معرفی
Natalia B. Shustova serves as Peter and Bonnie McCausland Fellow, Hans Fischer Fellow, and Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of South Carolina's College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on sustainable energy materials, with laboratory facilities in GSRC 533 (office), GSRC 405, and GSRC 511.
Her research spans three core directions: (1) nanoscale morphology control in organic photovoltaics for solar cell efficiency enhancement; (2) light harvesting and energy transfer in photochromic self-assemblies for molecular switches/sensors; and (3) artificial biomimetic scaffolds. Students receive training in air-sensitive synthesis, X-ray crystallography, spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Recent publications reveal dominant themes in MOF/COF engineering, actinide chemistry, and stimuli-responsive materials, with emerging focus on nuclear waste applications and biomimetic systems.
- Russell Research Award 2024
- Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award (Humboldt Foundation) 2024
- Camille Dreyfus Teaching-Scholar Award 2019
- National Science Foundation Career Award 2016
- Alfred P. Sloan Research Award 2017
Shustova mentors multiple graduate students including recipients of ACS awards, NIH F31 fellowships, and SPARC research grants. Her group secures significant funding for porous/graphitic materials research, with recent projects on actinide-MOF systems highlighted in Chemical Science's 2025 HOT Article Collection. Current lab initiatives include transuranic MOF development and photochromic energy transfer systems, supported by collaborations with Technical University of Munich and national laboratories.
Her research group operates across three laboratory spaces, utilizing advanced characterization techniques for materials development targeting energy conversion and nuclear applications.
