Jonathan V. Sweedler

Jonathan V. Sweedler is the James R. Eiszner Family Endowed Chair in Chemistry and a Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, within the Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. He is also affiliated with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Beckman Institute, Bioengineering Department, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Center for Advanced Study, Micro and Nanotechnology Lab, and Carle Illinois College of Medicine. His research focuses on analytical neurochemistry, developing advanced mass spectrometry and microfluidic technologies to study cell-to-cell signaling in neural and microbial systems. Key areas include metabolomics, peptidomics, and understanding the roles of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in behavior, learning, and memory.

Education: B.S. in Chemistry (1983, UC Davis), Ph.D. in Chemistry (1989, University of Arizona), followed by an NSF postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford before joining Illinois in 1991. He previously served as Director of the School of Chemical Sciences (2012–2022) and Acting Head of the Department of Chemistry (2023–2024).

Research interests span analytical neurochemistry, microbial signaling, and the development of novel methodologies for single-cell and subcellular analysis. His lab has pioneered MALDI mass spectrometry imaging and nanoscale sampling techniques. Current projects include studying neuropeptide dynamics in animal models, microbial communication in biofilms, and the gut-brain axis.

Publications highlight breakthroughs in single-cell lipid profiling, neuropeptide discovery, and microbial signaling mechanisms. Awards include the Donald F. Hunt Award, Torbern Bergman Medal, and membership in the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Sweedler is Editor-in-Chief of Analytical Chemistry.

Notable collaborations include the UIUC Neuroproteomics and Neurometabolomics Center. He has mentored over 100 graduate students and postdocs, many of whom hold prominent academic and industry roles. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining chemistry, biology, and engineering to address fundamental questions in neurochemistry and microbiology.