Klaas Wynne

Professor Klaas Wynne serves as Chair in Chemical Physics within the School of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow. His research group, the Ultrafast/slow Chemical Physics group, investigates fundamental phenomena in chemical physics using advanced spectroscopic techniques, particularly terahertz and ultrafast methods. His work spans both fundamental physical chemistry and applied biomedical research, with a notable focus on malaria detection applications in recent years.

Wynne's research interests encompass several interconnected areas including liquid-liquid transitions, nucleation and crystallization phenomena, water dynamics in various environments, molecular glasses, and the application of spectroscopic techniques to biomedical problems. His group has pioneered approaches using mid-infrared spectroscopy combined with machine learning for malaria vector surveillance and diagnosis, demonstrating significant translational impact. The research combines fundamental physical chemistry with practical applications, particularly in global health contexts.

Analysis of Wynne's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals three major research thrusts: (1) fundamental studies of nucleation processes and amorphous materials, showing that glassy solute aggregates dominate solution structure even before supersaturation; (2) investigations into water dynamics and the Hofmeister effect, particularly how cations impact hydrogen bonding and clustering; and (3) the development and refinement of spectroscopic methods combined with machine learning for malaria surveillance, including mosquito age grading, species identification, and infection detection. These research areas demonstrate both depth in fundamental chemical physics and breadth in practical applications.

Wynne leads a collaborative research group with strong international partnerships, particularly evident in the malaria-related work which involves researchers from multiple continents. His team works at the intersection of physical chemistry, spectroscopy, and biomedical applications, developing novel methodologies that bridge fundamental science and real-world health challenges. The group maintains strong connections with both academic collaborators and potential end-users of their diagnostic technologies in malaria-endemic regions.