Andrij Pich

Andrij Pich is a Professor for Functional and Interactive Polymers at RWTH Aachen University's Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry. Since 2009, he has held the Lichtenberg Professorship, and since 2019, he has also served as a part-time Professor for Bio-based Polymers at Maastricht University's Aachen-Maastricht Institute of Bio-Based Materials. His research group focuses on the synthesis of functional polymers and polymer colloids with diverse chemical structures and morphologies for creating interactive materials.

Prof. Pich's research interests center on the chemical design of macromolecules that respond to external stimuli, self-assemble, and degrade programmably. His expertise spans the synthesis of nano- and microgels for applications in catalysis, plant breeding, biomaterials, and coatings. His work draws inspiration from biological systems to create soft, interactive materials with active properties such as shape changes and structure recognition.

His publication record shows a strong focus on microgel synthesis, responsive materials, and bio-based polymers. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in asymmetric microgels, dendrimer nanogels for DNA delivery, hybrid biomaterials, and interfacial catalysis. His research spans fundamental polymer chemistry to applied biomaterials and agricultural science.

• 2018 Innovation Award of the BioRegions Germany
• 2009 Lichtenberg Professorship (Volkswagen Foundation)
• 2007 Georg Manecke Prize, German Chemical Society (GDCh)
• 2002 Young Scientist Award, Dresden Discussion Group for Business and Science

Prof. Pich supervises numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, working on diverse projects including EcoGuard, Oxyfilter, Polyampholyte Microgels, and Microgelzymes. His research group receives funding for developing functional polymers for applications ranging from medical treatments to sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.

The research group maintains multiple active projects focusing on microgel-based technologies for applications including rainproof delivery systems, antibacterial coatings, ice-repellent textiles, flame retardants, and tissue regeneration. These projects demonstrate the practical applications of his fundamental research in polymer science.