Driving innovation through collaborative chemistry research

For Mukund Sibi, a University Distinguished Professor in chemistry and biochemistry, research is a pathway to solving real-world problems — and chemistry is at the center of it all.

“The way life has evolved in the last couple of centuries, the reason why we have eight billion people in this world is because of better medicine, better food, better materials, better technology. All of those have improved our quality of life. That's where chemistry comes in,” Sibi said.

Sibi’s work spans a broad range of research areas within organic chemistry, from advancing medical applications to developing innovative materials. While the topics may vary, the core of his work remains the same.

“The connecting thing is where we make molecules. We make molecules for medicine, and we make molecules for creating better materials,” Sibi said.

One of Sibi’s key research interests is green chemistry, which focuses on designing products and processes that reduce or eliminate hazardous substances used in labs. His long-term goal is to create more sustainable materials, such as a plastic water bottle that can degrade on demand rather than end up in landfills.

He is also driven to improve efficiency in chemical processes, ultimately reducing costs and increasing accessibility. For example, while there is currently a breast cancer drug on the market that targets triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive type of breast cancer that is hard to treat and doesn’t have any treatment plans, the cancer drug takes ~70 steps to make in the lab, which causes it to become expensive for the consumer.

“If scientists can synthesize the cancer drug more efficiently and affordably, more people can get treatment ” said Sibi.

Collaboration plays a central role in Sibi’s research. He regularly works with colleagues across disciplines, including agriculture and engineering. Two of Sibi’s closest collaborators are Dean Webster, a professor and chair of the coatings and polymeric materials department, and Chad Ulven, a University Distinguished Professor in mechanical engineering. Sibi, Webster and Ulven began their collaborative work 15 years ago and their research bridges organic chemistry, polymer chemistry and mechanical engineering.

“We have had fantastic success, and we rely on each other,” Sibi said. “Because we have complementary disciplines on the team, we can solve problems which individually we will never be able to solve.”

Sibi also emphasizes the vital role students play in advancing research, who, Sibi said, are the key to research breakthroughs.

“They are integral. They come to not only do their science, but they also come with ideas and solve problems,” he said.

Not only does Sibi work heavily with his current students, but he also works closely with undergraduates and high school students to ensure they’re presented with ample opportunities to become involved in research. Sibi plays an active role in research training, including through the undergraduate summer research program supported by the National Science Foundation.

Ensuring everyone has access to research is important to Sibi, who himself was passionate about pursuing a career centered in chemistry from a young age.

“The difference 200 years ago was only privileged people did research. But now, any individual who is interested can contribute,” he said. “Research has no boundaries and without research, we don't make progress and benefit humans in any area.”

Sibi fosters a collaborative, team-oriented environment in his lab to prepare students for success in the global workforce. His former students have gone on to careers as faculty in high tier institutions, patent attorneys and professionals in major pharmaceutical companies.

Looking ahead, Sibi is eager to continue tackling complex challenges through research at NDSU. He is particularly interested in helping establish new research centers, including a materials institute, to further expand opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

Sibi also credits his family for supporting his career and keeping him grounded.

“Family keeps you going,” Sibi said. “They are an integral part of any kind of success anybody has, and without them, you don't do anything.”