Alexis D. Ostrowski

Alexis D. Ostrowski is a Professor and Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), affiliated with the Center for Photochemical Sciences and the Center for Great Lakes and Watershed Studies. Her research focuses on designing photoresponsive materials using metal-coordination chemistry for environmental and biomedical applications.

• Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara (2010)
• B.A., Occidental College (2004)

Research interests span photochemistry, materials science, and coordination chemistry, with a focus on metal-ion interactions in polymers and biogeochemical cycles. Key applications include sustainable bioplastics, wastewater treatment, and nutrient cycling in coastal systems like the Great Lakes.

Her 15 most recent publications highlight trends in Fe(III)-polysaccharide hydrogels, vanadium-coordination materials, and nitric oxide delivery systems. These works emphasize light-responsive degradation, mechanical property tuning, and environmental sustainability.

• NSF-CAREER award (2017)
• BGSU Outstanding Early Career award (2018)
• Thomas Kinstle Professorship (2020-2023)

Dr. Ostrowski has advised 8 graduate students (PhD/MS) and 12 undergraduate researchers, many of whom now work in academia or industry (e.g., Johnson & Johnson, Intel). Her lab collaborates with the Center for Great Lakes and Watershed Studies and the Furgal Materials Workshop, prioritizing interdisciplinary collaboration and diverse perspectives in materials research.