Dr. Mostafa El-Sayed is a world-renowned Egyptian-American physical chemist whose pioneering work has transformed our understanding of molecular spectroscopy and nanoscience. Currently holding the position of Julius Brown Chair and Regents Professor Emeritus at the Georgia Institute of Technology, he previously served as a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles from 1961 to 1994. Born in 1933 in Zifta, Egypt, he received his B.Sc. from Ain Shams University in Cairo in 1953 before earning his Ph.D. from Florida State University in 1959 under the guidance of Michael Kasha. Following his doctoral studies, he completed postdoctoral research appointments at Harvard University, Yale University, and the California Institute of Technology before embarking on his distinguished academic career. His early career trajectory established him as a promising researcher in physical chemistry, setting the stage for his groundbreaking contributions to molecular science.
Professor El-Sayed is best known for formulating the El-Sayed Rule, a fundamental principle in spectroscopy that explains the variation in rates of conversion of electronic energy into heat across diverse molecular systems, which has become a standard concept in photochemistry textbooks worldwide. His research group pioneered the application of steady and ultra-fast laser spectroscopy techniques to elucidate energy transfer mechanisms in complex chemical systems relevant to biological processes including photosynthesis and bacteriorhodopsin photocycles. Among his most significant achievements was the development of gold nanorod technology and several innovative spectroscopic methods including magneto photo selection and picosecond Raman spectroscopy. His work on the physical and chemical properties of noble metal nanoparticles has opened new pathways in nanocatalysis, nanophotonics, and nanomedicine, with applications extending to targeted cancer therapies. This research not only advanced fundamental understanding but also bridged theoretical chemistry with practical applications in energy conversion and medical diagnostics.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. El-Sayed has been instrumental in shaping the field of nanoscience and physical chemistry, publishing over 500 scientific papers and training numerous researchers including more than 35 PhD students, 26 postdoctoral fellows, and 13 visiting professors. As a former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Physical Chemistry from 1980 to 2004, he significantly influenced the direction of chemical research publication and mentored generations of scientists through rigorous peer review. His contributions have earned him numerous prestigious honors including the US National Medal of Science and the King Faisal International Prize in Sciences, cementing his legacy as a scientific leader. Appointed by President Obama to the National Medal of Science Committee in 2014, he continued to shape national science policy even after his formal research career. Even following his retirement from his active faculty role and as head of the Laser Dynamics Lab at the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2020, at which point he became Regents Professor Emeritus, Dr. El-Sayed remains engaged in advancing nanomedicine applications, particularly in developing novel approaches to cancer treatment, demonstrating his enduring commitment to scientific progress.
