Songi Han

Professor Songi Han is the Mark and Nancy Ratner Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern University, affiliated with the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, International Institute of Nanotechnology, and Sustainability and Energy Institute. Her research focuses on quantum resonance sensing and understanding molecular interactions in water using advanced magnetic resonance techniques. She pioneered dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) methods to enhance NMR sensitivity, enabling studies of hydration water dynamics on biomolecular surfaces and soft materials. Her lab explores protein assembly pathways, tauopathies, and engineered active surfaces.

• Education:
  • Dipl.Chem.: RWTH Aachen University
  • Dr.rer.nat.: RWTH Aachen University
• Affiliations:
  • Chemistry of Life Processes Institute (CLP)
  • International Institute of Nanotechnology (IIN)
  • Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy

Her research integrates spin physics, instrument development, and biophysical chemistry to address challenges like visualizing molecular activity at interfaces and designing tools to study neurodegenerative diseases. Recent work includes uncovering water’s role in tau fibril formation and developing mini-prion models for Alzheimer’s disease studies.

Awards:

• 2024 Bruker Prize Lecture (Royal Society Chemistry EPR)
• 2023 Callaghan Lecturer Prize (ISMAR)
• 2019 Biophysical Society Innovation Award
• 2008 Packard Fellowship

Grants/Advising:

• NIH Innovator Award (2011)
• NSF CAREER Award (2006)
• Guides graduate students in biophysics and materials science

Labs/Teams: Han Lab at Northwestern, leading projects in quantum sensing, protein assembly, and hydration-driven phenomena.