Christopher Beaudry is a Professor in the Department of Organic Chemistry at Temple University. His research focuses on natural products and the development of novel synthetic methods, including pericyclic, ionic, and radical reactions. Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (2005) NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Irvine (2006-2009) B.S., University of Wisconsin, Madison (2000) Research interests emphasize natural product synthesis and method development , targeting nitrogen-rich alkaloids, enantioselective catalysis, and organometallic chemistry. The group explores cascade processes and radical reactions for creating complex molecular architectures. Key awards include the Milton Harris Award for Basic Research , OSU Impact Award for Outstanding Scholarship , and the Vicky and Patrick Stone Scholar designation.
Fouad Teymour is the S.C. Johnson Professor of Chemical Engineering and Director of the Center for Complex Systems and Dynamics at Illinois Institute of Technology. He holds affiliations with multiple interdisciplinary centers, including the Pritzker Institute of Biomedical Science and Engineering. His research focuses on polymer reaction engineering, nonlinear dynamics, and biomedical applications of hydrogels. Education: Ph.D. (Chemical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1989); M.S. and B.S. (Cairo University, Egypt, 1982 and 1979). Research Interests: Hydrogel nanoparticles for drug delivery (e.g., sepsis prevention, biofilm suppression) Nonlinear polymerization modeling and high-temperature polymerization Agent-based systems for complex process control Biological engineering for food/energy security (e.g., algae photobioreactors) Publications: Over 80 peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing interdisciplinary applications of polymer science in healthcare, environmental engineering, and complex systems analysis. Collaborations: Active partnerships with clinicians and biomedical engineers on gut pathogen mitigation and biomaterials development. Labs/Teams: Leads the Polymer Reaction Engineering Lab and collaborates with the Center for Sports Innovation.
Sophie BARRAU is a Professor at the University of Lille, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) and the Department of Physics. She leads the Polymer Systems Engineering research team within the Materials and Transformations Unit (CNRS UMR 8207). Her work focuses on piezoelectric polymers and composites, particularly exploring structure-property relationships and functional materials for energy harvesting applications. She co-leads the Bachelor's degree program in Physics-Chemistry at the University of Lille. Key Projects: ANR NanoPiC (multi-scale piezoelectric behavior of nanostructured composites). Research Themes: Development of piezoelectric polymers, functional nanocomposites, and smart materials. Her research emphasizes advanced materials with applications in energy conversion and sensor technologies. Over 15 recent publications highlight her contributions to piezoelectric composites, polymer processing, and nanoscale characterization. She has supervised multiple PhD students, including Thibaut MOREL (functional nanocomposites) and Mélanie GIRARDOT (piezoelectric copolymer studies). Publications span journals like ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces , Polymers , and Small , reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to materials science.
Professor Per Zetterlund is a full professor at The University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia, affiliated with the Cluster for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD) within the School of Chemical Engineering. His research focuses on polymer and polymeric nano-object synthesis, including controlled radical polymerization techniques such as RAFT and PISA, with applications in nanomedicine, energy storage, coatings, and materials science. CAMD, a world-renowned center, emphasizes fundamental polymer science and industry-academia collaborations. **Education**: Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry (University of Leeds, UK, 1998) M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden, 1994) Yokohama International School (Yokohama, Japan, 1988) **Research Interests**: Professor Zetterlund’s work centers on structure-controlled polymers and nano-objects. Key areas include: Design of multiblock copolymers and nanocomposites Graphene/polymer nanocomposites for energy and biomedical applications Development of responsive polymer particles via RAFT/PISA Emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization techniques Ambient-temperature synthesis of conductive coatings Optimization of polymerization kinetics under CO₂ and other solvents His research bridges fundamental science and applied industry solutions, leveraging collaborations with institutions like Mitsubishi Chemical and Kobe University. **Advising & Grants**: Zetterlund supervises students in polymer chemistry, polymer science, and advanced materials. His funding includes grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and industry partners. Recent work explores solid-state lithium-ion batteries, thin spray-on liners for mining, and scalable RAFT-based synthesis methods. **Labs & Teams**: He leads the Zetterlund Research Group at CAMD, specializing in polymer synthesis and nanomaterial engineering. The group collaborates with global teams on projects like nanocomposite coatings and biomedical nanocapsules.
Prof. Dr. hab. Agnieszka Wilczewska is a distinguished Professor at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bialystok, specializing in polymer and organic chemistry with significant contributions to biomedical applications. Her research program focuses on developing advanced polymeric materials for drug delivery systems, with particular expertise in nanoparticle-based technologies for cancer treatment and catalysis. Her scientific interests encompass multiple specialized areas in polymer chemistry: Synthesis of well-defined polymeric materials with controlled physicochemical properties Development of polymer-based drug carriers for biomedical applications Creation of organic-inorganic hybrids containing magnetic cores for biomedical applications and organic catalysis Design and analysis of polymers containing fullerenes and other nanoparticles Development of selective polymer sorbents for organic compounds and metal ions Modification of polymer physical properties (glass transition temperature, polarity, stimulus sensitivity) Chemical immobilization techniques for functional groups on polymeric materials Prof. Wilczewska employs comprehensive analytical methodologies including Thermogravimetry, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Dynamic Light Scattering, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, and various microscopy techniques. She is also actively involved in science popularization, focusing on everyday chemistry in cosmetics, food, and utility materials to educate the public about conscious use and disposal of chemical substances. Her publication record demonstrates a clear progression from fundamental polymerization techniques toward increasingly sophisticated biomedical applications. The most recent work (2023) focuses on targeted breast cancer treatments using specialized copolymer systems, representing the cutting edge of her research in selective therapeutic delivery. A consistent thread throughout her publications is the development of magnetic nanoparticle-based systems that serve dual purposes in both drug delivery and catalytic applications. Prof. Wilczewska's research is supported by the Ministry of Education and Science under the 'Social Responsibility of Science' program (Project number: SONP/SP/549046/2022, funding amount: PLN 53,570), which funds her science popularization activities. While specific individual awards aren't listed, this competitive funding demonstrates institutional recognition of her contributions to making chemistry accessible to the broader public. She maintains an active research program with multiple ongoing collaborations, as evidenced by her publication record with researchers including KH Markiewicz, K. Niemirowicz-Laskowska, and I. Misztalewska-Turkowicz. Her work on the 'What am I doing here?' project indicates strong commitment to public engagement while continuing advanced research in polymer chemistry and nanomaterials. Prof. Wilczewska appears to lead or be a central member of a research group at the University of Bialystok with substantial capabilities in polymer synthesis, nanoparticle preparation, and comprehensive materials characterization. The extensive range of analytical techniques referenced in her work suggests access to well-equipped facilities for polymer and materials analysis, supporting a robust research environment focused on creating innovative polymeric materials for biomedical applications.
Dr. Sandra Wiedbrauk is a Research Fellow at Queensland University of Technology's School of Chemistry & Physics, Faculty of Science. Her research bridges organic chemistry, photochemistry, and materials science with significant applications in UV sensing, antibacterial compounds, and functional materials development. Dr. Wiedbrauk completed her academic training at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in Germany, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry (2007-2010), Master of Science in Chemistry (2010-2013), and Dr. rer. nat. (Ph.D.) in Organic Chemistry (2013-2018). She has been a Postdoctoral Fellow at QUT since 2018. Her research expertise spans several interconnected areas: Molecular photoswitch design and characterization, particularly hemithioindigo and diarylethene derivatives Polymer chemistry with applications in functional materials Photochemistry and light-responsive molecular systems Nanotechnology applications in UV sensing and detection Development of antibacterial compounds targeting biofilm-related infections Analysis of Dr. Wiedbrauk's recent publication record reveals a clear evolution from fundamental photochemical studies toward increasingly interdisciplinary applications. Her early work (2014-2017) focused on the photophysical properties of hemithioindigo photoswitches, while her more recent research (2020-2024) demonstrates a strategic shift toward practical applications including wearable UV sensors, 3D printed colorimetric detection systems, and novel antibacterial compounds. A notable trend is her growing collaboration across disciplines, with recent co-authors from design, engineering, and health sciences reflecting the translational nature of her work. Dr. Wiedbrauk's research has significant implications for developing practical solutions to health and environmental challenges, particularly in sun protection technologies and antibacterial treatments targeting biofilm-related infections that are increasingly resistant to conventional antibiotics.
Linda Peteanu is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University, affiliated with the Mellon College of Science. She holds leadership roles including former Head of the Department of Chemistry (2017–2022). Her research focuses on the optical and electronic properties of conjugated materials, nanomaterials, and quantum technologies. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1989) and completed postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley (1989–1992) and UC Riverside (1992–1993). Her work combines fluorescence microscopy, plasmonics, and collaborations with computational chemists to study energy transport in conjugated polymers, silicon and gold nanoclusters, and biomolecule labeling. Key projects include optimizing helical polyfurans for optoelectronics and exploring quantum applications of nanomaterials. She leads the Peteanu Group, which emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to materials science and nanotechnology. Research Highlights Plasmonic enhancement of emissive materials for lighting/photovoltaics Electronic properties of gold/silicon nanoclusters Single-molecule imaging of conjugated polymers Ligand control in nanoparticle emission mechanisms Notable awards include NSF CAREER (1997), NSF POWRE (1998), and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship (2000). Her research is supported by grants such as the Kaufman Foundation-funded project on quantum emitters. Current initiatives involve using cloud labs to accelerate material discovery and DNA origami for quantum coherence studies. Her group collaborates across disciplines, including with Materials Science and Engineering at CMU.
Will Gutekunst serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Georgia Institute of Technology's College of Sciences. His research focuses on innovative synthetic organic chemistry approaches to complex macromolecular systems, with emphasis on sustainable polymer design. His educational background includes a B.S. from the University of Oklahoma (2008), Ph.D. from The Scripps Research Institute (2013), and NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of California Santa Barbara (2013-2016). Research interests span Organic and Materials Chemistry , with specialization in polymer chemistry informed by modern organic synthesis, dynamic control of polymer structure and function, and development of new functional/recyclable materials. His work pushes boundaries in macromolecular complexity through novel monomer design, small molecule reagents for polymer modulation, and innovative covalent bond formation strategies. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong focus on chemically recyclable polymers (34% of articles), stimuli-responsive materials (27%), and biobased monomer systems (22%). Key trends include topochemical polymerization techniques, informatics-driven sustainable design, and dynamic covalent chemistry for circular materials. Award highlights include: ACS Petroleum Research Fund Doctoral New Investigator Award (2018) NIH Ruth L. Kirschtein Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013) BMS Graduate Fellowship in Organic Chemistry (2013) NSF Predoctoral Fellowship (2009) His Gutekunst Lab trains students in synthetic organic chemistry and polymer characterization, with notable advisee Dr. Kellie Stellmach who defended her thesis on low ceiling temperature thiolactone monomers for chemically recycling polythioesters. Current research directions emphasize chemical circularity in 3D printing and informatics frameworks for sustainable polymer design. The Gutekunst Lab develops innovative concepts for creating previously inaccessible functional materials through novel macromolecular architectures, with applications in recyclable polymers and advanced material systems.
Cristina Canal Barnils serves as a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Barcelona East School of Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. She leads groundbreaking research at the intersection of plasma physics and biomaterials science through the BBT Research Group in Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering, while also contributing to the Multiscale Science and Engineering Research Center (CCEM). Her research focuses on plasma-biomaterial interactions , specializing in cold atmospheric plasma applications for tissue regeneration and medical device development. Key areas include plasma modification of biopolymers like alginate hydrogels, development of plasma-treated 3D scaffolds, and quantification of reactive species penetration in biological tissues. Her work bridges fundamental plasma physics with practical biomedical applications, particularly in wound healing and regenerative medicine. Recent publication trends reveal strong emphasis on computational modeling of plasma-biomaterial interactions (28% of recent outputs), plasma device engineering (24%), and therapeutic hydrogel development (21%), with growing interest in educational innovation (12%) and technology transfer (15%). Principal investigator for competitive R&D projects including PlasmAccelerate (technology transfer) and RevCEM (educational innovation) Recipient of multiple European Union-funded grants through Horizon 2020 and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Recipient of Ramon y Cajal program support for career development She maintains an extensive collaboration network spanning 12 research groups, with particularly strong ties to Maria Pau Ginebra Molins' team in biomaterials (126 joint activities) and Francesco Tampieri's group in plasma applications (43 joint activities). Her laboratory infrastructure includes specialized plasma reactors for biomedical applications and advanced materials characterization facilities.
Dr. Nathan Boase is a Senior Lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology in the School of Chemistry & Physics . As co-lead of the Medicinal Molecules and Materials Group, he bridges organic, medicinal, and polymer chemistry to solve clinical health challenges through precision chemistry. PhD in Chemistry (University of Queensland, 2011-2015) Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours (University of Queensland, 2007-2010) His research focuses on controlled radical polymerization for creating smart materials in extreme environments, with biomedical applications including anti-biofouling coatings , nanomedicines , and molecular imaging agents . Recent work explores stimuli-responsive polymers , 3D-printed UV sensors , and antiviral copolymers for respiratory viruses. Publications since 2012 demonstrate expertise in polymer synthesis , biofilm eradication , and adaptive learning technologies for chemistry education. Key collaborations include Distinguished Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik and Professor Deepak Dubal. 2023 : QLD Young Tall Poppy Science Award 2021 : RACI QLD O'Donnell Lectureship 2019 : CAS Future Leader (ACS San Diego) 2017 : Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 2016 : RACI Chartered Membership Teaching roles include coordination of CZB190 (2018) and CVB102 (2019-present), alongside pedagogical research on adaptive learning technologies. Supervised 13 undergraduate projects in capstone and vacation programs, with students progressing to honors, HDR, or industry careers.
Devon Shipp is Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP) at Clarkson University. His research develops novel polymer chemistries for applications in nanotechnology and biomedicine, with focus on radical polymerizations, nanocomposites, and degradable polymers. Shipp's innovations include thiol-ene polymerizations for surface-eroding polyanhydrides, methods for functional polymer particle synthesis, and radical-mediated polymerization techniques. His work has applications in drug delivery, shape-memory materials, and sustainable colloids. Honors include the Polymer Chemistry Pioneering Investigator award (2021) and Fulbright Scholarship (2015). He holds patents for elastomeric polyanhydrides and biomedical devices, with research supported by NSF and industry partners. Current projects focus on dynamic covalent polymers, methacrylic anhydride copolymers, and functional nanoparticles.
Nicole Sampson is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Stony Brook University. She holds membership in graduate programs in Chemistry, Biochemistry & Structural Biology, and Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology. Her research focuses on understanding protein structure-function relationships and developing chemical tools to probe biological systems, with emphasis on tuberculosis drug discovery, cholesterol metabolism, and polymer-based diagnostics. Education: B.S. from Harvey Mudd College (1985), Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley (1990), Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard University (1991-1993). Research Interests: Her lab investigates three core areas: (1) precision polymer synthesis for studying fertilization and cholera intoxication mechanisms; (2) lipid-protein interactions in biological systems; and (3) tuberculosis drug discovery via mycobacterial steroid metabolism. Recent work includes identifying novel biomarkers for TB diagnosis and developing glycopolymer-based tools to study sperm-egg interactions. Awards: Recipient of prestigious awards including the Camille Dreyfus New Faculty Award (1993-98), NSF CAREER Award (1996-2000), ACS Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award (2001), and election to American Chemical Society Fellowship (2017). Lab & Collaborations: Leads the Sampson Group, collaborating with institutions globally on projects spanning chemical biology, enzymology, and infectious disease research. Active in training graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in interdisciplinary approaches to biomedical challenges.
Ozgur Keles is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at San José State University (SJSU), where he has worked since August 2015. He previously held a Lecturer and Senior Research Associate position at Illinois Institute of Technology from 2013 to 2015 after completing his Ph.D. in Materials Engineering at Purdue University (2013). His research focuses on developing AI-driven discovery machines for new materials, leveraging active learning and high-throughput methods to explore uncharted chemical and structural spaces. He investigates processing-structure-property-design (PSP-D) interrelationships in multi-functional materials, combining additive manufacturing with data-driven numerical approaches to control hierarchical structures from sub-nano to macro-scale. B.S. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey (2005) M.S. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey (2008) Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Purdue University (2013) His research interests span artificial intelligence in materials discovery , graphene quantum dots in epoxy composites , sustainable design for smart cities , and virtual reality in engineering education . He uses molecular dynamics, finite element analysis, and vibration-assisted 3D printing to enhance mechanical reliability in composites. Recent projects include NSF CAREER grant-funded work on multi-scale mechanical behavior of quantum dot nanocomposites and an NEA grant for 3D printing cultural heritage artifacts . His publications highlight advancements in additive manufacturing , nanocomposite toughening , and machine learning for structural analysis . Notable contributions include studies on the effects of raster angle on 3D printed parts , thermal conductivity enhancement via GQDs , and stochastic fracture of porous composites . Scientific Awards: ASME Rising Star of Mechanical Engineering (2025) 2023 College of Engineering Award for Excellence in Scholarship 2019 Advisor of the Year at SJSU Keles collaborates extensively, securing grants such as the NSF MRI for a metal AM system and DOE PARC Xerox for ceramic alignment studies. His lab engages students in hands-on research, and he promotes engineering education through virtual reality modules .
Patrizio Raffa is an Associate Professor in Smart and Sustainable Polymeric Products at the University of Groningen (RUG), affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG). His research focuses on developing advanced polymeric materials for industrial applications, particularly in the areas of amphiphilic polymers, stimuli-responsive systems, and bio-based materials. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa (2009) and has extensive post-doctoral experience across institutions in Europe. **Education**: PhD in Chemistry (2009), Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa MSc in Chemistry (2004), Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa **Research Interests**: Design of smart polymers via controlled radical polymerization (ATRP/RAFT) Stimuli-responsive hydrogels and soft robotics materials Bio-based polymers from renewable resources Applications in controlled release systems, coatings, and oil recovery **Teaching**: Coordinator and lecturer for courses in Interfacial Engineering, Industrial Organic Chemistry, and Polymer Chemistry at both BSc and MSc levels. **Awards**: Recipient of the Outstanding Online Short Talk Award at MACRO2021 for his research on microrobotics and stimuli-responsive materials. **Labs & Teams**: Leads the RaffaLab, which emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration with industry partners such as Shell, DSM, and Royal Cosun on projects like sustainable polymers for oil recovery and bio-based materials.
Karol Wolski is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University. His research focuses on conductive polymer nanobrushes, organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs), and nanotechnology-driven applications in energy, electronics, and biomedicine. He completed his PhD in 2016 under Prof. Szczepan Zapotoczny and has held postdoctoral positions, including collaborations at the University of Siegen (Germany) and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPG). Education: Bachelor's in Chemistry (2010), Jagiellonian University MSc in Chemistry (2012), Jagiellonian University (supervisor: Prof. Zapotoczny) PhD in Chemistry (2016), Jagiellonian University (thesis: "Synthesis and Characterization of Conductive Polymer Nanobrushes Grafted from Flat Surfaces" ) Completed the interdisciplinary doctoral program "Society – Environment – Technologies" (2013–2016) Research interests span polymer brush synthesis (e.g., ATRP methods), AFM characterization of nanomaterials, and applications in organic electronics (e.g., memristive devices, FETs). His work bridges fundamental polymer chemistry with practical advancements in smart materials, drug delivery systems, and sustainable functional materials. Awards include the START scholarship (2018) and a Minister of Science and Higher Education scholarship (2021–2024) , along with four Rector’s Awards from Jagiellonian University (2021–2024). He has supervised 5 BSc, 4 MSc, and 3 PhD theses (co-supervisor) and currently co-supervises 3 PhD students. Grants: Principal Investigator: SONATA 14 (NCN, PLN 798,654) MAESTRO 15 (NCN, PLN 4,728,700) ADEVASCO Virtual Research Institute (PLN 78,578,024.95) Labs/Teams: Member of the Nanoengineering of Functional Polymeric Materials group. Collaborates internationally, including with MPG’s Prof. Paul Blom. Serves as Topic Editor for Polymers (MDPI) and guest editor for special issues on polymer brushes and biomedical materials.
