Thomas Theis

Thomas Theis is an Associate Professor and Goodnight Distinguished Scholar in Molecular Characterization at the Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University (NC State). He leads the Theis Hyperpolarization Lab, which focuses on overcoming NMR/MRI sensitivity limitations through hyperpolarization chemistry. His research integrates chemistry, physics, and engineering to develop molecular imaging tools and portable NMR systems.

Education:

• Ph.D. Chemistry, University of California at Berkeley (2012)
• M.Sc. Chemistry, University of Göttingen (2006)

Research Interests:

Thomas Theis' work centers on hyperpolarization techniques using parahydrogen to enhance NMR/MRI signals by up to six orders of magnitude. This enables applications like portable NMR and cost-effective molecular imaging. Key areas include SABRE (Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange), low-field NMR systems, and hyperpolarized molecular probes for biomedical diagnostics. His lab collaborates with institutions such as UNC Chapel Hill, Harvard, and RWTH Aachen University.

Publications:

Recent work includes advancements in hyperpolarized pyruvate imaging, SABRE-SHEATH dynamics, and low-field MRI innovations. Over 50 peer-reviewed articles highlight his contributions to molecular imaging and quantum sensing.

Labs & Teams:

He directs the Theis Lab, which specializes in hyperpolarization chemistry, quantum sensing, and biomedical instrumentation. The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration to address challenges in molecular tracking and imaging.