Daniel L.M. Suess

Dr. Daniel L.M. Suess is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He holds a B.A. in Chemistry and English from Williams College (2007) and a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology (2013), under Prof. Jonas Peters. After postdoctoral research with Prof. R. David Britt at UC Davis, he joined MIT in 2017.

His research focuses on the chemical mechanisms of iron-sulfur clusters in biological and synthetic systems. Key areas include catalytic functions of these clusters in processes like nitrogen fixation, photosynthesis, and DNA repair. The Suess Lab bridges synthetic and biological chemistry to study cluster bonding, reactivity, and their roles in shaping Earth’s molecular composition. Techniques include isotopic labeling, spectroscopy, and computational modeling.

Recent work explores reaction mechanisms of iron-sulfur clusters in nitrogenase cofactors and synthetic analogs, with implications for sustainable catalysis. Group members (Ph.D., master’s, and undergraduate students, plus postdocs) contribute to projects on cluster assembly, site-specific labeling, and catalytic activity. Collaborations span institutions like Harvard, Princeton, and UC Berkeley.

Advising includes over 15 students and postdocs, many moving to industry or academia. The lab is supported by grants focusing on biogeochemical cycles and synthetic bio-inspired catalysts. Future directions aim to expand understanding of cluster-based catalytic systems and their environmental applications.