Mathias Senge

Mathias Senge is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin, where he has held the Chair of Organic Chemistry since 2005. He is also a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München (TUM-IAS) since 2020, and previously served as an August-Wilhelm Scheer Visiting Professor at TUM in 2018. His research focuses on porphyrins, tetrapyrroles, and their applications in photochemistry, photobiology, and photomedicine.

Dr. Senge's educational background includes:

• Undergraduate studies in chemistry and biochemistry at Freiburg, Amherst, Marburg, and Lincoln
• Diplom-Chemiker from Philipps Universität Marburg (1986)
• PhD in plant biochemistry with Prof. Horst Senger in Marburg (1989)
• Habilitation in Organic Chemistry at Freie Universität Berlin (1996)

Professor Senge's research spans multiple areas of chemistry with a particular emphasis on the synthesis and properties of porphyrins and related tetrapyrrole compounds. His work in synthetic organic chemistry has led to innovations in hydrocarbon scaffold molecules including triptycenes and cubanes. In bio(in)organic chemistry, he has made significant contributions to understanding porphyrin chemistry and its biological implications. His medicinal chemistry research focuses on photodynamic therapy and imaging techniques. Senge's work in photobiology connects to natural photosynthesis processes, while his crystallography research examines structure-function relationships. More recently, he has expanded into material science applications including photonics materials and 2D nanostructures, as well as exploring the history and philosophy of photochemistry.

Analysis of Professor Senge's recent publications reveals a strong focus on molecular engineering of porphyrin systems, with particular attention to conformational control, symmetry properties, and applications in materials science. His work bridges fundamental chemical principles with practical applications in photomedicine, quantum computing, and nanotechnology. The interdisciplinary nature of his research is evident in collaborations spanning chemistry, physics, materials science, and medical applications.

Among his notable scientific achievements:

• Hans Fischer Senior Fellow, Institute for Advanced Study, TUM (2020)
• Laboratory Team of the Year award for 'Senge Group' from the Irish Laboratory Awards (2020)
• August-Wilhelm Scheer Visiting Professor, TUM (2018)
• KIT International Collaborator Award (2018)
• Election to Professorial Fellow at Trinity College Dublin (2006)
• Science Foundation Ireland Research Professorship (2005-2009)
• Heisenberg-Fellowship of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (1997-2002)

Professor Senge has secured significant research funding throughout his career, including a prestigious Science Foundation Ireland Research Professorship from 2005-2009. His research group, the 'Senge Group,' was recognized with the Laboratory Team of the Year award in 2020. He has established international collaborations with institutions including Technische Universität München, Karlsruhe Institut für Technologie, and various research groups across Europe. His work has resulted in over 370 publications in the area of organic chemistry, porphyrins and photosciences.

The Senge Group at Trinity College Dublin operates as a vibrant research team focused on molecular engineering of porphyrin systems. Their work spans synthetic chemistry, materials science, and photomedicine applications. The group has developed expertise in conformational control of porphyrins, molecular symmetry analysis, and applications of porphyrin chemistry in quantum information science. Their research has implications for photodynamic therapy, molecular electronics, and nanotechnology.