Julia Kalow

Julia Kalow is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Northwestern University. She leads the Kalow Research Group, focused on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and materials science. Her work emphasizes materials-inspired reaction discovery and reactivity-driven materials design, particularly involving photoresponsive polymers and dynamic covalent bonds. Key applications include optoelectronics, sustainable polymers, and biomaterials.

Dr. Kalow earned her B.A. from Columbia University (2008) and Ph.D. from Princeton University (2013). She holds affiliations with the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute (CLP), International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN), and the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy. Her lab is located in the Technological Institute at Northwestern (Tech M292).

Her research explores structure-property relationships in dynamic materials, including hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties and vitrimeric elastomers. Recent advancements include photocontrolled stiffness modulation and adaptive thermosetting networks. Trainees in her group gain expertise in method development, polymer synthesis, and materials characterization.

Notable honors include the DOE Early Career Award (2023), ACS Pure Chemistry Award (2023), and Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2021). Her work has been recognized for advancing sustainable polymer science and enabling next-generation materials with tunable functionalities.

Current projects focus on light-directed polymerization, recyclable plastics, and responsive materials systems. The lab collaborates with industry partners like the Dow Chemical Company, supported by grants from NSF, DOE, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.