Georgios Sakellariou is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , Greece. He leads the Polymer Group, focusing on advanced polymer synthesis and characterization techniques. Roles: Assistant Professor, Researcher, Educator Location: Polymer Laboratory, 1st Floor, Office 4, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, Athens Research Interests include controlled radical polymerization methods (ATRP, NMP, RAFT), synthesis of complex macromolecular architectures, polymer characterization (DLS, SLS, viscometry), and applications in biomedical materials and energy storage. His work emphasizes precision in polymer design and functional material development. Recent Research Trends involve creating single-chain polymeric nanoparticles with tunable softness/rigidity via cross-linker optimization, star copolymers with high χ parameters for phase separation, and solid polymer electrolytes for Li-ion batteries. Collaborations span institutions like the University of Ioannina and Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Advising includes mentoring PhD and Master’s students such as Emmanouil Mygiakis, Maria-Malvina Stathouraki, and Anna Boura. His group engages in interdisciplinary projects with international researchers like Prof. Apostolos Avgeropoulos and Dr. Emmanouil Glynos . Laboratory & Team : The Polymer Group operates in the Industrial Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Athens, conducting courses like "Special Topics in Polymer Science" and "Polymer Characterization."
Jia Niu is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Boston College, affiliated with the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University and has been recognized with awards including the 2024 ACS CARB David Y. Gin New Investigator Award and the 2023 Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award. His research focuses on biomimetic synthetic molecules, sustainable materials from renewable resources, and RNA-based synthetic biology tools. The Niu Group employs interdisciplinary approaches combining organic chemistry, polymer science, bioconjugation, molecular evolution, and synthetic biology. Education: Ph.D., Harvard University Research Interests: Engineering cell surface glycome using glycomimetic polymers Developing degradable, stimuli-responsive polymers Using molecular evolution to create gene expression regulation tools Awards: ACS CARB David Y. Gin New Investigator Award (2024) Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2023) NSF CAREER Award (2020) NIH Director's New Innovator Award (2019) Beckman Young Investigator Award (2019) Thieme Chemistry Journals Award (2019) Advising & Grants: His lab receives financial support from NSF, NIH, and other organizations, focusing on training students in synthetic organic chemistry, polymer synthesis, nucleic acid chemistry, and cell biology. No explicit student names are listed in the provided texts. Labs/Teams: The Niu Research Group operates within the Chemistry Department at Boston College, emphasizing the development of sustainable polymers, glycomimetic engineering, and RNA-based synthetic biology tools. Their work integrates cutting-edge polymerization techniques and molecular evolution strategies for biomedical and environmental applications.
Neil Ayres is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati's College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Warwick and conducts research in synthetic polymer chemistry with a focus on stimuli-responsive materials. His research portfolio includes significant contributions to polymer biomaterials, heparin-mimicking polymers, and dynamic hydrogels for biomedical applications. Ayres has developed diverse functional materials including shape-memory polyurethanes, self-healing hydrogels, and acoustic polyHIPE foams. His recent work explores wavelength-controlled dynamic materials and mechanically tunable polymers for specialized applications. He maintains an extensive collaborative network and has secured research funding from multiple sources including the National Science Foundation and Procter & Gamble. With over 50 peer-reviewed publications, Ayres demonstrates consistent innovation in polymer synthesis techniques and material characterization. His articles frequently examine the structure-property relationships of stimuli-responsive polymers and their biomedical applications.
QIU Yunyan is an Assistant Professor and NUS Presidential Young Professor at the Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore. She holds a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University (2016) and a B.S. from Peking University (2011). Her research focuses on synthetic organic chemistry, polymer science, and supramolecular chemistry to design dynamic materials and catalysts for environmental, energy, and biomedical applications. Central to her work is the use of mechanical bonds to tune material properties and control catalytic processes. Key achievements include the Sauvage-Stoddart-Feringa Junior Award (2024), NUS Presidential Young Professorship (2022), and Foresight Fellow in Molecular Machines (2021). Her lab, the Qiu Research Group, explores precision polymer synthesis, molecular machines, and conjugated frameworks for advanced materials. Recent publications highlight innovations in polyrotaxane synthesis, molecular motors, and host-guest chemistry. She advises postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in dynamic materials research.
Matthew R. Golder is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Washington. He holds a B.S. from the University of Rochester (2010) and a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon (2015) under Ramesh Jasti, focusing on nanohoops. He completed an NIH Postdoc at MIT with Jeremiah Johnson, developing polymer-drug delivery systems. At UW, his lab creates novel macromolecules for energy, sustainability, and biomedical applications. Key areas include cyclic polymers, mechanochemistry, and plastic upcycling. Research emphasizes functional cyclic polymers, 'shapeshifting' materials, and sustainable mechanochemical methods. Recent work includes crosslinked polydiene rubbers (Chemical Science, 2025), fluxional bullvalene networks (JACS, 2024), and mechanochemical plastic upcycling (Angewandte, 2023). Awards include NSF CAREER, ARO YIP, and the Thieme Chemistry Award. Lab facilities include advanced GPC-MALS systems, gloveboxes, and ball mills. Notable collaborations involve UW's Pozzo, MIT's Johnson, and University of Oregon's Jasti groups. Students and postdocs span all career stages, with many securing prestigious fellowships (NSF GRFP, CEI). The lab prioritizes diversity and open dialogue, fostering an inclusive environment.
Steven P. Armes is the Firth Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Polymer and Colloid Chemistry at the University of Sheffield. He serves as Director of the Sheffield Polymer Centre and board member of spin-out company Farapack Polymers. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Bristol (1987) and has held positions at Sussex University and Los Alamos National Laboratory. His research focuses on polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), water-soluble polymers, block copolymer nano-objects, and stimuli-responsive colloids. Key areas include RAFT polymerization, nanocomposite particle design, and Pickering emulsifiers for industrial applications. Recent publications demonstrate advances in degradable polymer vesicles, neural network-guided self-assembly, and green photopolymerization techniques. Interdisciplinary work spans nanomaterials, biomedicine, and environmental applications. Significant scientific awards include: Fellow of the Royal Society (2014) DSM Materials Science Award (2016) RSC Macro Group Medal (2018) Sir Eric Rideal Lectureship (2021) He leads the Polymer Centre research group and advises on industrial collaborations with companies like Farapack Polymers.
проф. др Иванка Поповић is a Professor at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Department of Organic Chemical Technology. Her research focuses on Polymer Engineering, emphasizing biodegradable materials, sustainable polymer systems, and recycling technologies. She teaches courses including Modern Polymer Processing Techniques, Polymer Materials, and Recycling of Materials. Her work involves developing hybrid polymer networks, functional materials, and eco-friendly composites. Research Interests: Polymer Engineering Biodegradable Polymers Recycling Technologies Hybrid Materials pH-Sensitive Hydrogels Publications highlight advancements in polymer hybridization, material characterization, and environmental applications. Key projects include studies on casein-methacrylic acid networks, pectin cross-linking, and chitosan-based hydrogels. She has mentored over 50 students across doctoral, master's, and bachelor's programs, focusing on sustainable materials and polymer processing. Awards and grants are not explicitly listed but imply impactful contributions to her field.
Dr. W. Stephen McNeil is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus . His primary academic focus lies in Chemistry Education Research , where he investigates alternative conceptions in advanced chemical bonding models and develops innovative active/collaborative learning strategies. PhD in Chemistry from University of British Columbia (1995) BSc in Chemistry from University of British Columbia (1991) His research addresses two core areas: (1) identifying student alternative conceptions in chemical bonding theories through qualitative interviews, and (2) assessing the effectiveness of flipped-classroom methods on affective learning outcomes. He has developed educational frameworks integrating Johnstone’s Triangle and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into introductory chemistry curricula. Dr. McNeil has received multiple teaching excellence awards including the 3M National Teaching Fellow (2025) and Chemical Institute of Canada Award for Chemistry Education (2019) . He actively mentors students in discipline-based educational research, emphasizing research design, theoretical frameworks, and pedagogical dissemination. Professional affiliations include serving as Past-Chair of the Chemistry Education Division at the Chemical Institute of Canada. His outreach work connects chemistry concepts to interdisciplinary contexts , including Indigenous knowledge systems and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Guymon is a Professor in the Chemical & Biochemical Engineering Department at the University of Iowa's College of Engineering. His research focuses on advanced photopolymerization techniques and their applications in biomaterials science and neural engineering. His primary research interests include polymer science, biomaterials, photopolymerization, tissue engineering, neural engineering, and hydrogel technology. Dr. Guymon's work demonstrates how precise control of photopolymerization processes can create materials with tailored properties for specific biomedical applications. His research spans from fundamental polymer chemistry to applied medical device development, with particular emphasis on creating surfaces and materials that interact favorably with biological systems. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on developing zwitterionic hydrogel coatings for medical implants, particularly cochlear implants, where his work has significantly reduced foreign body responses. His research also explores how photopolymerized surface topography can guide neural growth, with implications for neural prosthetics and regenerative medicine. Additional work includes 3D bioprinting of cartilage grafts, enhancement of thermomechanical properties in photopolymer networks, and control of degradation in thiol-Michael hydrogels. Dr. Guymon's laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding the relationship between polymer structure, surface properties, and biological responses, with numerous publications in high-impact journals covering both fundamental and applied aspects of photopolymer science.
Anja Palmans is a Full Professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology within the College of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. As part of the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and the Supramolecular Chemistry & Catalysis group, her research focuses on biomimetic catalytic systems and supramolecular polymer dynamics. She holds a doctorate from TU/e (1997) and has held academic positions at ETH Zürich, DSM Research, and KIT. Her research explores two primary areas: (1) compartmentalized catalysis in water via polymer folding, reducing purification costs in organic synthesis, and (2) controlling supramolecular copolymerization exchange dynamics. Key work involves benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamides (BTAs) as multifunctional building blocks for self-assembled nanostructures. Recent publications highlight her team's innovations in creating enzyme-like catalytic systems in water, tuning cooperativity in supramolecular polymers, and leveraging hydrogen bonding for hierarchical assembly. Collaborators include E.W. Meijer and C. Kulkarni, with applications in biomedical and nanotechnological fields. She teaches courses in molecular chemistry and contributes to annual RPK A lectures. Her group, ICMS Core, operates at the intersection of synthetic polymers and functional materials, with a focus on sustainability and bio-inspired design.
Kanvaly Sanogo Lacina serves as a Research and Education Assistant at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science, specifically within the Department of Chemistry. Based at the Van 't Hoff Laboratory for Physical and Colloid Chemistry (part of the Debye Research Institute), they work in the Chemistry Practicum at the Victor J. Koningsberger Building in Utrecht. Their position combines research responsibilities with practical teaching duties in chemistry. Dr. Lacina's research focuses on advanced colloidal systems, with particular expertise in the synthesis and modification of specialized particles. Their work spans physical chemistry, colloid science, and nanomaterials engineering, with emphasis on creating particles with specific surface properties and geometries. Key research areas include Janus particles with chemically distinct surfaces, patchy particles with controlled geometries, and chiral colloidal structures. Analysis of their publication record reveals a consistent focus on particle surface engineering and controlled synthesis techniques. Their work demonstrates expertise in wet-chemical methods, surface modification through polymerization techniques, and creating particles with orthogonal chemical functionality. The research has applications in materials science, drug delivery systems, and advanced colloidal assemblies. Lacina has been actively contributing to research at Utrecht University since 2007, first as an Organic Chemistry Research Assistant at Organon before joining the Van 't Hoff Laboratory. Their work is conducted within the Debye Research Institute, a leading center for physical and colloid chemistry in the Netherlands.
Marinos Pitsikalis serves as a Professor of Industrial Chemistry within the Department of Chemistry at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He maintains an active research program in polymer science and is based in Office 5, Wing A, on the 1st floor of the department building. Contact information: Telephone: +30-210-7274768 Fax: +30-210-7221800 Email: pitsikalis@chem.uoa.gr Professor Pitsikalis' research focuses on advanced polymer synthesis and characterization. His primary areas of interest include: Controlled radical polymerization (especially RAFT) Coordination polymerization techniques Synthesis and study of block and statistical copolymers Thermal properties and degradation kinetics of polymers Self-assembly behavior of amphiphilic block copolymers Micellization in selective solvents Analysis of Professor Pitsikalis' most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a consistent emphasis on copolymer systems involving N-vinylpyrrolidone and functional methacrylates or isocyanates. His work frequently investigates structure-property relationships, particularly thermal stability and self-assembly characteristics. Notable methodologies include titanium-mediated coordination polymerization and reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization.
Philippe Roger is a Professor at Université Paris-Saclay, affiliated with the Faculty of Sciences and Department of Chemistry. He is based at the Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d'Orsay (ICMMO - UMR 8182) in Building 670, Bureau 1206 (17-19 Avenue des Sciences, 91400 Orsay, France). His research is conducted within the SM2ViE team (Synthèse, Molécules et Matériaux pour le Vivant et l'Environnement), focusing on advanced polymer and material science. His research spans Polymer Chemistry , Surface Science , and Nanomaterials , with emphasis on stimuli-responsive polymers, antimicrobial surfaces, polymer brushes, and catalytic materials. Key methodologies include atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), plasma deposition, and supramolecular assembly. His work bridges fundamental chemistry with applications in environmental remediation, biomedical materials, and sustainable technologies. Recent publications (2021-2025) reveal strong trends in functional polymer synthesis (e.g., pH-responsive nanoparticles, active ester copolymers), surface modification (PET functionalization via plasma/ATRP), and nanomaterial applications (quantum dot sensors, silver nanoparticle antimicrobials). Interdisciplinary collaborations dominate his work, particularly in developing eco-friendly processes and advanced catalytic systems. While no formal awards are listed in available materials, his prolific publication record in high-impact journals (Nature Communications, ACS Applied Polymer Materials, European Polymer Journal) demonstrates significant scholarly contribution. His laboratory work centers on the SM2ViE team at ICMMO, utilizing platforms for polymer synthesis, surface characterization (XPS, ellipsometry), and nanomaterial development. Current projects emphasize sustainable material design, including waste PET valorization and biobased antimicrobial networks.
Olivier Colombani is an HDR Lecturer at IMMM (Institute of Molecules and Materials of Mans), UMR6283, section 33 (polymers) at Le Mans University. He has been serving in this capacity since September 2006, contributing significantly to polymer research and education. His educational background includes: 2000: Engineering Diploma from the National School of Chemistry of Montpellier (ENSCM) and Master 2 "Polymer Materials" at the University of Montpellier II 2000-2003: Doctorate at the P. & M. Curie University, under the supervision of Dr. Laurent Bouteiller, specializing in "Chemistry and Physical Chemistry of Polymers" 2004-2005: Postdoctoral fellowship at Makromolekulare Chemie II Laboratory (MCII - Universität Bayreuth, Germany), under Prof. AHE Müller, focusing on "ATRP synthesis of amphiphilic diblock copolymers and solution studies" 2005-2006: Postdoctorate at CEA Saclay, Technological Research Department (DRT), working on "Sensitive and selective explosive detectors based on molecularly imprinted polymers" December 2013: Obtained his HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) with the thesis "Associative polymers in solution: Control of self-assembly by chemical structure" Dr. Colombani's research focuses on understanding the relationships between the chemical structure of polymers and their self-assembly in solution. He specializes in macromolecular synthesis using controlled radical polymerization techniques, with the ultimate goal of controlling the association dynamics and nano-structuring of polymers in solution through various interactions (hydrophobic, hydrogen bonds, ionic interactions) and stimuli (pH, ionic strength, temperature). His work has significant applications in reversible gels, emulsion stabilization, and nano-reactors. The researcher has made notable contributions to the fields of associative polymers, supramolecular polymers, and stimuli-responsive materials, particularly through his work on amphiphilic block copolymers, triblock copolyelectrolytes, and bottle-brush polymers. His publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on polymer self-assembly mechanisms, with particular emphasis on how chemical structure influences dynamic behavior in solution. The research shows progression from fundamental studies of polymer assembly to applications in responsive materials, with a strong methodological foundation in controlled polymerization techniques and advanced characterization methods. Dr. Colombani's scientific recognition includes: HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) awarded in December 2013 ANR Young Researchers SupraJanus Project funding (2011-2015) As an HDR holder, Dr. Colombani supervises PhD students and participates in academic governance at Le Mans University. His research has been supported through the ANR Young Researchers SupraJanus Project, indicating recognition of his independent research capabilities. While specific grant amounts aren't mentioned, the ANR project suggests substantial research funding for his work on supramolecular polymer systems. Dr. Colombani is affiliated with the IMMM (Institute of Molecules and Materials of Mans), a research laboratory (UMR6283) that appears to be part of Le Mans University. His work connects with several research groups within IMMM, particularly those focused on polymers and organic synthesis. The laboratory offers various platforms including electron microscopy, NMR, and specialized polymer characterization equipment that support his research on polymer self-assembly and nano-structuring.
Andrea Bodor is a Lecturer at the Institute of Chemistry and Department of Analytical Chemistry of Eötvös Loránd University , where she focuses on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and structural biology of proteins. She holds the prestigious title of Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences , recognizing her contributions to chemical sciences. Academic Role: Lecturer in Analytical Chemistry Institution: Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest Research Interests: Andrea Bodor specializes in characterizing intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) using NMR techniques, with a focus on proline cis/trans isomerization, chemical shift analysis, and membrane interactions. Her work extends to antimicrobial peptides, protein dynamics under physiological conditions, and structural characterization of protein complexes via hybrid NMR-SAXS approaches. Publications Trends: Her recent work emphasizes NMR methodology development for structural analysis, molecular complex stability (e.g., sugammadex-solasodine), and functional studies of proteins involved in diseases like cancer (p53, S100A4). She also investigates analytical techniques for food chemistry and polymer functionalization. Scientific Honors: Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
