Building better materials, one polymer at a time
As a fundamental chemist, Assistant Professor Adrian Figg works with polymers — the building blocks of many of the world’s materials.
His research group focuses on developing methods to make polymers more precise — a challenge few take on because of its difficulty — while also asking why that precision matters.
The group aims to explore not only the core scientific questions they ask, but also how those answers can be used to advance fundamental science for real world impacts — focusing on both sides of the coin.
Figg points to diagnostics — where polymers could act as a cost-effective “boost” for medical tests. The highly precise antibodies that are essential for medical testing kits are expensive to produce, but Figg’s polymer research could help produce cheaper, synthetic polymers to sharpen the accuracy of “budget” antibodies.
This strategy could lead to rapid, point-of-care testing for dozens of rare diseases that would be less expensive and more widely available.
“How do we make therapeutics in a more cost-effective way using polymers? How do we make things that we already have work better using polymers?” Figg asked. “It’s really hard to innovate — and I like that challenge.”
For his efforts on that front, Figg was named one of Chemical & Engineering News’ “Talented Twelve,” which highlights young scientists who are making the world a better place through chemistry.
Funding the fundamentals
Fundamental science is increasingly challenging to secure funding for and demonstrate its importance to the public.
However, Figg points to the COVID vaccine as evidence of its importance. The vaccine was developed so quickly because it had been built on decades of fundamental scientific research.
His niche functions very similarly — where it could take years of development to have a breakthrough when we need it most.
“What are we not preparing for in the future?” Figg asked.
Figg continues to ask the pressing questions that guide his group’s future, including the use of high-throughput synthesis.
By using robotics and miniaturized systems, high-throughput synthesis creates an automated, parallel approach to chemical synthesis. This allows researchers to produce and analyze hundreds to thousands of compounds simultaneously, as opposed to one by one.
In his lab, Figg hopes to pair the technology with fundamental chemistry research, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
“When we’re trying to answer questions about chemical problems, we’re trying to go a different pathway that is a lot harder. The way we’ve gone in the past is just mixing and stirring and analyzing, which has not cracked some of the most pressing chemical challenges,” Figg said.
“With high-throughput synthesis, I think we’ll be able to solve some of these harder problems.”
Defining success
Figg’s career is driven by curiosity — about the world and his scientific niche. He lets curiosity be his guide, letting it drive what to do next and where to go.
“I've always had the idea that if you identify your skills and you find work that fits the skills that you actually like, you’re going to be successful,” Figg said.
The key and challenge, Figg said, is defining success on your own terms.
