The Scientist Who Thinks Like a Musician: Nicholas Peppas
Professor Nicholas Peppas has spent five decades defining the field of medical nanotechnology and shaping the very foundations of modern drug delivery. He has been awarded the 2025 Kabiller Prize in nanoscience and nanomedicine by The International Institute for Nanotechnology. The $250,000 award — the world's largest monetary award in the field — recognizes his pioneering research, which has transformed how some of the world’s most difficult diseases are treated. In this episode, Peppas talks about his influential career spanning over five decades and his journey from early polymer research to groundbreaking innovations like oral insulin delivery and his predictions for the future of nanomedicine.
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Bankable Science: Turning Discovery into Durable Energy Tech with Ted Sargent
Ted Sargent is a global leader in nanoscience and materials engineering, and his research at Northwestern University is advancing the field of solar energy harvesting by lowering its cost and increasing its efficiency by using nanoscale materials. His work also includes decarbonization in the chemical and fuel sectors alongside creating next-generation materials for consumer electronics. Sargent is the Lynn Hopton Davis and Greg Davis Professor of Chemistry, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Executive Director, Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy Guest: Ted Sargent Lynn Hopton Davis and Greg Davis Professor of Chemistry, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Executive Director, Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy Hosts: Seth Zimmerman, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, IIN and Erin Spain, MS, Podcaster and Science Communicator
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The Intersection of Nanoscience and Chemistry with Omar Farha, PhD
At the intersection of nanoscience and chemistry, Omar Farha, PhD, Chair of the Department of Chemistry at Northwestern University, is opening up new frontiers in climate resilience, water harvesting, catalysis and more through metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)—versatile structures he describes as smart programmable sponges. In this episode he talks about taking on the role of chair, the legacy of those who came before him at Northwestern and discusses how the IIN is uniquely positioned to continue leading the field of nanotechnology.
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Nanoscale Solutions to Gigaton Problem: Exploring Sustainability with Vinayak Dravid
Everyday items like tea bags and sponges are being reimagined in the lab of Northwestern University’s Vinayak Dravid, who is using nanotechnology to tackle some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. In this episode he explains how his team is using nanotechnology to remove toxic metals in water with brewed tea leaves and soaking up oil spills using a special sponge he invented, and many more ways he is leveraging nature's chemistry and nanotechnology to help solve global problems.
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The Future of Organ Preservation: Nanoscience at Work with Jarad Mason
Once a postdoctoral fellow with Chad Mirkin here at Northwestern University, Jarad Mason now leads his own research group within the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University where his research includes investigating the potential of nanoparticle-loaded water to extend organ viability for transplantation. In this episode he discusses the balance between academia and industry in pushing scientific boundaries, as well as the future directions of his research in energy, sustainability, and biomedical applications.
Acerca de Nanoscape: Exploring the Frontiers Ahead
In the field of nanotechnology, the future is small, and the possibilities are endless. From combating climate change to improving human health, "Nanoscape: Exploring the Frontiers Ahead," introduces you to leading experts in the field who are uncovering nano-sized solutions to some of the most pressing issues impacting our world today. This podcast is produced by the International Institute for Nanotechnology at Northwestern University.
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