Michael Kienzler

Michael Kienzler serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Connecticut's Storrs Campus, where he leads research at the intersection of photochemistry and chemical biology. His work focuses on developing light-responsive molecular tools for biological applications.

Education:

• Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Berkeley
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley
• B.S. in Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Research Interests: Dr. Kienzler's group specializes in using light to induce reversible chemical changes through photoswitches, with primary emphasis on azobenzene-based ligands targeting cell-membrane proteins and ion channels. Their work integrates organic synthesis to engineer novel photoswitches with tailored photochemical properties, bridging fundamental photochemistry with biological applications in neural signaling and receptor modulation. Key methodologies include precision molecular design, photophysical characterization, and cellular assays.

Scientific Awards:

• No scientific awards mentioned in the provided text

Advising and Grants: The available documentation does not specify current advisees, grant funding, or sponsored research projects. His laboratory appears focused on foundational research in photoswitch development without disclosed external funding sources.

Labs and Teams: The Kienzler Research Group operates within UConn's Chemistry Department, maintaining specialized facilities for organic synthesis and photobiological experimentation. Their collaborative approach integrates chemical synthesis with cellular neuroscience techniques to develop optochemical tools for precise manipulation of biological systems.