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With a focus on molecular design and synthesis, our research interest encompasses supramolecular chemistry, organic synthesis, physical chemistry, polymer chemistry, and advanced materials. A central theme of our research will be focused on molecular recognition, where new physical, chemical, optical and mechanical properties emerge from noncovalent interactions. Our research aims to tackle critical societal challenges in energy, health, and environmental sciences. The students will receive multidisciplinary training and have diverse career pathways in academia, industry, and others.

Molecular Recognition

Molecular recognition is ubiquitous in biology and plays a critical role in sustaining complex bioactivities. Synthetic molecular containers with confined nanospaces define receptor-substrate binding in supramolecular systems and control catalysts in chemical reactions. We are interested in exploring new strategies to construct molecular containers that recognize substrates at atomic resolution. The resulting supramolecule systems could lead to new opportunities in advanced materials and next-generation technologies for disease diagnostic and therapy.  

Disease Diagnostic & Therapy

By embracing synthetic receptors for biomolecules and theranostic agents, we aim to fabricate supramolecular systems that facilitate disease diagnostics and therapy. 

Supramolecular Functional Materials 

We aim to develop functional macromolecules by exploring the self-assembly of small molecules and their weak interactions with polymers. The resulting materials will have unconventional mechanical properties that can be applied to separation, biomedical, electronic, and energy-related technologies.

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