Douglas Adamson is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on materials synthesis, particularly on well-defined polymers and graphene-based composites. He utilizes high vacuum anionic polymerization and self-assembly techniques to create advanced materials with applications in energy storage, sensing, and environmental remediation. Ph.D., University of Southern California B.S., University of Evansville Research interests include: Graphene and 2D nanosheet composites Anionic polymerization for precision polymer architectures Conductive hydrogels and foams Bio-mimetic material design Flame-resistant polymer systems Recent publications highlight work on graphene-stabilized polyHIPE foams, conductive hydrogels, and bio-inspired polymer synthesis. His group explores the interplay between material microstructure and macroscopic properties through experimental and computational approaches. Lab and team activities center on creating novel polymer templates and scalable methods for graphene exfoliation. Projects include mineral separation technologies, wearable sensors, and self-assembled 3D graphene architectures.
Nick Virgilio is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal . His research focuses on soft matter interfaces, polymer blends, and advanced hydrogel systems for biomedical and catalytic applications. Director, Research Laboratory on Surfaces, Interfaces and Soft Matter Member, Research Center for High-Performance Polymer and Composite Systems (CREPEC) Research interests include interfacial phenomena in multiphase systems, self-assembly of soft materials, nanoparticle-hydrogel composites, Pickering emulsions, and polymer microstructure engineering. Scientific awards include the 2010 Canadian Macromolecular Science Thesis Prize and the 2004 Polytechnique Montréal Master's Thesis Award. Recent publications highlight his work in macroporous hydrogels for cancer cell capture, nanoparticle synthesis in soft matrices, and interfacial control of polymer blends. His studies frequently appear in high-impact journals like ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces , Green Chemistry , and Macromolecules . Students under his supervision have explored topics from biofilm mechanics to lunar environment polymer systems across 4 PhD and 6 Master’s theses completed or ongoing.
Professor Theodor Agapie is the John Stauffer Professor of Chemistry and Executive Officer for Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). His research focuses on developing practical catalysts inspired by biological systems, particularly addressing challenges in energy resources and environmental sustainability. He holds a B.S. from MIT (2001) and a Ph.D. from Caltech (2007). His academic roles include teaching courses such as Ch 112 (Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry) and Ch 154 (Organometallic Chemistry). Education B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2001 Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, 2007 Research Interests The Agapie laboratory investigates catalyst design using first-row transition metals, focusing on water oxidation/reduction, CO₂ reduction, and bioinspired systems. Key areas include metal oxide clusters, hemi-labile ligand-based complexes, and multimetallic catalysts for polymerization. Research methodologies emphasize synthesis innovation and mechanistic studies. Publications Recent works highlight advancements in copper-based spin dynamics, molybdenum-iron-sulfur clusters for CO activation, and silicate platforms for electrochemical applications. His studies bridge inorganic chemistry with energy-related catalytic systems. Awards & Grants No specific awards or grants are listed in the provided texts, though his research is supported by Caltech’s resources. His administrative role as Executive Officer reflects institutional leadership. Labs & Teams The Agapie laboratory at Caltech focuses on synthesis and catalysis, with a team involving graduate students and postdocs. Key projects include bioinspired catalyst development and electrochemical energy systems.
Chulsung Bae is a Ford Foundation Professor at the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology (with a joint appointment in Chemical & Biological Engineering) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute . He also serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Future Energy Systems (CFES). Education: BS in Polymer Science & Engineering, Inha University MS in Materials Science, POSTECH MS in Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell PhD in Chemistry, University of Southern California (under Surya Prakash and George Olah) Postdoctoral Research, Yale University Dr. Bae's research focuses on the development of functional polymeric materials for clean energy and environmental technologies, particularly ion-conducting polymers for energy conversion and gas separation membranes . His group employs synthetic organic chemistry tools to create innovative materials like polymer electrolytes for fuel cells and redox flow batteries . Recent publications highlight advancements in bipolar membranes , water dissociation catalysts , and durable anion exchange membranes , reflecting his expertise in polymer functionalization and microstructured materials . Current projects include three-dimensionally micropatterned membranes and acid-degradable copolymers . Scientific Awards: Trustee Celebration of Faculty Achievement (2014–2024) Distinguished Member of Scientific Advisory Council, Advanced Energy Conference (2018) RPI School of Science Outstanding Research Award (2016) NSF CAREER Award (2008) New Investigator Award, UNLV (2005) Dr. Bae's research group includes current graduate students and former members who have transitioned to roles in academia, national labs, and industry. His work has received significant funding, including a $2.5 million ARPA-E contract in 2017 for solid ion-conducting materials.
Prof. Martin Kuentz is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), leading the research group on Quality by Design of oral dosage forms. His primary affiliation is with the School of Life Sciences and the Institute for Pharma Technology and Biotechnology . He holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Technology from the University of Basel (1999) and a Pharmacist degree (1995). Prior to academia, he worked at F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. as a Senior Scientist and Coordinator of Galenical Development Projects. Research Focus: His work centers on lipid-based formulations, amorphous solid dispersions, and computational tools for drug delivery. Key techniques include Raman spectroscopy, UV imaging, and molecular dynamics simulations. He has pioneered methods to enhance solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs using mesoporous silica, hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDES), and machine learning-driven approaches. Publications & Awards: Prof. Kuentz has authored over 90 peer-reviewed articles and received awards such as the IPEC Foundation Best Manuscript Award (2014) and multiple Best Poster Awards at Swiss Pharma Science Days (2012–2015). He is a member of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Pharmazeutischen Verfahrenstechnik (APV), and the Swiss Society of Industrial Pharmacists (GSIA). Teaching: He teaches courses on industrial processes in life sciences, pharmaceutical chemistry, and quality management at both bachelor and master levels. He is certified in university didactics from the University of Basel (2008). Lab/Team: Leads the Oral Formulations for Chemical Drugs research team at FHNW. Grants/Advising: Supervises multiple Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the PEARRL network, including main supervision of ESR 2 and ESR 5, and co-supervision of ESR 1, 3, 4, and 6.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Gallei is a Full Professor of Polymer Chemistry at Saarland University, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, where he leads the Gallei Lab. His research focuses on the development of nano-structured and stimuli-responsive polymeric materials inspired by natural hierarchical design principles. He holds a W3 professorship and is actively involved in interdisciplinary research bridging polymer chemistry, colloidal science, and self-assembly for advanced applications. His primary research interests include polymer chemistry , self-assembly of block copolymers , stimuli-responsive materials , smart membranes , photonic materials , and ceramic templating . His group develops novel synthetic strategies such as controlled radical polymerization and post-functionalization to create functional hybrid nanostructures. These materials are applied in fields like photonics , separation technologies , and energy storage . The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward redox-responsive systems , metallopolymer-based materials , 3D-printed structural colors , and environmental applications such as PFAS removal. The research combines fundamental polymer synthesis with applied materials engineering, emphasizing scalable and sustainable approaches. Reimund-Stadler-Prize donated by the GDCh (2017) Emerging Investigator 2016, RSC Journal of Materials C Fond der Chemischen Industrie (2016) Emerging Investigator 2016, RSC Polymer Chemistry Fellowship Max-Buchner-Foundation (DECHEMA) (2015) Young Talents 2015, Polymer Science, Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics Prize of the Familie-Bottling-Foundation (2011) Honor for PhD Thesis (summa cum laude), TU Darmstadt (2010) Prize of the Foundation of the Ehemaligen des Deutschen Kunststoff-Instituts (2007) GDCh-Prize for Chemistry (Abitur) (2000) Markus Gallei has led a junior research group at TU Darmstadt and has been a visiting scientist at MIT. He advises students and collaborates extensively on interdisciplinary projects. His lab is supported by national and EU-level funding, particularly in the area of smart inorganic polymers. He is a member of the editorial board of Frontiers in Polymer Science (Colloids) and part of the EU network 'Smart Inorganic Polymers'. The Gallei Lab operates within a well-equipped research environment, focusing on the self-assembly of core-shell particles , melt-shear organization , and functional hybrid films . The group actively develops new methodologies for creating porous membranes , ceramic precursors , and stimuli-responsive opal films .
Ivan Gitsov Ivanov is a Professor at the Department of Chemistry within the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry , where he also serves as Director of the Michael M. Szwarc Polymer Research Institute . His research spans polymer chemistry and green synthesis methodologies, focusing on hybrid materials with biomedical and environmental applications. PhD in Polymer Chemistry (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1986) Editorial roles: MDPI Polymers , Molecules , Current Organic Chemistry Research Interests include: Design of dendritic-linear hybrid polymers for drug delivery and nanoreactors Development of green chemistry through biocatalysis and solvent-free synthesis Creation of smart hydrogels for environmental cleanup and biomedical uses Exploration of polymer-assisted biocatalysis for enzymatic efficiency enhancement Advancement of polymer recycling via controlled degradation strategies Notable Awards : 2023-2024: Courtesy Associate Professor , Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University 2021-2022: Fulbright Scholar at University of Aveiro, Portugal 2017: SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship 2011: External Honorary Member , ETH Zurich Polymer Chemistry Group 1999: Cottrell Scholar (Research Corporation) Publications highlight trends in biocatalytic polymer synthesis , self-assembling amphiphilic systems , and green chemistry applications across biomedical and environmental domains.
Doug Stephan is a University Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto, affiliated with the Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories. His research focuses on inorganic main group and organometallic chemistry, with an emphasis on developing novel catalysts for industrial applications and fundamental chemical transformations. Key areas include low-valent transition metal complexes, hemilabile ligand systems, phosphorus-based materials, and frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) catalysis. Dr. Stephan collaborates with industry to advance catalytic processes for polymerization, hydrogenation, and metathesis reactions, supported by NSERC and industrial partnerships. His research explores C-H activation, P-H bond activation, and cyclometallation pathways to synthesize advanced materials. Recent work highlights FLP applications in hydrogenation, CO₂ activation, and C-F bond functionalization. While no awards or students are explicitly listed, his contributions bridge fundamental and applied chemistry, particularly in metal-free catalytic systems. Labs and teams: His work is conducted in the Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories, with a focus on synthesizing and characterizing novel organometallic compounds and catalytic systems.
Professor Nidal Hilal is a leading academic at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), serving as the Director of the NYUAD Water Research Center. He holds a faculty position in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. His research focuses on advancing desalination, water treatment technologies, and membrane innovation, with an emphasis on sustainable solutions for water scarcity and environmental challenges. Key research themes include solar-driven membrane distillation, nanomaterial-enhanced membranes, and strategies for brine mining and nutrient recovery. He has pioneered work on feed spacer design, anti-fouling surfaces, and the integration of recycled materials into membrane fabrication. His contributions bridge fundamental material science with practical applications in industrial water treatment and renewable energy sectors. Recent studies highlight advancements in proton-selective membranes for lithium battery waste recovery, ultra-high nitrate-selective materials, and scalable electrodialysis systems. His work frequently addresses global water-energy nexus challenges, advocating for circular economy principles in water management. Notably, Dr. Hilal’s lab explores innovative methods to reduce chemical usage in membrane production, enhance membrane longevity, and apply machine learning for optimizing reverse osmosis systems. His interdisciplinary approach has led to breakthroughs in hydrogen generation via polymeric membranes and the development of electrolytic cleaning systems for fouling mitigation. His leadership at NYUAD’s Water Research Center drives collaborative projects on desalination, wastewater reuse, and nanotechnology applications. While no formal student advisees are listed, his research group likely includes postdocs and graduate students engaged in cutting-edge membrane technology research.
Mark Taylor is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto, where he conducts research at the intersection of organic synthesis and supramolecular chemistry. His work focuses on noncovalent and reversible covalent interactions, with applications in designing chemical sensors and catalysts. Expertise: Catalyst development, mechanistic elucidation, receptor design, host-guest interactions Key research areas: Stereo- and regioselective catalysis, carbohydrate transformations, molecular recognition, sensory molecules, computational mechanistic studies His recent publications highlight innovations in organoboron/transition metal cocatalysis for carbohydrate functionalization, site-selective glycosylation methods, and halogen bonding applications in materials science. The majority of his work explores how organoboron compounds enable precise control over reaction regioselectivity and stereoselectivity, particularly in sugar chemistry. While no formal awards are listed, his administrative role as Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, underscores his institutional leadership.
Dr. Benjamin Noble is a Research Fellow in the School of Engineering at RMIT University. His research focuses on materials modeling, nanotechnology, biomaterials, and computational chemistry. He is open to supervising Masters and PhD students and can be contacted at benjamin.noble2@rmit.edu.au . His research interests include the design of functional materials, such as dynamic metal-phenolic networks and sequence-defined macromolecules, as well as the application of multiscale molecular simulations to study electromagnetic bioeffects and biomolecular interactions. He collaborates with industry partners like BlueScope to develop advanced materials for biomedical and industrial applications. Dr. Noble’s recent work emphasizes polymer synthesis methodologies (e.g., RAFT polymerization), drug delivery systems, and the development of contamination-resistant surfaces. His studies also explore photochemical reactivity prediction and mitochondrial uncouplers for pharmacological applications. He contributes to the Materials Modelling and Simulation Group led by Distinguished Professor Irene Yarovsky, which investigates nanomaterials for biomedicine and industry. The group’s research has led to innovations in drug delivery materials, biosensors, and sustainable surfaces.
Dr. Johanna K. Elter is a Junior Research Group Leader in macromolecular chemistry at Freie Universität Berlin (since May 2025). Her research focuses on synthesizing sequence-defined, monodisperse polycations for biomedical applications, including antimicrobial agents, peptide mimetics, and heparin antidotes. She leads the AG Elter group within the Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, specializing in organic chemistry. Education & Career: B.Sc./M.Sc. Chemistry at Friedrich Schiller University Jena (2011–2017) Ph.D. in Chemistry (2017–2021) under Prof. Felix H. Schacher, focusing on block copolymers for nanocontainers Postdoc at Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry CAS (2021–2024), developing lipid nanoparticle drug delivery systems Postdoc at Friedrich Schiller University Jena (2024–2025), studying sequence-defined polymers Research Interests: Her group explores polymers with tailored charged sequences to mimic peptides, combat antimicrobial resistance, and regulate blood clotting. Key topics include: Cationic polyelectrolytes for heparin complexation RAFT polymerization for triblock copolymers Bioinspired materials mimicking host defense peptides Awards: Liebig Fellowship (2025–2028) Walter-Benjamin-Fellowship (2022–2024) DAAD Fellowships (2016, 2017, 2020) Lab & Collaborations: Based at the SupraFAB Research Building, her team collaborates internationally and offers open positions in organic synthesis, macromolecular chemistry, and biomedical applications.
Piotr Skurski serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Theoretical Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, while maintaining a concurrent Professor of Chemistry position at the Henry Eyring Center for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Utah since 2006. His leadership spans multiple research units including the Laboratory of Quantum Chemistry at UG since 2014. His educational background includes: MSc in Chemistry (1993) from University of Gdańsk under Prof. Wiesław Wiczek PhD in Chemical Sciences (1997) supervised by Prof. Maciej Gutowski (PNNL, USA) Habilitation (2001) leading to Professor title (2005) by Presidential decree Skurski's research pioneers quantum chemical investigations of molecular anions, superhalogens, and reaction mechanisms. His work spans from fundamental electron binding phenomena to applied materials design, particularly focusing on superhalogen anions with electron affinities exceeding 15 eV, DNA repair processes, and polymerization mechanisms. His molecular design innovations include synthons, peptide crosslinks, and superacids. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant focus on superhalogen chemistry (7 articles), with significant contributions to molecular synthons (4 articles) and environmental applications like PFAS degradation (2 articles). His methodology consistently combines high-level quantum mechanical calculations with machine learning approaches for materials prediction. His accolades include: Karol Taylor Scientific Award (2021) Prime Minister's Award for habilitation work (2002) 15+ Rector's Awards from University of Gdańsk (1995-2023) Foundation for Polish Science Scholarship (1997) Skurski has supervised 10 doctoral students while securing major EU grants including MULTIPOL (FP6), PARYLENS (FP7), ENERLIQ (Polish-Swiss Program), and MAGENTA (Horizon 2020). His 198 publications with 5,371 citations (h-index 42) demonstrate substantial research impact. He leads the Laboratory of Quantum Chemistry at UG and maintains active collaborations with University of Utah's Henry Eyring Center.
Igor Roncevic is a Lecturer in Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, focusing on interdisciplinary research spanning materials science, organic chemistry, and theoretical physics. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through innovations in molecular design and energy-related materials. Research Interests Computational modeling of porphyrin-based systems and nanomaterials Electronic and structural characterization of antiaromatic and aromatic compounds Energy levels and charge transfer dynamics in molecular systems Development of novel carbon allotropes and their applications Recent Research Trends Roncevic’s articles emphasize porphyrin nanorings, cyclocarbon stabilization, and bistable electronic states. His work explores quantum interference phenomena, phase transitions in liquid metals, and photoswitchable molecular arrays. These studies bridge theoretical predictions with experimental validation, often using density functional theory (DFT) and advanced spectroscopic techniques. Advising Roncevic is currently accepting PhD students interested in computational chemistry and nanomaterials. He collaborates with international teams across Europe and the US, focusing on projects funded by grants in materials science and energy research.
Kristoffer Almdal is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), specializing in Physical Chemistry with a focus on Polymers and Functional Interfaces. He has held significant leadership roles including Head of Section at DTU and Head of Department at Risø National Laboratory, and has been a professor at DTU since 2008, indicating continued active status. PhD in Polymer Chemistry and Analysis, University of Copenhagen (1985–1989) MSc in Physical Organic Chemistry, University of Copenhagen (1977–1985) His research centers on polymer synthesis, particularly anionic polymerization, and the self-organization of block copolymers—linear and branched—with applications in functional materials, sensors, and biomaterials. He investigates mesophase structures, rheology, polymer degradation, and interfaces in composites using advanced analytical methods like small angle scattering and size exclusion chromatography. Recent publications (2024–2025) highlight work in eco-friendly nanogels for wound care, fatigue in epoxy resins, biomass-derived carbon aerogels for energy storage, and phase change materials in 3D-printable construction. These reflect a strong trend toward sustainable, multifunctional materials with applications in healthcare, energy, and construction. The research integrates fundamental polymer physics with practical engineering challenges, often through interdisciplinary collaboration. Kristoffer Almdal actively supervises PhD students in diverse projects, including: Synthesis of ABC-miktoarm star block copolymers Ion pairing in polyelectrolytes 3D printing with phase change materials Acoustic polymer lenses for ultrasound Block copolymer patterning of 2D materials He has delivered invited and keynote talks on polymer degradation, elongational flow, and self-organization, demonstrating recognition in the field. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable materials and clean energy. While no specific awards are listed, his extensive publication record (433 outputs), patents, and leadership in funded research projects underscore his impact. He is involved in multiple research groups and collaborative networks focused on polymer science, materials engineering, and sustainable technologies. His lab emphasizes cross-disciplinary innovation, bridging chemistry, physics, and engineering to develop next-generation functional materials.
