Ulrich Wiesner

Ulrich (Uli) Wiesner is the Spencer T. Olin Professor of Engineering and a Full Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University’s College of Engineering. He has been a faculty member since 1999, promoted to Full Professor in 2005, and has co-directed the MSKCC-Cornell Center for Translation of Cancer Nanomedicine (MC²TCN) since 2015, one of six NCI-funded Centers for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence.

• Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, University of Mainz and Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research, 1991
• Diploma in Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, 1988

Wiesner’s research bridges polymer science and inorganic chemistry to create multifunctional nanomaterials for applications in energy, clean water, and nanomedicine. His group specializes in block copolymer self-assembly, mesoporous hybrid materials, and fluorescent silica nanoparticles (C-dots) as non-toxic alternatives to quantum dots. The group investigates structure formation mechanisms, hierarchical porosity, and the integration of organic fluorophores into solid-state silica matrices to enhance optical stability and brightness.

The recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in nanomaterial design, hierarchical structuring, and clinical translation. His work spans from fundamental self-assembly principles to biomedical applications, particularly in optical-PET imaging, cancer diagnostics, and nanoparticle therapeutics. A focus on transient laser processing, epitaxial growth, and micelle-directed assembly reflects an innovative approach to controlling nanostructure at multiple length scales.

Wiesner has received numerous honors, including:

• National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellow (2024)
• Arthur K. Doolittle Award, ACS PMSE Division (2016)
• Elected PMSE Fellow, American Chemical Society (2015)
• National Science Foundation Creativity Award (2008)
• Carl Duisberg Memorial Award, German Chemical Society (1999)

He has led major interdisciplinary research initiatives, notably the MC²TCN, which integrates engineering and oncology for cancer nanomedicine translation. His work has attracted significant funding from the NCI and other agencies, enabling high-impact collaborations with medical and materials science teams. While specific students and grants are not listed, his leadership in large-scale centers and high-impact publications indicates extensive mentorship and research sponsorship.

Wiesner leads a dynamic research group focused on hybrid materials synthesis, operating at the intersection of the Wiesner Lab at Cornell and collaborative teams at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). The lab emphasizes nanoparticle design, self-assembly engineering, and translational nanomedicine, fostering a multidisciplinary environment for innovation in advanced materials.