Marcel Drabbels

Prof. Marcel Drabbels is a Titular Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Basic Sciences and the Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering. He leads the Laboratory of Molecular Nanodynamics (LND), where his research focuses on the spectroscopy and dynamics of nanoscale systems, particularly using ultrafast lasers and time-resolved electron microscopy.

• Academic Rank: Professor
• Appointment: Senior Scientist (1998), Promoted to Titular Professor (2021)
• Previous Positions: Free University of Amsterdam, FOM Institute, University of California Santa Barbara

His research interests include ultrafast molecular dynamics, helium nanodroplets, photodissociation, quantum solvation, and cryogenic electron microscopy. He employs advanced laser and electron imaging techniques to study real-time processes in isolated molecular systems and quantum fluids.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in microsecond time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy, where his group develops methods to flash-melt and revitrify cryo-samples to capture dynamic structural changes in biomolecules and materials. Other key themes include ultrafast electron diffraction, nanoplasma dynamics, and quantum fluid effects in doped helium clusters.

Scientific Awards:

• Prix Polysphères for excellence in teaching (2008)
• Fellowship from the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences (1997)

Advising: Prof. Drabbels has supervised numerous PhD students, including A. D. B. Clark, V. Oliver Álvarez de Lara, X. Zhang, and E. Loginov. His lab fosters interdisciplinary research at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and structural biology. While no specific grant information is listed, his sustained output suggests active funding support for instrumentation and experimental programs in ultrafast science.

Laboratory: The Laboratory of Molecular Nanodynamics (LND) operates at the forefront of time-resolved imaging, combining laser spectroscopy with electron microscopy to probe dynamics at the nanoscale.