Faculty Labs and Research

The Dong Lab develops and applies physics-based and data-driven computational methods to understand multiscale processes, from electronic structures to emergent properties. We use such understandings to develop design strategies for molecules, materials, and processes that matter in renewable energy, biomedicine, quantum information science, and other areas of societal importance.

Photocatalysis captures the energy of light to power chemical transformations. The Sayre Photocatalysis Research Group designs low-energy photocatalysts and investigates the mechanisms of light-activated chemistry. Applications of photocatalysis include solar fuels, pharmaceutical synthesis, plant-based products, and plastic recycling.

The DMAS Research Group is interested in finding alternative techniques to manufacture materials in a more sustainable fashion. We work at the interface of polymer chemistry and materials science, developing cutting-edge technologies based on macromolecules.

The Sherbo Lab is focused on converting abundant and waste gases like CO2 and N2 into foods, fertilizers and fuels. The lab uses two main strategies to accomplish this goal. The first is electrocatalysis, a method of performing chemical reactions like gas reduction using clean electricity. The second is synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, modifying…

The Weng Laboratory explores the origin and evolution of plant specialized metabolism at the enzyme, pathway, and systems levels. We have a broad interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms and functional implications underlying chemical interactions between plants and other organisms, including humans. Leveraging the fundamental knowledge learned from plant metabolism, we devise bioengineering strategies that…

The Mass Spectrometry Facility is a 2,200 sq. ft laboratory space that houses state-of-the-art liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry instrumentation. The lab is operated as a “fee-for-service” resource for Northeastern University and external research investigators. The Facility provides support for mass spectrometry-based molecular profiling applications, including proteomics single cell proteomics, small molecule characterization and quantification.

At the BioInteractive Design Lab, researchers design biology-mediated materials and systems that embed interactions and functions desirable in human products and constructions, such as health diagnostics, pathogen detection, toxin remediation, waste processing, and communication.

The Ivanov Lab is interested in developing separation-and mass spectrometry-based technologies to answer challenging biomedical questions. 

The mission of the REPRODUCE Laboratory is to reverse the human impact on earth’s natural cycles related to water, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus.

The SimBioSys Lab focuses on structure-dynamics modeling of complex biosystems by looking at these through the virtual microscope. The goal of the lab is to solve biomedical problems at the molecular level both from first principles, as well as harnessing data-driven approaches.

The Barecka Lab conducts transformative research that enables the transition toward an economy where the basic human needs for healthcare and hygiene products, materials, and clothing are satisfied through a selective and efficient transformation of carbon dioxide from the air into the next generation of chemical building blocks.

The Agar Lab characterizes post-translational modifications of proteins and changes in protein, peptide, and lipid expression that occur during ALS, and then determines which of these changes have structural or toxic consequences.