Elemér Vass

ELEMÉR VASS is an Associate Professor at the Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE). He specializes in chiroptical spectroscopy, peptide and protein structure analysis, and metal complex characterization. His research employs vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), Raman optical activity (ROA), and UV-visible spectroscopy to investigate molecular structures and conformational properties.

Professional Background: Born in 1965 in Târgu Mureș, Romania. Earned a Diploma in Chemical Engineering (1990) from Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca. Completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry at ELTE (1997, supervised by Dr. Ferenc Ruff). Served as a university assistant professor (1996–2001), then assistant professor (2001–2006), and has been an associate professor since 2006.

• Education: B.Sc./M.Sc., Babeş-Bolyai University (1985–1990)
• Ph.D., ELTE Doctoral School of Chemistry (1993–1996), TMB Scholar

Research Focus: Investigates spatial structures of peptides/peptidomimetics using FTIR, CD, VCD, and ROA. Determines absolute configurations via VCD, studies transition metal complexes, and explores nucleophilic reactions of hypervalent sulfur compounds. Collaborates internationally with institutions in Lyon, Kyushu, Leuven, Bielefeld, and Warsaw.

Teaching: Leads courses in Organic Spectroscopy (MSc Chemistry), Structural Analysis Instruments (MSc Chemistry), and Physical Organic Chemistry (PhD level). Manages laboratory practices in analytical chemistry and material structure testing.

Recognition: Recipient of the 1997 Kisfaludy Lajos Foundation Award and the 2003 Bolyai Memorial (MTA). Has published 102+ peer-reviewed articles, with a focus on spectroscopic methods and structural biology.

Grants & Collaborations: Holder of Bolyai scholarships (1999–2001, 2004–2005). Participated in DAAD-MÖB and MTA-PAS exchange programs. Research networks include universities in France, Japan, Belgium, and Poland.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Department of Organic Chemistry’s spectroscopy research group, focusing on chiroptical methods and peptide chemistry.