معرفی
Professor Derk Joester leads the Joester Group at Northwestern University's Department of Materials Science and Engineering. His research focuses on understanding the formation, properties, and degradation of mineralized tissues in both vertebrate and invertebrate organisms, with a particular emphasis on biomineralization mechanisms. He employs cutting-edge techniques such as atom probe tomography (APT), synchrotron X-ray microtomography, and machine learning-driven image segmentation to study materials like chiton radula teeth and human dental enamel.
Education:
- Ph.D. Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Switzerland (2000)
- M.Sc. Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Switzerland (1999)
- Fulbright Scholar, University of Tennessee (1994–1995)
- B.A. Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, Germany (1992)
Research Interests:
His group investigates the role of organic matrices in controlling mineralization, the dynamics of amorphous-to-crystalline transitions, and the application of bioinspired materials in fields like dentistry and additive manufacturing. Key projects include the Enamel Atlas initiative to map enamel structure across scales and the study of Sr sequestration in marine organisms for nuclear waste remediation.
Professional Recognition:
- Fellowships: Minerva, Weizmann Institute, ETH Zurich, Fulbright
- Awards: Dr. Nathorff-Einstein Award (1992), Fonds of the German Chemical Industry Award (1992)
Grants & Collaborations:
Current funding supports projects like the Enamel Atlas, bioengineering single-crystal growth, and Sr mineralization studies in Acantharea. Collaborators include institutions such as UCSF, UPenn, and the Forsyth Institute.
Labs & Teams:
The Joester Group hosts a multidisciplinary team, with ongoing projects in cryo-tomography, nanomaterials visualization, and computational modeling of biomineral systems.
