Mario P. Wiesenfeldt

Dr. Mario P. Wiesenfeldt is an independent research group leader at Ruhr-Universität Bochum and the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, affiliated with the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV. His laboratory focuses on developing synthetic organic methodologies using photoredox catalysis and radical intermediates to address challenges in medicinal chemistry.

Education:

• PhD in Organic Chemistry (WWU Münster, 2015–2019)
• M.Sc. Chemistry (Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, California Institute of Technology)
• B.Sc. Chemistry (Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg)

Research Interests: Dr. Wiesenfeldt's work integrates physical organic chemistry with synthetic methodology, emphasizing solvent effects, radical stability, and photoredox activation. Key areas include:

• Development of bioisosteres for drug discovery
• Stereoselective hydrogenation of (hetero)arenes
• Mechanistic studies of radical intermediates
• Sustainable catalysis under mild conditions

Publication Trends: His recent work demonstrates a strong focus on photoredox-mediated transformations (2023–2024), expanding into medicinal chemistry applications like cubane bioisosteres. Earlier publications (2017–2020) established expertise in enantioselective hydrogenation and fluoroarene chemistry.

Awards and Honors:

• Thieme Chemistry Journals Award (2022)
• Liebig Scholarship, Fonds der Chemischen Industrie (2021)
• GDCH Prize for university innovation (2021)
• Leopoldina Postdoctoral Scholarship (2019)
• WWU Dissertation Prize (2018)
• Evonik Prize (2018)

Research Group: Leads the Wiesenfeldt Lab at ZEMOS (Centre for Molecular Spectroscopy), supervising four PhD students. The lab utilizes state-of-the-art facilities for organic synthesis and collaborates with RESOLV for solvation science studies.