Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Assistant Professors Hsing-Ta Chen, Saurja DasGupta, and Kaiyu Fu have been awarded 2026 National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Awards. CAREER awards are the most prestigious given by NSF in support of early-career faculty members, intended to support their development as role models in research and education.
Hsing-Ta Chen seeks to pioneer new approaches to harness the interactions between light and molecules, important for electronics and solar cell applications, through his award entitled “Novel Theoretical Tools for Dynamics of Interacting Light-Matter Systems”. At the quantum scale, light and molecules are continually exchanging energy, but there is still a great deal unknown about the mechanisms of these interactions and how to control them. Chen will develop a unified theoretical framework that can better characterize these interactions, allowing for improved control and charge carrier transport. This award will also enable him to create a specialized electromagnetism curriculum unit, AI-powered learning tools, and open-source software for use in undergraduate classrooms. Chen joined the faculty at Notre Dame in 2022 after completing his BS and MS at National Taiwan University, PhD at Columbia University, and postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania.
Saurja DasGupta will investigate how RNA molecules could have facilitated the emergence of the first self-replicating cells with his award: “Reconstructing Primordial Life of the Lost RNA World.” By building simplified models of primitive cells, he will advance the understanding of chemical events that lead to cell growth, division, and competition with other cells. These models will also lead to the creation of self-replicating synthetic cells that can be used to sustainably manufacture materials, therapeutics, and other goods. DasGupta will also use the award to improve science communication through writing workshops, a course on public scientific engagement, and the creation of a graphic novel on early life. DasGupta joined the faculty at Notre Dame in 2024 after completing his BSc at the University of Calcutta, MSc at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, MS and PhD at the University of Chicago, and postdoctoral training at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
Kaiyu Fu will develop new, highly precise measurement tools able to distinguish between similar small molecules in complex environments with his award: “Integrating Nanoconfined Interfaces and Aptamer Switches for Autonomous, Electrochemical Imaging of Chemical Analogs.” Many compounds of interest in medicine, biology, environmental monitoring, and manufacturing are very similar in structure and/or are part of very complex mixtures. Using nanoscale materials and molecular recognition switches, Fu will create electrochemical sensor platforms for applications in precision medicine, drug monitoring, and environmental sensing, capable of detecting very small chemical differences in these challenging environments. Additionally, Fu will develop a new AI, Chemistry, and Electronics Education Program centered on hands-on, shorter modules, demonstrations, and mentoring to broaden exposure to modern analytical chemistry and biotechnology. Fu joined the faculty at Notre Dame in 2022 after completing his BE at Sichuan University, MS at Fudan University, PhD at the University of Notre Dame, and postdoctoral training at Stanford University.