Award-winning chemist Vladimir Michaelis was attracted to the U of A for its reputation as an elite research institution within Canada and internationally.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, new Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry Vladimir Michaelis grew up with a passion for understanding how things worked. "I recall from a young age that I always wanted to take things apart, identifying what made them tick," he says. "I still remember the looks on my parents' faces when I disassembled my first alarm clock, quickly moving onto a watch, a radio and our first VCR."
With a goal of landing a career in business, Michaelis embarked on an undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba, where chemistry quickly emerged as a strength and passion. "The idea of assembling various atoms to 'create' something different was fascinating."
Near the end of his undergraduate degree, Michaelis was teamed up with a mentor, Scott Kroeker-who he ended up spending another five years with when he decided to pursue a PhD. It was during his PhD that Michaelis was introduced to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and learned how solid-state NMR spectroscopy was a powerful tool in identifying atomic-level structural information within the various inorganic chemical systems he was studying.
"The drive for high-quality research, mentorship and interdisciplinary collegial discussion is truly amazing; our department is passionate about their craft."
He then took a departure from inorganic hard materials, pursuing a postdoctoral opportunity at the chemistry and engineering mecca of the world-the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
At MIT, he worked alongside Robert G. Griffin, a world leader in biophysical NMR research, at the Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory where he was tasked with assembling the world's highest field dynamic nuclear polarization NMR spectrometer for the study of chemical systems that are not possible using conventional solid-state NMR methods. After five years at MIT and life in Cambridge, MA, Michaelis returned to his northern roots to establish his research group within the Department of Chemistry at the University of Alberta.
"The Department of Chemistry and the University of Alberta have world-renowned research programs and terrific resources available to undergraduate and graduate students as well as their faculty," says Michaelis, who was attracted to the U of A for its reputation as an elite research institution within Canada and internationally.
"The drive for high-quality research, mentorship and interdisciplinary collegial discussion is truly amazing; our department is passionate about their craft," he says. "Every day we strive to advance each other's research programs and understanding as well as teach our students a good balance in both theoretical and practical components of the central science. This was a very clear message while I was interviewing and now that I've been here for some time, it's even more apparent in the community."
"Our department has many leaders in their respective fields and their open door policy to the 'new guy' truly cultivates a great balance in both advancing my research and teaching abilities."
The facilities were also a draw for the chemist, with the U of A and the Department of Chemistry offering some of the strongest research facilities for materials science in North America. "Our solid-state NMR facility for solids, consisting of three NMR spectrometers, is pivotal for my research objectives and provides my research team with excellent access to a diverse range of instruments."
He was encouraged to see the research goals outlined in the Faculty's new strategic plan. "The foresight expressed within the Faculty of Science strategic plan aiming to link industry with research, and increase the graduate to undergraduate student ratios will improve our research and teaching positions while strengthening our ability to be innovative within Alberta, Canada and beyond."
Michaelis' research interests focus on the study of inorganic materials using solid-state NMR spectroscopy to address structure-property relationships and ultimately to improve function.
"Most people are familiar with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a medical imaging technique often associated with assisting in diagnosing various medical issues," explains Michaelis. "We seek creative solutions to the deficiencies in these materials by structural modification and by characterization using solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Instead of looking at hydrogen within water and fats of the body, we study inorganic materials that can have use in the body-biomaterials-as well as solar cells - photovoltaic materials-to improve our lives and reduce environmental impacts."
Some of his research group's current work involves looking into ceramics and cements to improve dental filling composites by finding ways to eliminate traditional (mercury-based) fillings and identify new biocompatible alternatives. In a similar theme, the team is looking at ways to expand the bioactivity of bioglasses-amorphous systems often implanted as bone replacements that offer the ability to assist in natural bone regeneration. The group also has an energy division, looking at understanding and improving material stability within potential solar energy materials.
Having just begun his UAlberta appointment in January of 2016, Michaelis commends his colleagues for making him feel immediately welcome on campus. "My colleagues in Chemistry and the Faculty of Science have been very supportive, helping me identify all that the U of A has to offer, whether it is a senior colleague identifying various teaching approaches and demos for our students or bouncing some of my research ideas to identify avenues to establish industrial connections, the cordial atmosphere and drive to push boundaries is rewarding.
"Our department has many leaders in their respective fields and their open door policy to the 'new guy' truly cultivates a great balance in both advancing my research and teaching abilities," he says. "Also being a true Canuck who has lived abroad for a few years, it's great to be back in 'The True North strong and free!'"
Career Highlights / Accomplishments:
- NSERC PGS D3 (PhD, UofM)
- 73Ge NMR development and application, including a home built NMR probe
- NSERC - PDF (PDF, MIT)
- Building the worlds first 700 MHz / 460 GHz DNP NMR spectrometer with a great team lead by Profs. Robert Griffin (FBML-MIT) and Richard Temkin (PSFC-MIT).
- Banting PDF (PDF, MIT)
- Developing various DNP NMR approaches for low-gamma nuclei and challenging biophysical systems