Rosenthal shares how her personal struggle with bipolar disorder influenced her research.
Sandra Rosenthal is the Jack and Pamela Egan Professor of Chemistry, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Pharmacology, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Materials Science at Vanderbilt University. Rosenthal is an acclaimed researcher in the field of nanoscience and nanomaterials. She has received national awards for her research endeavors including the Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award, SEC Distinguished Faculty Award, and Herty Medal of the ACS and has also been actively engaged in STEM outreach programs which have benefited students throughout the Middle Tennessee Region. Rosenthal’s independent scientific career has been distinguished by her innovative studies on nanomaterials, most notably quantum dots and nanoclusters. She is the leader of a highly interdisciplinary research team which is focused on endeavors that span the fundamental study of quantum dots at the atomic scale to the development of designer nanomaterials for applications in diverse research areas spanning solid-state lighting to biological imaging. A major focus of Rosenthal’s current research is “to develop and use nanotechnology to elucidate molecular mechanisms of mental illness”.