J. Mathias Weber is a Professor and Institute Fellow at JILA (Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics), a joint institute of the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). His research group is based in the Chemistry Department at CU Boulder, where he maintains office space in JILA A709 and laboratory facilities in JILA B113/B115. His work bridges chemistry, physics, and materials science through advanced spectroscopic techniques. Education: Doctoral Degree: University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, 1998 Postdoctoral Associate: Yale University, New Haven, CT (1999-2001) Habilitation, Venia Legendi for Physical Chemistry: University of Karlsruhe, Germany, 2005 Professor Weber's research focuses on chemical physics with particular emphasis on cryogenic ion spectroscopy, molecular recognition, and high-pressure materials science. His work investigates ion-receptor interactions in molecular recognition complexes, water network formation on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and the high-pressure response of nanomaterials. By studying mass-selected molecular and cluster ions as isolated entities in vacuo, his group circumvents complications introduced by solvent environments, enabling detailed characterization of molecular properties and interactions. This approach combines experimental spectroscopy with quantum chemical calculations to gain molecular-level understanding of complex chemical phenomena. Analysis of Professor Weber's recent publications reveals a strong focus on molecular recognition chemistry, particularly using calix[4]pyrrole as a receptor for anions. His work increasingly incorporates cryogenic ion vibrational spectroscopy to examine biomolecules and biosignatures. A consistent theme across his publications is the investigation of water's role in molecular interactions, whether in ion hydration, water network formation on aromatic systems, or microsolvation environments. His research also demonstrates growing interest in nanomaterials, particularly perovskite nanocrystals and their pressure-dependent optical properties. Scientific Awards: Dissertation Award 1999 of the Freundeskreis der Universität Kaiserslautern Wolfgang-Paul-Award 1999 of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Massenspektrometrie Emmy-Noether-Award of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (2002-2005) NSF CAREER Award (2009) Professor Weber directs the Weber Research Group, which has secured substantial funding from multiple agencies including the National Science Foundation (through the JILA Physics Frontier Center), the U.S. Department of Energy, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His research program encompasses several major projects: cryogenic ion spectroscopy studies of ion-receptor interactions, high-pressure response of materials (particularly perovskites), and unambiguous detection of biosignatures for potential life detection missions. The group maintains strong collaborations with other researchers at CU Boulder, including Professor Joel Eaves in Chemistry, and with external institutions including JPL. Professor Weber also contributes to educational outreach through the CU Wizards program, delivering interactive lectures on scientific concepts for K-9 students. The Weber Group operates a sophisticated cryogenic ion spectroscopy facility featuring electrospray ionization, temperature-controlled ion traps (10-300 K), and tunable infrared/UV laser systems coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This apparatus enables the group to perform photodissociation spectroscopy on mass-selected ions, providing detailed vibrational and electronic spectra of molecular systems ranging from simple ion-receptor complexes to biomolecular clusters. The group's research spans multiple interdisciplinary areas including fundamental chemical physics, environmental chemistry (particularly related to water quality), and astrobiology.
- Chemical Physics
- Photochemistry
- Reaction Dynamics
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