Who are we? We are a team of scientists in Fort Collins, CO, at Colorado State University. The PI is Dr. A Ronnie Banerjee. Our team is mostly made up of UG scientists getting their first taste of independent research. We collaborate closely with other research teams both in and outside of CSU.

What do we do? Our research interests lie in the design, synthesis, characterization, and applications – specifically, catalytic and theragnostic applications – of hard and soft nanoscale composite materials generated via novel and sustainable protocols, such as the use of “green” solvents, solventless syntheses, and the like. Dr. Banerjee is also interested in developing and curating CUREs (course UG research experiences) for equitable research exposure available to ALL chemistry students.

Where do we do this? This work is chiefly performed in B310 and B311 of the 'classic' Chemistry Building at the Centre Mall Campus of CSU at Fort Collins, CO. 

Why should you care? Dr. Banerjee delivers extensive one-on-one mentorship because they have seen first-hand how stellar research can be performed by UG scientists. They have successfully trained over twenty UG scientists during their research career, published multiple papers in international scientific journals with UG students as co-authors, and seen novice researchers turn into professional scientists. You can be the next one!

Does the team have an EDI policy? Of course we do! Individuals from under-represented groups are especially encouraged to apply. This includes women, racialized minorities, LGBTQ+ applicants, and applicants with disabilities, as well as first-generation university students (those whose parents do not hold university degrees). Individuals who have faced obstacles that have hindered their education and productivity are encouraged to apply. This includes veterans, mature students, and people continuing their education after an interruption.

Can you tell us a bit more about Ronnie? How long have you got? OK, jokes apart, here goes: Ronnie is a Canadian scientist of Indian origin. Currently, Ronnie is a (relatively new) assistant teaching professor at CSU Fort Collins, where they are continuing their research to gain more insight into the fascinating world of nanomaterials and their role in the universal human aspiration for comfort, if not happiness. After completing their B.Sc. (Chem. Hons.) at Jadavpur University, Ronnie received a West Bengal Merit Fellowship for UG performance and continued their graduate studies at IIT Kharagpur, working with Prof. P. Pramanik on developing novel morphological variations of nano-phospors. After research internships in TIFR Mumbai and Helmholtz Zentrum Fur Umweltforschung (Leipzig, Germany), they were awarded a Dean's Fellowship at the University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, Canada) to work towards a PhD degree under the supervision of Prof. Robert W. J. Scott. Ronnie studied catalytic nanocomposites in tetraalkylphosphonium ionic liquid matrices for reactions such as hydrodeoxygenation, hydrogenation, and oxidation, used in biofuel generation from lignocellulosic biomass. This work was widely recognized, leading to several publications in international journals, as well as research funding from VWR, Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Fellowship, and the Gerhard Herzberg Award, named in the honor of and awarded by the family of the Nobel Laureate Prof. Gerhard Herzberg. Dr. Banerjee also worked at the Canadian Light Source, Canada's only second generation synchroton, at the HXMA, SGM, and SXRMB beamlines, using XAS to shed more light on events happening at the nano-domain during catalytic processes. In 2016, after the completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Banerjee was awarded the highly prestigious Eyes High PDF at the University of Calgary, where they worked with Prof. Simon Trudel, director of the nanoscience program at UCalgary, on functional nanomaterials that combine multiple imaging modalities and are promising multifunctional bionanoprobes. At UCalgary, Dr. Banerjee also received the T. Chen Fong PDF in Medical Imaging in 2017, allowing them to continue this work and file for a patent for a novel bionanoprobe that combines aggregation induced emission with MRI activity. Dr. Banerjee then secured a MITACS Accelerate fellowship to work with the fabulous Trant Team at UWindsor, developing novel nanocomposites of lipophilic phytochemicals, as well as looking into neoteric delivery routes for targeted drug delivery, securing multiple patents and publications. They also patented the design and creation of a novel antimicrobial surface coating for deployment on high-touch surfaces. Dr. Banerjee serves as a reviewer of numerous international scientific journals, and has recently become a Topic Editor at Catalysts. They are currently getting used to being the sole corresponding author in publications, and referring to themselves in the third person.