First name,Last name,Preferred title,Overview,Position,Department,Individual
John,Gladysz,Distinguished Professor,"My research has traditionally been centered around organometallic chemistry, and from this core area branches into catalysis, organic synthesis, enantioselective reactions, stereochemistry, mechanism, and materials chemistry. About half of my group is involved with catalysis projects. Areas receiving emphasis include (a) structurally novel new families of highly enantioselective catalysts, (b) metal-containing ""organocatalysts"" and (c) recoverable catalysts, particularly those with ""ponytails"" of the formula (CH2)m(CF2)nF; these can be recycled via ""fluorous"" liquid or solid phases, such as Teflon. The other half of my group synthesizes organometallic building blocks for molecular devices. These include (a) molecular wires composed of metal endgroups and linear (sp) carbon chains, including stable species with C28 bridges, (b) analogs in which the charge-transmitting bridges are insulated by a pair of polymethylene or (CH2)n chains that adopt a double-helical conformation, (c) polygons and multistranded molecular wires based upon such building blocks, and (d) molecular gyroscopes and compasses consisting of a rotating MLn fragment and an external cage (stator) that insulates the rotator from neighboring molecules, exactly as with the commercial gyroscopes used for aircraft and space-station navigation.",Faculty Affiliate||Distinguished Professor,Energy Institute||Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n05e5403e
Donald,Darensbourg,Distinguished Professor,"The fundamentally interesting and challenging chemistry associated with carbon dioxide, coupled with its high potential as a source of chemical carbon, provides adequate justification for comprehensive investigations in this area. In our research program we have attempted to establish a clearer mechanistic view of carbon-hydrogen, carbon-carbon, and carbon-oxygen bond forming processes resulting from carbon dioxide insertion into M-H, M-C, and M-O bonds.
Relevant to the latter process our research has addressed the utilization of carbon dioxide in the development of improved synthetic routes for the production of polycarbonates. The hazardous and expensive production process currently in place industrially for these materials involves the interfacial polycondensation of phosgene and diols, accentuates the need for these studies. Although we and others have made significant advances in the synthesis of these useful thermoplastics from carbon dioxide and epoxides much of the fundamental knowledge concerning the reaction kinetics of these processes is lacking, due in part to the practical challenges associated with sampling and analyzing systems at elevated temperatures and pressures. This information is needed for making this process applicable to the synthesis of a variety of copolymers possessing a range of properties and uses. Our studies are examining in detail the mechanistic aspects of metal catalyzed carbon dioxide/epoxide coupling reactions employing in situ spectroscopy methods. For this purpose Fourier-transform infrared attenuated total refluctance (FTIR/ATR) spectroscopy is being utilized. Other related investigations involve the development of structural and reactivity models for the industrially prevalent double metal cyanide catalysts(DMC) used in polyethers and polycarbonate synthesis from epoxides or CO2/epoxides, respectively.",Distinguished Professor||Faculty Affiliate,Energy Institute||Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n06bf3bf8
Francois,Gabbai,Professor,"Our research is concerned with the chemistry of both organic and organometallic polyfunctional Lewis acids. While an important component of our work deals with the synthesis of new examples of such polyfunctional Lewis acids, it is our ultimate intent to harness and utilize the cooperative effects occurring in such systems for the discovery of unusual structures, bonding modes, supramolecules and reactivities. Our research efforts present important ramifications in the domain of molecular recognition, supramolecular materials and catalysis.",Faculty Affiliate||Professor,Energy Institute||Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n0d5d68bb
Timothy,Devarenne,Associate Professor,"We study the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the control of programmed cell death (PCD) in plants and how PCD is manipulated during plant-pathogen interactions. Specifically we study the interaction between tomato and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) the causative agent of bacterial spot disease. Resistance to this disease is conferred by the host Pto serine/threonine protein kinase which recognizes Pst strains expressing the type III effector protein AvrPto.
PCD is induced during both resistant and susceptible plant-pathogen interactions. In the case of a resistant interaction, PCD induced by the plant, known as the hypersensitive response (HR), and acts to limit the spread of the pathogen. In susceptible plant-pathogen interactions plant PCD is induced by the pathogen after infection leading to death of the host. Studies have indicated that the genes controlling host PCD during the HR are the same genes that are manipulated by the pathogen during susceptible interactions. The difference lies in the timing of controlling the activity of these genes; HR PCD occurs within 12 hours of pathogen recognition while pathogen-induced PCD occurs several days after infection.
Many of these genes that control plant PCD are serine/threonine (S/T) protein kinase. We are interested in studying a specific class of S/T protein kinases that control PCD in plants called AGC kinases and how they are regulated in both resistant and susceptible plant-pathogen interactions. Additionally, when plants are not attacked by pathogens, PCD is a process that requires constant control so that cell death does not occur. We are looking at the signaling mechanisms and pathways employed to keep PCD under check in non-pathogen challenged plants.",Faculty Affiliate||Associate Professor,Energy Institute||Biochemistry and Biophysics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n11411275
Stratos,Pistikopoulos,Professor,"The objective of my research programme is to develop fundamental theory and optimization based methodologies and computational tools that enable process engineers to analyze, design and evaluate process manufacturing systems which are economically attractive, energy efficient and environmentally benign, while at the same time exhibit good performance characteristics like flexibility, controllability, robustness, reliability and safety.",Director||Professor,Energy Institute||Chemical Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n1aaac28f
Virender,Sharma,Professor,"My research focuses on (1) chemistry and application of ferrates, (2) formation, fate, and toxicity of silver and gold engineered and natural nanoparticles in aquatic environment, (3) applications of ferrites to destroy toxins and pollutants under solar light, and apply carbon-based materials to remediate contaminated water",Faculty Affiliate||Professor,Energy Institute||Environmental and Occupational Health,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n28508dfb
James,Batteas,Professor,"The research in our group is organized around three main projects: nanoscale materials and devices, biological surfaces and interfaces and nanotribology,
with the overarching goal of developing custom engineered surfaces and interfaces. This requires obtaining a fundamental (molecular level) understanding of the underlying chemistry and physics of the systems in question to afford rational approaches to test and develop new technologies. In much of our research we employ a range of scanned probe microscopies such as scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to probe structure and to manipulate materials at the nanoscale.",Faculty Affiliate||Professor||Faculty Fellow||D. Wayne Goodman Professor of Chemistry,Center for Health Systems and Design||Energy Institute||Chemistry||Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n413d1dff
Maria,King,Research Associate Professor,"My interdisciplinary studies focus on the development of the wetted wall cyclone aerosol collector technology to monitor potential health hazards and improve surveillance efforts by collecting aerosols released from agricultural and industrial facilities and modeling particle dispersion. Within a coal mining industry study we aim to determine the influence of particle size distribution, chemical composition and morphology of airborne respirable mine dusts and diesel particulates on lung disease. My projects involve fluid mechanics, computational flow modeling and metagenomics to study biofilms in oil fields and nuclear reactors and mitigate microbial contamination in drilling equipment, hydraulic fracturing water and cooling systems.",Assistant Professor||Faculty Affiliate||Faculty Affiliate,Biological and Agricultural Engineering||Energy Institute||Institute for Engineering Education and Innovation,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n44870816
Laszlo,Kish,Professor,Unsolved problems of random noise; Unconditionally secure communications over the wire; KLJN key exchanger; Noise-based logic and computation; Fluctuation-enhanced sensing; SEPTIC bacterium detection method; 1/f noise; Noise in high-Tc superconductors; Conductance noise at percolation; Noise spectrum in self-organized criticality; Stochastic resonance; Nanomaterials and structures; Lognormal distribution; Neuronal firing dynamics; Originality in scientific research; Physical informatics; Energy dissipation in computing and communications; Non-validity of the Landauer theorem; Information versus thermal entropy; etc.,Faculty Affiliate||Professor,Energy Institute||Electrical and Computer Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n4e482d22
Jorge,Seminario,Professor,"Dr. Seminario's research covers several aspects of nanotechnology such as the analysis, design, and simulation of systems and materials of nanometer dimensions--especially those needed for development and systems for energy, nanosensors and nanoelectronics. Among his recent goals is the design of smaller, cleaner, more efficient and faster devices for energy production and storage as well as for detection of chemical, biological and nuclear agents. He has developed new scenarios for nanodevice architectures using a multiscale and multidisciplinary approach that progresses from the atomistic level to the final product, guided by first principles calculations.",Faculty Affiliate||Professor,Energy Institute||Chemical Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n563c3880
Marcetta,Darensbourg,Distinguished Professor,"Bio-inspired Catalysts for Hydrogen Production: The ultimate, home-run, goal of our work is to synthesize and develop a robust, highly active hydrogen-producing catalyst comprised of earth-abundant transition metals within a ligand environment that is inspired by the biological Figure 3hydrogenase (H2ase) enzyme active sites. Progress in precise structural modeling of the illusive ""rotated"" structure displayed in the as-isolated, mixed-valent FeIIFe state in the past decade has permitted in depth analysis of electronic structure by Mo ssbauer, EPR (ENDOR), and computational chemistry. New electrocatalysts for hydrogen production: The connection between the Fe(NO)2 unit and the Fe(CX)3 (X = O or N) unit found in hydrogenase enzyme active sites offers opportunity for design of new catalysts, one of which is shown. In this regard we explore the ability of N2S2 metal complexes to bind as metallodithiolate ligands to various metal acceptors. The properties of such complexes vary The connection of these to light harvesting molecules for dye sensitized, sacrificial electron donor, hydrogen production is also of interest. When Iron Meets Nitric Oxide: Good Chemistry, Intriguing Biology. The affinity of iron for diatomic molecules, O2, CO, N2, and NO, is central to the most important of life processes, including those of human physiology. Figure 6In this research area we target synthetic chemistry involving dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) that serve as biomimetics of products of FeS cluster degradation by excesses of NO, or as derived from the chelatable iron pool (CIP) in cells. The electronic ambivalence of the DNIC unit is expressed in the ease with which it interconverts between oxidized and reduced forms, {Fe(NO)2}9 and {Fe(NO)2}10, respectively (Enemark/Feltham notation), and serves as impetus to explore analogous reactions known to involve the CuII/CuI redox couple. The accessory ligands which stabilize one redox level over the other, including N-heterocyclic carb",Distinguished Professor||Faculty Affiliate,Energy Institute||Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n6f445741
Micah,Green,Professor,,Professor||Faculty Affiliate,Energy Institute||Chemical Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n7276eb81
Kung-Hui (Bella),Chu,Professor,"Our research interests are in enhancing our understanding of microbial-mediated processes in natural and engineered systems, and in application and development of biotechnology to address various environmental challenges in water, soils, and energy. The Chu lab applies molecular biology, isotopic techniques, chemical analysis, and phage biology to study environmental and biological systems, with focuses on (i) microbial ecology, fate and transport, biodegradation of environmental pollutants such as emerging contaminants and persistent organic pollutants, (ii) production of biofuels and bioproducts from renewable resources, and (iii) detection, tracking, and quantification of microorganisms that play roles in water quality, bioremediation, carbon sequestration and nitrogen cycle in the environment. Other research areas include development and application of novel sorbents and catalysts (bio and non-bio) for removing and/or monitoring emerging environmental pollutants.",Faculty Affiliate||Professor,Civil Engineering||Energy Institute,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n7a373eec
Arum,Han,Professor,"His research interests are in solving grand challenge problems in the broad areas of health and energy through the use of micro/nano systems technologies. His work in these areas has focused on the development of in vivo like in vitro systems through microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technologies (e.g., organ-on-a-chip & microphysiological systems, developmental neurobiology models of the central nervous system, blood-brain-barrier-on-a-chip, gastrointestinal tract-on-a-chip, high throughput live cell arrays), development of high throughput single-cell physio-chemical analysis platforms, and development of microbial systems as biorefineries for bioelectricity and biofuel production while simultaneously utilizing wastewater.
He has co-authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and has received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Qatar National Research Foundation (QNRF), and several other international sponsors and private companies. He currently serves as the editorial board member of the journal PLoS ONE and as an associate editor for the journal Biomedical Microdevices.",Professor||Faculty Affiliate,Energy Institute||Electrical and Computer Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n8289e950
Mohammed,Al-Hashimi (FRSC),Engineering Professor,"Dr. M. Al-Hashimi has extensive experience in organic polymers with a focus on the design and synthesis of organic semiconductor materials for a range of optoelectronic applications, including field effect transistors, photovoltaic devices, light emitting diodes and sensors. His other interests center on the development of well-defined novel polymeric materials for Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerisation (ROMP) and synthesis of recoverable, reusable homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts.",Faculty Affiliate,Energy Institute,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n87f91e74
Hae-Kwon,Jeong,Professor,"Development of novel methodologies to design, modify, deposit and microfabricate nanostructured materials and to build them into hierarchical structures and complex forms for wide ranges of applications including separation membranes, selective catalysts, adsorbents as well as micro systmes, fuel cells, bio-separation, micro photonics, etc.",Faculty Affiliate||Professor,Energy Institute||Chemical Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n8c079637
Hongcai,Zhou,Professor,"Research topics: Energy Storage for Transportation, Supramolecular Chemistry, Hydrogen and Methane Storage, Carbon Dioxide Capture, Clean-Energy-Related Separation, Metal-Organic Frameworks, Mesh-Adjustable Molecular Sieves, Mesoporous Materials, Biomimetic Synthesis.","Professor, Affiliated Faculty||Faculty Affiliate",Energy Institute||Materials Science and Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n8c5a2ac9
Yossef,Elabd,Professor,,Professor||Faculty Affiliate,Energy Institute||Chemical Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n94839ce3
Jun,Kameoka,Professor,"My research focuses on Biosensor, chemical sensor, microfluidics.",Faculty Affiliate||Professor,Energy Institute||Electrical and Computer Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/na22e6ad9
Perla,Balbuena,Professor,,University Distinguished Professor||Faculty Affiliate||Professor,Energy Institute||Chemical Engineering||Chemical Engineering,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nb82a0bc7
Michael,Nippe,Associate Professor,"Our research focuses on inorganic molecular approaches to contribute to the development of novel systems for solar to energy conversion, small molecule activation, and molecules for information storage. Synthetic methods build the foundation of the group and are complimented by a broad array of spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques.
We are seeking students who are interested in creative inorganic synthesis, structure-function relationships in catalysis, electronic structure of heterometallic d-block/f-block complexes, and molecular species with unusual charges.",Faculty Affiliate||Associate Professor,Energy Institute||Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nbcad74f5
Janet,Bluemel,Professor,"Major research interests in my group include (1) immobilized catalysts, (2) the surface chemistry of oxide materials and (3) solid-state NMR spectroscopy.
Immobilized catalysts (1) allow the advantages of heterogeneous catalysts to be combined with those of homogeneous catalysts. In particular, surface-immobilized homogeneous catalysts are easy to recycle, and can be highly active and selective. Furthermore they are amenable to systematic design. We find the most interesting results when heterobimetallic systems, such as the Sonogashira Pd/Cu catalyst for the coupling of aryl halides and terminal alkynes, are involved. Effective immobilization requires a thorough understanding of the surface chemistry of the oxide support materials (2). Therefore, we investigate not only the reactivity of metal complexes and linkers, but also their mobility on the surfaces.
The most powerful analytical tool for investigating amorphous materials is solid-state NMR spectroscopy (3). We optimized this method especially for surface-bound species, enabling us to study reactions on surfaces, or analyze the nature of our anchored linkers and catalysts.
These different research areas provide my students with a strong multidisciplinary background, spanning from synthetic chemistry, through materials sciences and catalysis, to surface analytical methods including solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Our expertise in these fields has led to many industrial contacts and collaborations.",Faculty Affiliate||Professor,Energy Institute||Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/ne3b7e44f
Lei,Fang,Associate Professor,"The multi-disciplinary research programs in the Fang Group will focus on the bottom-up synthesis and processing of novel organic polymer materials -- namely, ladder and coplanar polymers, as well as microporous polymer networks -- for the applications on electronics and energy conversion/storage. Our thrust will be to gain profound understanding on the structure-property relationship of these materials at both the molecular and the macroscopic levels by employing the toolboxes of synthetic chemistry and device engineering. With this knowledge, we aim to establish a series of synthetically feasible, high performing, processable organic carbon-based material systems for field effect transistors, light emitting diodes, solar cells, supercapacitors, and batteries, and to be at the forefront in the enhancement of their efficiencies.",Faculty Affiliate||Associate Professor||Associate Professor,Energy Institute||Materials Science and Engineering||Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/ne3bd8752
David,Bergbreiter,Professor,"Our group explores new chemistry related to catalysis and polymer functionalization using the tools and precepts of synthetic organic chemistry to prepare functional oligomers or polymers that in turn are used to either effect catalysis in a greener, more environmentally benign way or to more efficiently functionalize polymers. Often this involves creatively combining the physiochemical properties of a polymer with the reactivity of a low molecular weight compound to form new materials with new functions. These green chemistry projects involve undamental research both in synthesis and catalysis but has practical aspects because of its relevance to practical problems.
A common theme in our catalysis studies is exploring how soluble polymers can facilitate homogeneous catalysis. Homogeneous catalysts are ubiquitously used to prepare polymers, chemical intermediates, basic chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Such catalysts often use expensive or precious metals or expensive ligands or are used at relatively high catalyst loadings. The products often contain traces of these catalysts or ligands - traces that are undesirable for esthetic reasons or because of the potential toxicity of these impurities. Both the cost of these catalysts of these issues require catalyst/product separation - separations that often are inefficient and lead to chemical waste. These processes also use volatile organic solvents - solvents that have to be recovered and separated. Projects underway in our lab explore how soluble polymers can address each of these problems. Examples of past schemes that achieve this goal in a general way as highlighted in the Figure below.
We also use functional polymers to modify existing polymers. Ongoing projects involve molecular design of additives that can more efficiently modify polymers' physical properties. We also use functional polymers in covalent layer-by-layer assembly to surface polymers' surface chemistry.",Faculty Affiliate||Professor,Energy Institute||Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nf01e95dd
Jaime,Grunlan,Professor,"Broadly speaking, our research is focused on polymers and nanocomposites with protective properties that rival metals and ceramics, while maintaining beneficial polymer mechanical behavior. We are particularly interested in the development of multifunctional surfaces prepared using the layer-by-layer assembly and polyelectrolyte complexation. Nearly everything we produce is water-based and sustainable polymers and nanoparticles are also important. We are very active in gas/moisture barrier for food packaging and environmentally benign flame retardant treatments for foam, fabric, wood, etc. Heat shielding for hypersonics, antimicrobial, and anti-corrosion coatings are also of interest.",Faculty Affiliate||Professor||Professor||Professor,Mechanical Engineering||Energy Institute||Materials Science and Engineering||Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nf6b135dd
David,Powers,Professor,"Catalysis lies at the heart of many unmet chemical challenges. Research efforts in our group focus on development of new catalytic chemistry to impact both chemical synthesis as well as chemical storage of solar energy. Projects span organic, organometallic, and inorganic chemistries and rely on the tools of modern synthetic chemistry and spectroscopy, as well as advanced characterization techniques supported at synchrotron X-ray sources. Representative research interests include: shape-selective catalysis, solar energy storage in organic solar-thermal flow batteries, and aerobic oxidation chemistry for C-H functionalization reactions. We are seeking students who wish to gain expertise in synthetic chemistry and reaction mechanism elucidation.",Professor||Faculty Affiliate,Energy Institute||Chemistry,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nfa6c8878