. Active in industry partnerships for applied research. Mentoring: Supervised 17 primary PhD/Master’s students, many now professors/industry leaders. Postdoc mentorship includes 2 ARC DECRAs. Labs/Teams: Leads initiatives like 'Plasma coating for sustainable future' and 'Advanced nanomaterials for energy harvesting'. Collaborates with global researchers (Asia/Europe/Americas) on 75% of publications.

Subha R. DasView profile

Associate Professor

• Organic Chemistry
• Nucleic Acids Chemistry
• Polymer Hybrids
• +5 more

Subha R. Das is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University's Mellon College of Science. His research focuses on nucleic acid-polymer biohybrids, nanobiotechnology, and automated science. He holds a Ph.D. from Auburn University (2000) and has been on the faculty since 2006. Key projects include engineering DNA/RNA nanostructures, developing click-chemistry tools for RNA labeling, and creating exosome-polymer hybrids for biomedical applications. His research interests span organic chemistry, biomaterials, and nanotechnology. Notable contributions include backbone-branched DNA/RNA design for precise nanostructure assembly and RNA lariat synthesis to study splicing mechanisms. He also pioneered the Kitchen Chemistry Sessions course, linking molecular gastronomy to chemistry education. Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry (Auburn University, 2000), M.S.C. in Chemistry (BITS Pilani, 1994), B.E. in Computer Science (BITS Pilani, 1994) Key Research Themes: Nucleic acid-polymer hybrids, automated polymer synthesis, RNA nanotechnology, biomaterials for drug delivery Recent Trends in Publications: Focus on ATRP-driven biohybrid systems, RNA functionalization, and exosome engineering His lab collaborates extensively with the Matyjaszewski group on controlled radical polymerization techniques and has developed novel methods for biomolecule-polymer integration. Research spans from fundamental nucleic acid chemistry to applied biomedical systems.

Joanna OrtylView profile

Professor

• Photoinitiators and photopolymerization
• Photochemistry of small molecules
• Fluorescent probes and sensors
• +6 more

Professor Joanna Ortyl works at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tadeusz Kościuszko Cracow University of Technology (Poland). She is also CEO and Co-owner of Photo HiTech Ltd., a company developing visible-light cationic photoinitiators since 2013. Her academic background includes: MSc in Plastics Technology (2007, Cracow University of Technology) PhD in Chemistry (2012, Cracow University of Technology) Habilitation in Chemical Engineering (2020, Cracow University of Technology) She has undertaken international research experiences including: Postdoctoral research at Münster University of Applied Sciences (Germany, 2012-2013) Visiting Professor at Université de Haute-Alsace (France, 2015, 2016, 2019) Master of Business Economics (Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, 2013) Her research focuses on practical applications of photochemistry in polymerization processes, including: Synthesis of visible-light photoinitiators for cationic polymerization Development of fluorescent probes for polymerization monitoring Two-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) through hybrid mechanisms 3D-VAT printing materials and technologies She holds over 30 patents and has received more than 50 scientific awards. Her grant portfolio includes: LIDER 471/L-4/2012 (2012-2016) UMO-2012/07/D/ST5/02300 (2012-2015) TEAM TECH/2016-2/15 (2018-2022) TANGO 2 - DZP/TANGO2/391/2016 (2017-2021) Her work bridges organic chemistry, materials science, and industrial applications in 3D printing and polymer coatings.

• Polymer Chemistry
• Smart Polymers
• Biological Interfaces
• +3 more

Peter Roth is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Organic/Polymer Chemistry at the University of Surrey's School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, part of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He also serves as the School's Postgraduate Research Director. Education: Roth earned his Dipl.-Chem. and Dr. rer. nat. in Chemistry, studying at the University of Mainz (Germany), the University of Massachusetts (USA), and Seoul National University (South Korea). His PhD (2009) focused on RAFT polymer end-group modification under Prof. Rudolf Zentel and Prof. Patrick Theato. He holds a pre-diploma in Psychology from Mainz University. Research Interests: His group specializes in designing smart polymers and nanomaterials. Key areas include: Polymer Chemistry: Controlled radical polymerization (RAFT, metal-catalyzed methods), multicomponent reactions, and click-type chemistries. Smart Polymers: Multi-responsive materials, UCST/UCST behavior, CO₂-responsive polymers, and metal ion-sensitive systems. Biological Interfaces: Protein bio-conjugation, non-toxic polymers, and antifouling materials. Nanoparticle Synthesis: Stimulus-triggered self-assembly, polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), and degradable nanomaterials. Labs & Facilities: His research is conducted in the Joseph Kenyon Laboratory, equipped with advanced facilities for polymer synthesis and characterization, including GPC, DLS, NMR, and spectroscopy tools. Awards: Received the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) in 2012.

Pamela PasettoView profile

Researcher

• Polymer Chemistry
• Natural Rubber
• Antibiofouling Materials
• +3 more

Pamela Pasetto is a researcher at Le Mans University’s Faculty of Sciences, affiliated with the IMMM laboratory (Institute of Molecules and Materials of Le Mans). Her career spans polymer chemistry, bio-based materials, and marine biotechnology, with a focus on natural rubber derivatization and antifouling/antimicrobial applications. PhD in Chemistry (Queen Mary, University of London) Master in Chemistry (Università La Sapienza, Rome) Her research involves: Blue Biotechnology : Marennine-like pigments (antimicrobial compounds from diatoms) under Horizon 2020’s GHANA project. Waste Valorization : Recycling tire-derived oligomers for polyurethane foams and coatings. Material Innovation : Developing bio-based polyurethanes, diblock/triblock copolymers, and photocurable coatings. Recent publications highlight advancements in natural rubber chemistry, biodegradable polymers, and marine-derived bioactives. Collaborations include institutions in Canada, Thailand, Ukraine, and France. Fulbright Scholar (University of Akron, 2011–2012) Scientific responsible for 4 postdocs (e.g., Valdemar, Bluedimary projects) She co-advises 7 PhD students and mentors master’s theses, working closely with labs like Mer, Molécules et Santé and Prince of Songkla University. Her work bridges polymer science, marine chemistry, and sustainable technology.

Reika KatsumataView profile

Assistant Professor

• Polymer Dynamics
• Nanoconfined Materials
• Interfacial Interactions
• +3 more

Reika Katsumata is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research focuses on establishing design rules for extremely confined soft/hard interfaces, bridging precise polymer synthesis with nanoscale material miniaturization. She investigates how extreme confinement ( B.Eng. & M.Eng., Tokyo Institute of Technology (2009, 2011) Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (2016) Her work employs fluorescence spectroscopy, rapid thermal annealing, and film-stress measurements to address challenges in nanocomposites, ultra-thin coatings, and 2D materials. Recent studies explore defect healing in graphene, polymer-assisted porous carbon synthesis, and interfacial control of ferroelectric capacitors. She received an NSF CAREER award in 2021 for her work on multi-scale polymer dynamics. Key trends in her publications include polymer dynamics under nanoconfinement, interfacial interactions in hybrid materials, and scalable fabrication methods like roll-to-roll processing. Her research has implications for electronics, energy systems, and sustainable materials. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2021)

Joel HooperView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Organic Synthesis
• Catalysis
• Polymer Chemistry
• +4 more

Dr. Joel Hooper is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Chemistry at Monash University. His research focuses on organic synthesis and catalysis, with applications in bioactive molecules, polymers, and nanomaterials. He leads projects in transition-metal and organocatalysis, polymer synthesis, and carbon nanomaterials. Hooper has secured funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and collaborates internationally on sustainable materials and catalytic methodologies. His expertise aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in sustainable industrial processes and responsible consumption. Hooper supervises PhD students in catalysis, polymer chemistry, and materials science, offering fully funded projects. He pioneered methods like decarboxylative radical polymerization and explored graphene as a catalyst for chiral chemistry. Key collaborations include work on vitrimer composites for defense applications and engineered enzymes for cyclic peptide synthesis. Hooper’s research outputs span journals like Angewandte Chemie , Chemical Communications , and Materials Today Chemistry . His lab develops novel synthetic pathways, emphasizing green chemistry and functional materials. He actively engages in research networks, including projects on thermoresponsive hydrogels and polymer-grafted nanocellulose.

• Polymer Chemistry
• Material Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• +3 more

Felix H. Schacher is a Full Professor at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena since 2015, previously serving as Junior Professor from 2010–2015. He holds a PhD from the University of Bayreuth (2009) and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Bristol (2009–2010). His research focuses on polymer self-assembly and applications in biomedicine, including polymer synthesis for membranes and hybrid materials. Awards include the Dr.-Hermann-Schnell-Fellowship (2013) and Carl-Duisberg Memorial Award (2020). Education: PhD in Chemistry, University of Bayreuth (2006–2009) Diploma in Chemistry, Universities of Bayreuth and Lund (2006) Research interests include controlled polymerization techniques, block copolymers, and polyampholytes for material design. His group develops smart polymers for drug delivery and biomedical sensors, leveraging techniques from free radical to ionic polymerization methods. Key projects include SPP 2332 PoP Project 10 on biophysical methods for quantifying parasite mechanics. Collaborations involve interdisciplinary teams across physics, biology, and engineering. His lab (www.jenano.uni-jena.de) explores length-scale self-assembly from nanometers to micrometers.

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Food Waste Reduction
• Plasma Processes
• +5 more

Associate Professor Bryan Coad leads a multidisciplinary research group at the University of Adelaide's School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, focusing on bioactive materials and food waste reduction. He serves as Research Director for the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, managing $66M in industry-government funding to halve Australia's food waste by 2030. His work spans biomaterials, plasma technologies, and antifungal coatings with over 40 publications and 10 grants. He has trained 35+ scientists and contributed to medical, environmental, and agricultural advancements. Current research includes plasma-activated water applications, bioplastic development, and fungal pathogen control via surface engineering. Research Themes: Food Waste Reduction, Biomaterial Surface Engineering, Plasma Chemistry Professional Roles: ASBTE President, Industry Collaboration Leader His lab actively hosts international students and industry partnerships, addressing challenges in food systems and biomedical devices. Recent work explores novel antifungal coatings and sustainable biorefining solutions.

Markus GalleiView profile

Professor

• Polymer Chemistry
• Stimuli-Responsive Materials
• Nanostructured Materials
• +9 more

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Gallei is a Full Professor of Polymer Chemistry at Saarland University, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, where he leads the Gallei Lab. His research focuses on the development of nano-structured and stimuli-responsive polymeric materials inspired by natural hierarchical design principles. He holds a W3 professorship and is actively involved in interdisciplinary research bridging polymer chemistry, colloidal science, and self-assembly for advanced applications. His primary research interests include polymer chemistry , self-assembly of block copolymers , stimuli-responsive materials , smart membranes , photonic materials , and ceramic templating . His group develops novel synthetic strategies such as controlled radical polymerization and post-functionalization to create functional hybrid nanostructures. These materials are applied in fields like photonics , separation technologies , and energy storage . The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward redox-responsive systems , metallopolymer-based materials , 3D-printed structural colors , and environmental applications such as PFAS removal. The research combines fundamental polymer synthesis with applied materials engineering, emphasizing scalable and sustainable approaches. Reimund-Stadler-Prize donated by the GDCh (2017) Emerging Investigator 2016, RSC Journal of Materials C Fond der Chemischen Industrie (2016) Emerging Investigator 2016, RSC Polymer Chemistry Fellowship Max-Buchner-Foundation (DECHEMA) (2015) Young Talents 2015, Polymer Science, Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics Prize of the Familie-Bottling-Foundation (2011) Honor for PhD Thesis (summa cum laude), TU Darmstadt (2010) Prize of the Foundation of the Ehemaligen des Deutschen Kunststoff-Instituts (2007) GDCh-Prize for Chemistry (Abitur) (2000) Markus Gallei has led a junior research group at TU Darmstadt and has been a visiting scientist at MIT. He advises students and collaborates extensively on interdisciplinary projects. His lab is supported by national and EU-level funding, particularly in the area of smart inorganic polymers. He is a member of the editorial board of Frontiers in Polymer Science (Colloids) and part of the EU network 'Smart Inorganic Polymers'. The Gallei Lab operates within a well-equipped research environment, focusing on the self-assembly of core-shell particles , melt-shear organization , and functional hybrid films . The group actively develops new methodologies for creating porous membranes , ceramic precursors , and stimuli-responsive opal films .