Past Seminars & Events

Julia Oktawiec
Materials Science& Engineering
Northwestern University
Abstract

Structural Design of Proteomimetic Materials for Gas Separations and Therapeutics

Proteins have complex structures and dynamics that influence ligand binding. These include allosteric effects and the presentation of organized arrays of functional groups. Inspired by these mechanisms, in this talk I will first describe my efforts towards proteomimetic materials that selectively capture dioxygen. This work found that coupling metal-based electron transfer with secondary coordination sphere effects in a cobalt-based metal–organic framework leads to strong and reversible adsorption of O2. Moderate-strength hydrogen bonding stabilizes a cobalt(III)- superoxo species formed upon O2 adsorption. Notably, O2-binding in this material weakens as a function of loading, as a result of negative cooperativity arising from electronic effects within the extended framework lattice. This behavior extends the tunable properties that can be used to design metal–organic frameworks for adsorption-based applications. 

In the second part of the talk, I will share the development of structural design rules for peptide brush polymers. These systems, generated by graft-through living polymerization, show promise as therapeutic agents and tandem repeat protein mimics. Prior work has focused on polymers composed from disordered peptides, and so conformational information is limited. To obtain greater insight into the structure of these systems and how it is influenced by properties of the peptide brushes, I studied a library of polymers generated from different classes of folded peptides. Spectroscopy and X-ray scattering reveals that modulation of the hydrophobicity and folding of the peptide brush plays an important role in the conformation of the polymer. Molecular dynamics simulations performed by collaborators illuminate this relationship in greater detail, corroborating experimental results. This work provides principles for the design of polymer therapeutics to bind proteins through specific structural interactions.

Julia Oktawiec

Dr. Julia Oktawiec is currently a NIH NRSA postdoctoral research scholar at Northwestern University in Prof. Nathan Gianneschi’s group focusing on the design peptide brush polymers for applications as therapeutics and proteomimetic materials. Originally from New York City, she pursued her undergraduate studies at Columbia University. She obtained her PhD at UC Berkeley under Prof. Jeffrey Long targeting bioinorganic-inspired oxygen adsorption in metal–organic frameworks, graduating in 2019. She is excited about bioinspired materials, their structural design, and mimicking the mechanisms that biology uses to accomplish complex tasks.

Hosted by Professor Ian Tonks

Johannes Morstein
Department of Chemistry
University of California-San Francisco
Abstract

Cracking the Lipid Code with Chemical Biology

Lipids are metabolites with enormous structural and functional diversity. In biological systems, they function as sources of energy, form physical barriers, and orchestrate cellular signaling and trafficking in manifold ways. Because of the large number of lipids, complex metabolic networks, small size, and physicochemical properties, the elucidation of their biological functions has been challenging. I will present on chemical biology approaches that address some of these challenges by expanding our ability to control lipid function with high spatiotemporal precision, to target membrane proteins including Ras, Rho, and Rab GTPases, and to modulate protein-membrane interfaces with novel pharmacology.

Johannes Morstein

Dr. Johannes Morstein is an NCI K99/ R00 Postdoctoral Scholar in the group of Kevan Shokat at the University of California, San Francisco. He studied chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Munich, Germany and conducted visiting research with Chris Chang and John Hartwig in Berkeley. From there he went on to purse a PhD with Dirk Trauner at New York University. His research interests involve chemical biology, organic synthesis, pharmacology, and lipids.

This seminar has been moved from Thursday, 1/11/2024 to Friday, 1/12/2024.

Tyler Pearson
Department of Chemistry
University of Chicago
Abstract

Adventures in synthetic chemistry: from magnetism to organic methods

Synthetic chemistry enables the modulation of molecular structures with atomic precision, thereby providing a valuable platform for answering questions from physics to biology. This seminar will focus on the applications of synthetic chemistry in two different contexts. 

First, I will discuss using synthetic inorganic chemistry as a tool to understand magnetism at the molecular level. In this context, the study of the magnetoelectronic properties of precisely engineered heterobimetallic complexes enabled us to learn about the influence of spin-orbit coupling on the magnetic properties of high-spin transition metal ions both directly and indirectly bound to heavy diamagnetic ions. 

I will then pivot to discussing the development of new synthetic methodologies relevant to applications in discovery chemistry. The discovery, optimization, and applications of a novel site- specific benzene-to-pyridine transformation will form the basis of this discussion.

Tyler Pearson

Dr. Tyler Pearson is currently a postdoctoral scholar in Mark Levin’s group at the University of Chicago. He received his undergraduate degree from Yale University where he did research in homogeneous organometallic catalysis with Nilay Hazari. He then went on to obtain his PhD at Northwestern University working in Danna Freedman’s lab where he was supported by an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. During his PhD, he developed a keen interest in new ways to manipulate the electronic properties of inorganic molecular complexes, particularly those related to magnetism and spin dynamics. Looking to ultimately apply a similar approach to the manipulation of reactivity for applications in organic synthesis, Dr. Pearson sought a postdoctoral appointment where he could gain firsthand experience in developing new and useful organic transformations. 

To that end, he started a postdoctoral appointment in the Levin lab at the University of Chicago, where he has been since 2021. While in the Levin lab, he turned his attention to developing “transmutative” isosteric atom exchanges within aromatic rings. His primary contribution in this space was the development of a site-directable benzene- to-pyridine transformation leveraging a novel oxidative ring contraction.

Hosted by Professor Jessica Hoover

Understanding and embracing an environment of psychological safety

Shari L. Robinson

Shari L. Robinson joined the University of Minnesota as the inaugural DEI Director for CCAPS (College of Continuing and Professional Studies) in April 2023. She comes to us after moving to the Twin Cities in 2020 and after a 2-year faculty appointment at the University of St. Thomas. Shari is a social worker and a linguistic anthropologist by training with over two decades of experience as a faculty member developing and teaching social work courses and professional development trainings on aging, anti-Blackness, anti-racism, queer/trans studies, race, social justice and whiteness, as well as cultural anthropology courses at many colleges and universities across Michigan, Massachusetts, and now Minnesota. Prior to her career in higher education, Shari had over a decade of professional and clinical practice experience working solely with older adults. In her spare, but rare time, Shari enjoys spending time with her many house plants and fish tanks; reading all things Afro-futurism and YA literature which features Black girl mermaids; watching Star Trek runs; cooking (and eating!) all types of food; walking around the many Minnesota lakes, as well as enjoying the rich cultural scene in the Twin Cities and traveling to warm places with her spouse, Jackie.

Samantha Harvey
Department of Chemistry
University of Washington
Abstract

From Synthesis to Spectroscopy: Understanding and Controlling Fundamental Processes in Nanocrystals

At the nanoscale, magnetic, optical, electronic, and thermal processes can differ drastically from their bulk counterparts. These deviations stem from reduced crystalline domains and quantum confinement, leading to physical and chemical properties intricately dependent on size, morphology, and ligand identity as opposed to purely compositional structure. This remarkable tunability, combined with their solution processability, positions colloidal nanocrystals as promising candidates for diverse applications, including photovoltaics, lighting technology, lasers, photocatalysis, spintronics, and quantum-based technologies, among others. It is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding and control over the fundamental processes governing the formation and functionality of these materials. 

In this talk I will share two stories about how carrier dynamics and mechanisms of nanocrystal formation were untangled through my graduate and postdoctoral work. In the first story, we delve into the realm of charge transfer in hybrid inorganic-organic donor-acceptor systems. We investigate charge transfer rates in a series of CdSe nanocrystals coupled with an electron acceptor (naphthalene diimide) using transient absorption techniques. Additionally, through time-resolved EPR experiments, we validate the coherent transfer of spin polarization and determine the energetic splitting between dark and bright states. We also explore the extension of charge separation lifetimes through subsequent hole transfer steps and localization at coinage metal defects. 

The second story centers around ternary copper-based materials. We examine thermal dissipation and carrier dynamics in CuInSe2 nanocrystals while varying the ligand identity. Time-resolved X-ray diffraction measurements reveal that substituting the native oleylamine ligand with a small anion results in significantly increased cooling rates due to an order of magnitude higher interfacial thermal conductivity. The choice of ligand during synthesis also exerts a profound impact on carrier lifetimes and the performance of photovoltaic devices. Lastly, we will take an in-depth look at the formation of magnetic CuCr2Se4 nanocrystals.

Samantha Harvey

Dr. Samantha Harvey earned her B.S. in chemistry from Indiana University. While there she discovered her love of nanomaterials while studying the formation and refractive index sensitivity of Au/Pd bimetallic octopods in Prof. Sara Skrabalak’s research group. She spent a summer doing an NSF REU program at UIUC in Prof. Cathy Murphy’s group towards understanding the synthesis of Au nanorods through a multivariate fractional factorial analysis design of experiments. After graduating from IU, she attended Northwestern University where she received a chemistry Ph.D. under the guidance of Profs. Richard Schaller and Michael Wasielewski. 

Her graduate work focused on ultrafast spectroscopy of semiconductor nanocrystals and covered a range of projects including heat dissipation, ligand modulated carrier dynamics, and magnetic field effects in spin- based systems. Currently she is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Washington in Profs. Daniel Gamelin and Brandi Cossairt’s groups where she has developed a niche for examining the synthesis, doping, and magneto- optical properties of nanocrystalline spinels. She has also collaborated on multiple studies looking at charge transfer in quantum dot – molecular acceptor systems and is expanding into spin processes and data-driven optimization of oxide nanocrystals.

Hosted by Professor Ian Tonks

Tekalign Debela
Department of Chemistry
University of Oregon
Abstract

Defects in earth-abundant layered materials for energy applications

Defects in crystalline structures play a central role in today’s technology, affecting the efficiency and reliability of devices in a variety of applications. These imperfections are particularly important for solar cells, batteries, thermoelectrics, catalysts, quantum computers and many others. It is therefore crucial to study the effects of structural defects on electronic properties in order to develop an application-specific defect engineering strategy. In my talk, I will discuss my computational work on modeling defects in two-dimensional (2D) materials, focusing on their role in improving the catalytic performance of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This work, largely based on experimental collaboration, explores different types of defects, including: chalcogen vacancies, metal adatoms and non-stochiometric defects in TMDs. In addition, I will provide insights into my recent studies on hydrogenic defects in conductive 2D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs are usually formed by connecting organic linkers with metal ions to form a three-dimensional network. During this process, defects can occur that have a significant impact on their properties. In particular, I will discuss how the hydrogen interstitials and vacancies, a process that is not easily observed in experiments, can be manipulated to change the properties of this material. These hydrogen-induced defects in MOFs are likely to be widespread and can be strategically utilized to alter the overall properties of these materials. This knowledge opens up new possibilities in materials science, particularly in the development of materials with tailored properties for specific applications.

Tekalign Debela

Dr. Tekalign T. Debela is currently a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Oregon, working in the groups of Prof. Christopher H. Hendon and Prof. Shannon W. Boettcher in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His research focuses on the application of density functional theory to unravel the mechanisms of water dissociation at metal oxide/water interfaces and on the modeling of defects in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). From 2017 to 2021, he was a research professor at Jeonju University, South Korea, where he focused on the computational design of layered materials for energy applications as part of the “Brain Pool” fellowship. Dr. Debela obtained his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Zhejiang University (China) in 2014. As part of his doctoral studies, he worked intensively on molecular dynamics simulations, particularly the study of nucleation and crystallization processes in metallic melts. His education began in Ethiopia, where he earned a BSc and MSc in Physics from Arba Minch University and Addis Ababa University, respectively.

Hosted by Professor Ilja Siepmann

Kevin Carter-Fenk
University of California, Berkeley
Abstract

Exploiting the Butterfly Effect: How Choice Affects Change in Computational Spectroscopy

As spectroscopic technologies become more advanced, the exploration of photochemical processes in molecular systems provides increasingly intricate insights into the interplay of molecular interactions, elucidating the foundations of macroscopic structures, unraveling the mechanisms of charge transport crucial for designing solar energy materials, and even paving the way for innovative approaches to biological radiation therapies. Harnessing the predictive capabilities of quantum chemistry can provide a powerful toolkit to clarify and inform experimental results. However, common computational methods, such as time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), can exhibit dramatic errors that limit the utility of the calculated spectra. These errors are particularly pronounced for electronic excitations that significantly alter the charge distribution such as charge-transfer excitations and the core-to- valence transitions that are probed with x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). In this seminar, we will explore the hypothesis that these errors can be mitigated by choosing alternative initial reference orbitals for the excited-state calculation. By deviating from the usual ground-state molecular orbital reference, we aim to construct excited state methods that markedly enhance the accuracy of results compared to conventional TDDFT spectra for various excitation classes. We will take a journey through direct optimization methods such as State-Targeted Energy Projection (STEP) that attempt to optimize non-Aufbau solutions to the mean- field problem, to response theories like electron-affinity TDDFT (EA-TDDFT) that offer powerful solutions to the computational XAS problem by using core-ionized reference densities. Our exploration will take us from applying STEP to directly simulate the inception of hydrated electrons that are produced by charge-transfer-to- solvent excitations in I - (aq), to using EA-TDDFT alongside XAS to decipher the interplay of electronic and nuclear structure in liquids and prototypical photocatalysts.

Kevin Carter-Fenk

Dr. Kevin Carter-Fenk is an NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellow working with Professor Martin Head-Gordon at UC Berkeley on various topics related to the quantum chemistry of biological systems. Lately he has been working on new time- dependent density functional theory methods for the accurate and efficient calculation of X-ray absorption spectra. Another interest of Carter-Fenk’s is to make computationally tractable wave function approaches like many-body perturbation theory more useful in extended systems with a small band gap.

Hosted by Professor David Blank

Arkajit Mandal
Department of Chemistry
Columbia University
Abstract

Quantum Dynamics of Light and Matter between Two Mirrors

Placing molecules and materials between mirrors (or inside optical cavities) can enable the generation of exciting new chemical and physical phenomena in a highly controllable manner. In this talk, I will share a few of our theoretical works that demonstrate how photons can play the roles of a catalyst, a solvent, a quantum degree of freedom, beyond their usual role as a source of energy, to modify the chemical and physical properties of molecules and materials that are coupled to quantized radiation. First, I will discuss how quantum light-matter interactions can be utilized to modify the photochemistry of molecules and how a single photon can act as a catalyst to initiate multiple chemical reactions, leading to a quantum yield of more than one. Second, I will share our theoretical work that investigates how coupling molecular vibrations to vacuum radiation inside optical cavities can suppress or enhance the cleavage of specific chemical bonds, as seen in several recent experiments. I will share our theories that reveal that photons can act like solvents to enhance or suppress ground-state chemical kinetics. Next, I will show that quantum light- matter interactions can modify exciton-phonon interactions and can lead to the suppression of phonon-mediated decoherence. This enables fast ballistic transport in materials that are coupled to cavity radiation. I will share experimental results from our collaborators that confirm our theoretical predictions. Finally, I will share our theoretical framework, the quasi-diabatic propagation scheme, that allows for performing on-the-fly ab-initio quantum dynamics simulations, enabling us to investigate a wide range of problems, from photochemistry to polariton chemistry and beyond.

Arkajit Mandal

Dr. Arkajit is a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia University, working with Prof. David R. Reichman. At Columbia, he is developing theoretical tools to understand and predict new physical effects that emerge when coupling material with a quantized radiation field inside an optical cavity. He is also actively collaborating with experimentalists at Columbia to realize these effects. Prior to this, Arkajit was a graduate student working with Prof. Pengfei Huo at the University of Rochester, where he obtained his Ph.D. in 2021. At Rochester, he developed new quantum dynamics methods and investigated new chemical reactivities enabled by coupling molecules to cavities.

Hosted by Professor Renee Frontiera

Professor Kade Head-Marsden
Department of Chemistry
Washington University in St. Louis
Abstract

Quantum information science as a playground for quantum chemists

There is an exponential cost to obtaining molecular electronic information pertinent to important processes such as catalysis, photosynthesis, and energy transfer. While quantum computing has shown early promise for reducing the scaling of these problems, practical realization of this promise remains challenging. The primary challenge arises due to the noise experienced by the quantum computer, limiting the size and complexity of possible algorithms and thus restricting the scope of possible applications. Detrimental noise occurs because qubits, the base unit of quantum computation, are fundamentally open quantum systems interacting with their environments. As we navigate this noisy quantum era, we need use-cases for the hardware we have access to now, along with creative paths forward. Here, I will discuss my group’s on- going efforts to utilize current quantum computers to simulate or emulate open quantum system dynamics, which are chemically relevant to processes such as molecular relaxation and excitonic energy transport, among others. I will also discuss an exploration of alternative computing platforms, based on molecular systems, and describe our efforts to model their electronic structure and potential as viable qubits.

Kade Head-Marsden

Professor Kade Head-Marsden is an assistant professor of chemistry at Washington University in St. Louis. She received her B.Sc. from McGill University in Mathematics and Chemistry, her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in theoretical chemistry, and she was a postdoctoral fellow in the Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University. Her research group focuses on developing methods to treat static and dynamic electronic structure using both classical and quantum mechanical computational resources.

Hosted by Professor Sapna Saupria

Jan-Niklas Boyn
Department Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Princeton University
Abstract

From Reduced Density Matrix Methods to Multi-Level Embedding: Elucidating Fundamental Interactions Governing Quantum Materials and Carbon Mineralization

For the precise and tractable computation of molecular electronic properties and processes, it is essential to develop quantum mechanical methods that include electron correlation, as well as extended structural and dynamic effects at affordable computational cost. In the first part of this seminar, I will review recent advances in the development of reduced-density-matrix (RDM) based theories, which enable accurate computation of electronic structure without explicit consideration of an electronic wavefunction, offering lower scaling alternatives to wavefunction-based theories. I will demonstrate their ability to elucidate fundamental interactions from which novel electronic and magnetic properties emerge in multi-metallic open-shell transition metal complexes. In the second part of the seminar, I will discuss how multi-level quantum embedding simulations, harnessing both correlated wavefunction theories and molecular dynamics, may be utilized to describe dynamic processes occurring in solution. Focus will lie on the atomic-level processes governing carbonate mineralization, a promising strategy for carbon capture and storage.

Jan-Niklas Boyn

Dr. Jan-Niklas Boyn is a postdoctoral research associate in Prof. Emily Carter’s group in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University. His research utilizes multi-level embedding simulations to elucidate atomic- level processes pertaining to carbon capture. He received a MChem from the University of Oxford, where he carried out research in computational organic chemistry under Prof. Robert Paton, and a Ph.D. in theoretical chemistry from the University of Chicago in Prof. David Mazziotti’s group, developing reduced density matrix based electronic structure methods.

Hosted by Professor Sapna Sarupria