This week’s faculty highlight is on Dr. Gaël Ung!

Background: Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego with Prof. Guy Bertrand; Postdoc at the California Institute of Technology with Prof. Jonas C. Peters

Current position: Assistant Professor at UConn Storrs. He has been here since 2016 and loves the collegial environment with the students and faculty.

Research specialties: Organic and inorganic chemistry

Research focus: We are synthesizing molecules that emit polarized luminescence. This next-generation light has extra chiral information that can be utilized to enhance anti-counterfeiting devices, develop new biological sensors, or create the next-generation 3D displays. Check out below for a couple of their recent publications!

https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC06568D

https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201913672

Advice to students: Be curious, be passionate, don’t be afraid of making mistakes, and don’t doubt your ability to learn new things.

Fun facts: Dr. Ung likes to play soccer and board games. He also enjoys doing archery when it isn’t too cold or windy (unfortunately rare here!)

To learn more, check out his group on Twitter @Ung_Group or at https://ung.chem.uconn.edu/