About

The Kienzler Lab is broadly interested in using light to induce reversible chemical changes, and we specialize in the application of photoswitches to make light-modulated tools. Our current projects focus on creating and applying azobenzene ligands targeted toward specific cell-membrane bound protein receptors and ion channels. A parallel interest in the group is using organic synthesis to make new azobenzene derivatives (along with other organic photoswitches) with prescribed photochemical properties.

Kienzler Lab News

  • Claire, Emmanuel, and Theo presented their research
    Most of the Kienzler lab attended this year’s ACS-CVS Symposium on Frontiers in Organic Synthesis : Synthetic Chemistry of Value to Industry. Claire, Emmanuel, and Theo presented posters about their research to a spirited crowd of academic and professional chemists.
  • Another Successful MELD (Chemistry Outreach)
    Today was another successful day of chemistry with over 100 students from 8 different Connecticut schools, through UConn’s ECE program. Please read more about it here: https://today.uconn.edu/2024/05/high-school-students-get-hands-on-experience-at-uconn-chemistry-early-college-experience-day/
  • Welcome Anna and Jose!
    The Kienzler lab warmly welcomes two new undergraduate researchers, Anna Coulter and Jose Matute into the lab!