Rate My Professor Eric Anslyn

Anslyn's research specializes in physical organic and supramolecular chemistry, devising sensing systems using mechanistic insights and photophysics for applications including rapid screening of enantiomeric excess, diastereomeric excess, and reaction yields to facilitate asymmetric catalysis discovery; differential sensing arrays to classify kinase activity, screen inhibitors, and detect counterfeit beverages; reversible covalent bonding for orthogonal reactions in polymers, complex assemblies, and self-replicating oligomers; and sequence-defined biotic and abiotic polymers in collaboration with other groups. He co-authored the graduate textbook "Modern Physical Organic Chemistry" with Dennis A. Dougherty (2006). Key publications include "Recent advances in supramolecular analytical chemistry using optical sensing" (Chemical Reviews, 2015, with L. You and D. Zha), "Indicator–displacement assays" (Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 2006, with B.T. Nguyen), and "Artificial receptors for the recognition of phosphorylated molecules" (Chemical Reviews, 2011). His contributions have profoundly influenced molecular sensing and supramolecular materials. Major awards include the 2025 Chirality Medal (Italian Society of Chemistry), Centenary Prize (Royal Society of Chemistry, 2020), James Flack Norris Award in Physical Organic Chemistry (ACS, 2019), 1st Czarnik Award for Molecular Sensing (2016), Izatt-Christensen Award for Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry (2013), Edward Leete Award (2013), and Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award (2006), alongside numerous teaching honors such as the University of Texas System Regents Teaching Award (2010) and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professorship (2018-2023).