Welcome to Kurouski Lab!

We focus on structural characterization of catalytic and biological systems with sub-nanometer spatial resolution.

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is a powerful technique that combines the single-molecule sensitivity of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and the precise spatial control of scanning probe microscopy (SPM). A key goal of our research is to examine the fundamental physical principles which lay behind the sub-nanometer resolution of TERS, in order to facilitate the implementation of this technique in analytical chemistry and biochemistry.

A fundamental understanding of the spatial resolution of TERS will allow us to work towards answering two questions: (1) “How does the structural organization of prefibrilar oligomers contribute to the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease?” and (2) “How do molecular orientation and nanoscale surface heterogeneity impact electrochemical catalytic reaction dynamics?”

Group News

September 10, 2018

Rui’s first paper on TERS entitled “Elucidation of Tip-Broadening Effect in Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS): A Cause of Artifacts or Potential for 3D TERS” is accepted to The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. Great job, Rui!

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August 28, 2018

Charlie Farber got The Best Poster Award on ICORS 2018! This year, around 900 scientists came to ICORS from all different parts of the world and more than 300 posters presented. There were only 20 poster awards, which means that only ~5% of students got awarded. Many congratulations, Charlie!

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August 27, 2018

Dr. Kurouski gave an invited talk and Charlie Farber presented a poster on The International Conference on Raman Spectroscopy (ICORS) 2018 in Jeju, Korea.

July 16, 2018

Dr. Kurouski was invited to give a talk at LPHYS 18, Nottingham, UK

June 13, 2018

Our paper on “Detection and Identification of Fungal Infections in Intact Wheat and Sorghum Grain Using a Hand-Held Raman Spectrometer” is accepted by Analytical Chemistry, the top analytical journal of ACS!

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June 8, 2018

Congratulations to Rui and his wife on the birth of their beautiful baby girl!!! We all are wishing both of you the best of luck with your new little princess!!!!

May 9, 2018

Our paper on “Forensic Identification of Urine on Cotton and Polyester Fabric with a Hand-held Raman Spectrometer” is accepted by Forensic Chemistry. Many congratulations to Elizabeth and Charlie!

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April 25, 2018

Our confocal Raman system is built and aligned!

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April 12, 2018

Prof. Kurouski was invited to give an invited seminar at the Department of Physics, Florida International University.

April 4, 2018

Prof. Kurouski was invited to give an invited seminar at the Department of Physics, Baylor University.

March 28, 2018

We are delighted to host Chris Welch, formal Scientific Lead at Merck! Chris gave excellent talk about “High throughput analysis and high throughput experimentation in pharmaceutical development” in our department and conduced a great career workshop for our graduate students. Thank you Chris!

March 23, 2018

Many congratulations to Charlie, who just won The First Place Poster Award on 21st Annual Student Research Week!

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February 21st, 2018

We are pleased to host Peter Tessier from The University of Michigan, as our department seminar speaker!

February 21st, 2018

Our first paper is accepted to Analytical Chemistry. Congratulations, Charlie! Great job!

Check it out here

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January 18th, 2018

We are pleased to host Niklas Waasem from Hübner, who gave an excellent talk about lasers and career development in both academia and industry. Thank you, Niklas!

January 9th, 2018

Prof. Kurouski gave an invited talk on TERS at PQE 2018 meeting, Salt Lake City, UT

December 21, 2017

Welcome to Charlie, Elizabeth and Veronica, first year graduate students! We are excited to have every one of you in the lab.