An interview with pioneering nanoscientist Professor Paul S. Weiss was recently featured in American Scientist magazine.
The article titled “Nanoscale Science”, by editor-in-chief Fenella Saunders, is featured in the January–February 2025 issue.
The interview covers Weiss’ journey into nanoscience and his groundbreaking work in nanotechnology. He discusses how his early interests in how electronic structure controls chemistry led him to explore semiconductors, molecular interactions on surfaces, and ultimately, the development and application of atomic-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectrosopies. Weiss shares insights into elucidation of the mechanisms and control of nanoscale switches and motors at the ultimate limits of miniaturization.
He discusses his collaborative work with Professor Anne Andrews in neuroscience. He highlights the impact of nanoscience on brain research, specifically the BRAIN Initiative, and its role in developing innovative tools for understanding neural circuits and diseases. The conversation also touches on nanoscience and nanotechnology’s applications in medicine, such as his work with Professor Steve Jonas in safe, high-throughput gene editing for treating diseases like sickle cell and thalassemia, as well as in cancer treatment and cellular manipulation. Additionally, Weiss discusses his involvement in the U.S. Microbiome Initiative, using nanoscience to explore microbial species and their impact on health. Finally, he talks about the potential of nanoscience in areas like tissue engineering and personalized medicine, and the Challenge Initiative at UCLA that he leads in which unsolved problems are targeted and teams are put together to come up with and to develop novel solutions.
Weiss holds a UC Presidential Chair at UCLA, and is a distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry, bioengineering, and materials science and engineering. Before coming to UCLA, he was a distinguished professor of chemistry and physics at the Pennsylvania State University, where he began his academic career. He served as the director of the California NanoSystems Institute and held the Fred Kavli Chair in NanoSystems Sciences at UCLA. Weiss is involved in startups from his and other labs in biotechnology, food security, energy, entertainment, and healthcare. He was the founding editor-in-chief of ACS Nano (2007-2021). Weiss’ other recent awards and honors include the IEEE Nanotechnology Pioneer Award, the Sigma Xi William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement, and election as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Chemical Society, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, Canadian Academy of Engineering, Materials Research Society, the IEEE, and the National Academy of Inventors.
Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penny@chem.ucla.edu.
