Michael Lerch

Michael’s research builds on extensive cross-disciplinary expertise in organic synthesis, photo- and supramolecular chemistry, stimuli-responsive soft materials, nano/microfabrication, as well as bio-inspired engineering approaches. Originally Swiss, Michael studied Interdisciplinary Sciences at ETH Zurich (Switzerland) with stints to the University of Cambridge (UK) working on total synthesis and the California Institute of Technology (US) working on Wacker-type oxidations. Subsequent Ph.D. studies (cum laude) at the University of Groningen with Prof. Feringa focussing on photopharmacology and investigating the photoswitching mechanism of a new class of photoswitches, so-called donor-acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASAs). Thanks to a NWO Rubicon fellowship, Michael could pursue postdoctoral research with Prof. Joanna Aizenberg at Harvard University and the WYSS Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering (US) working on bio-inspired elastomers, with a particular focus on equipping such materials with chemical self-regulation capabilities. He is fascinated by nature’s materials and combines his expertise in organic synthesis, supramolecular- and photochemistry with engineering approaches to create hybrid materials with the ability to self-regulate, coordinate their action and communicate.