Werner, Eric

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Education

2002 University of Florida, B.S.
2007 University of California - Berkeley, Ph.D.

Courses Taught

General Chemistry Lecture
General Chemistry Lab
Inorganic Chemistry Lecture
Inorganic Chemistry Lab

Career Specialties

Eric Werner’s research interests lie mainly in the area of lanthanide coordination chemistry. Current efforts in Werner’s lab include the development of improved methods for rare earth element separations and the design of novel luminescent sensors for biomedical applications.

Professional and Community Activities

Werner’s background is in the development of gadolinium(III) complexes as stable, highly sensitive MRI contrast agents including multi-step organic ligand syntheses and metal complexation studies. Research at UT has been geared towards the synthesis of novel complexes for similar imaging applications, as well as the preparation of luminescent europium(III) and terbium(III) complexes for sensor and bioassay design. Recent research efforts have also included the development of ligands for selective extraction of various f-elements, including the technologically relevant rare earth elements, from aqueous metal mixtures. Results from this work may have implications for nuclear waste remediation and in the extraction of valuable rare earth metals from raw sources or commercial products (i.e., "e-waste" recycling). More information on these projects can be found on Werner's departmental research page. 

Werner is a member of the American Chemical Society and the Council on Undergraduate Research. He has published scientific articles in a number of peer-reviewed journals and regularly delivers national conference presentations over research incorporating undergraduate student coauthors.

Honors and Awards

UT CNHS Outstanding Scholar Award, 2022
UT CNHS Outstanding Scholar Award, 2016
UT CNHS Outstanding Student Research Supervision Award, 2015
UT CNHS Innovation in Teaching Award, 2013