Grp photo 2025 Fall

Our research focus can be summarized as analytical surface-science. Nearly all of our research is based on measurements of chemical interactions with surfaces, and most of our instrumentation is specifically designed to examine interfacial phenomena. If you've ever wondered why oil spreading on water looks like a rainbow, why you can only make sand castles with wet sand, or how Rain-X® keeps your windshield so clean, you might be interested in our work. We use precice measurements of chemical behaviors to create new, fundamental understanding of these types of questions to address important challenges in environmental remediation, materials development, and energy science. 

Detailed descriptions of our research projects and some laboratory pictures can be found within this website.  If you have questions, feel free to send us an email or arrange a visit to our lab.  Follow us on Twitter @shawschem (group) or @shawchem (Prof Shaw)

Research for All

The Shaw group accepts that scientific advancement suffers without participation from all varied communities. We proactively engage all people regardless of status or ability. We acknowledge institutional challenges within the sciences, both for and against, certain groups of people. To counter this and provide clearer pathways to success, we work to create an inviting and enjoyable environment to do, and share, good science for all. Through formal training and informal interactions, we continuously strive to improve ourselves while advocating for each others’ success. We hope our efforts will support positive changes within our field.

 

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Departmental Events

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar:  Reza Nejadnik, PhD promotional image

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar: Reza Nejadnik, PhD

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 11:30am
College of Pharmacy Building

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) in the College of Pharmacy will host a seminar presented by: 

Reza Nejadnik, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics
University of Iowa

Seminar Title: "From Molecular Properties to Therapeutic Performance: Building a Research Program in Biologic Therapeutics"

All are welcome to attend. No pre-registration required.

Graduate & Professional Students: Let's Do Lunch!

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Sciences Library
Bring your academic interests to the table and engage with fellow graduate and professional students in a casual, supportive environment.

Three Month Seminar- Peter Zacher (Daly Group)

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 12:30pm
Chemistry Building

"Assessing Metal-Borohydride Covalency Using Spectroscopy and Solution Thermodynamics"

Learn to Solder: Fundamentals

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 3:30pm to 4:20pm
Seamans Center
Learn the basics of electronics and soldering by building your own glowing creepy-crawly bug.

Final Thesis Defense- Thomas Chiarella (Williams)

Friday, September 18, 2026 1:00pm
Chemistry Building
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