Northwestern University nanoscientist Nathan Gianneschi, PhD, has been fascinated by the interaction of the organic and the synthetic since the start of his career. His lab’s discoveries have led to the development of synthetic melanin and polymers that can mimic cells. In this episode, he shares more about the potential biomedical applications of his research, the interdisciplinary partnerships that make his work possible and where to look for the future of nanotechnology.

Omar Farha is a top chemist whose pioneering work in metal-organic frameworks, known as MOFs, is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in nanotechnology in critical industrial sectors such energy, environmental sustainability and national defense. In this episode, Farha, the new chair of the Northwestern University Department of Chemistry, talks about MOFs vast applications in nanotechnology and how he has been able to successfully transition research on MOFs to commercial markets. He also discusses how members of the International Institute for Nanotechnology at Northwestern University are leading “what science can do for humanity.”

Guest: Omar Farha, Chair of the Department of Chemistry, Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor in Chemistry, Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering (Courtesy Appointment)

Hosts: Seth Zimmerman, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, IIN and Erin Spain, MS, Podcaster and Science Communicator

In a short amount of time, nanotechnology has become one of the most important scientific fields of the 21st century, promising to solve some of our world's most pressing challenges. Northwestern’s International Institute for Nanotechnology continues to produce many leading edge discoveries in the field and has become home to some of the most productive nanotechnology researchers in the world. In this episode, Milan Mrksich, one of the world's leading engineers working at the interface between materials and biology and a member of the IIN Steering Committee, explains Northwestern's commitment to this multi-billion dollar field and shares some power discoveries taking place in this space at Northwestern.

Guest: Milan Mrksich, Henry Wade Rogers Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Professor of Chemistry, Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology

Hosts: Seth Zimmerman, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, IIN and Erin Spain, MS, Podcaster and Science Communicator