Tobias Baumgart

Tobias Baumgart is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences, where he leads an active research group in the Department of Chemistry. His work bridges physical chemistry, biophysics, and chemical biology, focusing on the mechanics and dynamics of biological membranes.

His research interests include:

• Membrane biophysics and lipid-protein interactions
• Membrane curvature generation and sensing
• Endocytosis and flippase function
• Intrinsically disordered proteins on membranes
• Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in cellular contexts
• Photopharmacological modulation of lipid transporters

His recent publications highlight a consistent focus on the physical principles governing membrane organization, with an increasing emphasis on phase separation and protein-membrane interplay. Techniques such as cryo electron tomography, fluorescence microscopy, 2D NMR, and micromanipulation are central to his interdisciplinary approach.

Notable scientific awards include:

• Charles Ludwig Award for Distinguished Teaching (2023)
• Dennis M. DeTurck Award for Innovation in Teaching (2023)
• NSF CAREER Award (2011)
• Alfred P. Sloan Fellow (2008)
• Keck Fellowship (2001–2004)

Baumgart has successfully secured continuous research funding as principal investigator since 2007 from major agencies including the NSF, NIH, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. His lab actively mentors graduate, undergraduate, and postdoctoral researchers, with a strong tradition of including undergraduates in high-impact research. He teaches core courses such as General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Biomolecular Imaging.

The Baumgart Lab operates within the Department of Chemistry at Penn, equipped for advanced biophysical experimentation and theoretical modeling, and collaborates widely across campus and with nearby institutions.