Research in the Schultz lab focuses on understanding how the spatial organization of molecules affects their behavior. We utilize laser spectroscopy, including nonlinear spectroscopic methods, and also spectroscopic imaging modalities such as Raman near-field scanning optical microscopy, which is capable of vibrational spectroscopic imaging with a spatial resolution of tens of nanometers.

One area where molecular organization plays an important role is the behavior observed in cellular membranes. We are interested in understanding how the organization of molecules in biomembranes impact biomedical issues such as dysfunctional cellular pathways that cause disease, viral and bacterial infection, and drug delivery. These interactions occur at the nanometer length scale, necessitating the development of new methods.

A second area involves understanding how chemical heterogeneity affects reactivity. Bi-metallic nanoparticles, used as catalysts in fuel cells, often show chemical activity that the individual components do not. Understanding the molecular interactions associated with these composite materials is important for developing new sources of energy. Methods being developed in our lab have the potential to offer new insights into these processes.