Sources: Nathan Schultheiss, ncschultheiss@gmail.com; and
Christer Aakeroy, 785-532-6096, aakeroy@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-6415, bbohn@k-state.edu
Thursday, June 28, 2007
NEW K-STATE DOCTORAL GRADUATE EARNS FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR AWARD
MANHATTAN -- The opportunity to conduct supramolecular chemistry research in the lab of a Nobel Prize winner will take a new Kansas State University doctoral graduate to France.
Former McPherson resident Nathan Schultheiss, who earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from K-State in May, has received a Fulbright Scholar award from the Alsace Regional Council in France. Schultheiss is going to the Universite Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg, France, where he will conduct postdoctoral research at the university's Institute de Science et d'Ingenierie Supramoleculaires.
Founded in 2000, the institute is co-directed by Jean-Marie Lehn, who won a Nobel Prize in 1987 for his work in supramolecular chemistry.
Working with Lehn is the opportunity of a lifetime for Schultheiss, according to Christer Aakeroy, professor of chemistry at K-State. Schultheiss conducted supramolecular chemistry research in Aakeroy's lab while at K-State.
"Professor Lehn is clearly one of the brightest scientific stars in the world today, and he continues to produce magnificently groundbreaking work," Aakeroy said. "This position will really challenge Nate to excel."
Excel is what Schultheiss did at K-State, Aakeroy said.
"Nate completed his Ph.D. in less than four years. His thesis work has so far produced about 10 articles for publication in international peer-reviewed journals," Aakeroy said. "His research has helped us to understand how different molecules communicate with each other through intermolecular interactions. This communication leads to binding and organization of molecular building blocks, which, in turn, drives many biological events and provides the foundation for properties such as magnetism and catalytic behavior.
"Nate was also able to design and construct several new examples of molecular capsules that, in principle, can be used as tiny, molecular-sized 'test tubes' for very precise chemical reactions, storage devices and selective drug delivery vehicles," Aakeroy said.
Schultheiss, who will be in France from September until the end of May 2008, recently started work for SSCI in West Lafayette, Ind., which has granted him leave to accept the Fulbright award. Owned by Aptuit Inc., SSCI provides comprehensive research and analytical services to the pharmaceutical, specialty, industrial and fine chemical industries in the characterization and chemistry of solid materials.
Along with his doctorate from K-State, Schultheiss earned a bachelor's and a master's in chemistry from Missouri State University, and an associate degree from Barton County Community College. He is the son of John and Jean Schultheiss, McPherson.
The Fulbright Scholar Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, sends 800 U.S. faculty and professionals abroad each year to lecture and conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. The Council for International Exchange of Scholars helps the bureau administer the program.