Werner M. Nau

Werner M. Nau serves as Interim Provost, VP and Head of Academic Operations at Constructor University, where he is a Professor of Chemistry in the School of Science. His research group operates at the intersection of physical-organic chemistry and supramolecular chemistry, with a particular focus on molecular recognition phenomena in aqueous environments.

• Interim Provost, VP and Head of Academic Operations
• Professor of Chemistry, School of Science
• Director of Supramolecular Chemistry Research Group

Professor Nau's research interests center on supramolecular chemistry with applications in sensing, catalysis, and biological systems. His work particularly focuses on understanding molecular interactions in water as a solvent, utilizing macrocyclic hosts such as cyclodextrins (CDs), cucurbiturils (CBs), and calixarenes (CXs). His group synthesizes and characterizes organic fluorophores for optical spectroscopy, studies host-guest complexation for analytical applications and drug delivery, and investigates supramolecular catalysis within molecular containers. Recent work has expanded into the use of superchaotropic anions for membrane transport and the development of vesicle-encapsulated chemosensing systems for monitoring transmembrane processes.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on boron cluster chemistry and its applications in membrane transport, with numerous high-impact papers in journals like Angewandte Chemie, Nature, and PNAS. The research shows a clear progression from fundamental host-guest chemistry toward biological applications, particularly in drug delivery and membrane transport mechanisms. His group has developed innovative approaches using supramolecular assemblies for real-time monitoring of transmembrane uptake, enzyme-coupled reactions, and peptide transport.

Professor Nau has mentored an extensive international cohort of researchers, with former PhD students from China, Jordan, India, Romania, Bulgaria, Iran, Nepal, Portugal, Germany, Egypt, and France. His collaborative network spans multiple continents, reflecting the global impact of his research.

His research group maintains strong connections with industry and has developed several applications with potential pharmaceutical relevance, particularly in the area of drug delivery systems using supramolecular approaches to enhance membrane permeability of therapeutic compounds.