From the molecular design of next-generation electronic materials to the neural systems that control human movement, innovation happens at Georgia Tech.
For postdoctoral scholars Oindrila Sinha and Tanner Smith, discovery moves beyond theory. Discovery is all about building something new and understanding how it works from the inside out.
Although their research disciplines of neuroscience and organic chemistry differ, their work still shares a common thread: designing complex systems that transform scientific theory into real-world applications that make an impact.
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Molecular Blueprint: Tanner Smith
While Sinha focuses on cognitive motion at the neural level, Tanner Smith builds innovation on the molecular scale.
Smith is a synthetic organic chemist focused on organic electronic materials and designing and synthesizing new molecules and polymers with electronic and magnetic properties.
“I like being a part of the whole process,” he says. “From designing new materials, synthesizing them, and analyzing their properties.”
Smith, who is from Central Illinois, earned his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2018 before completing his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Kentucky in 2023. His doctoral research centered on designing new carbon-based materials for use in flexible, lightweight, and low-cost electronic devices. Common examples of commercial technologies that use similar materials include OLED lighting and displays, organic solar cells, and flexible smartphones and displays.
As a researcher in the Azoulay Lab at Georgia Tech, Smith develops organic molecules and polymers with magnetic properties for next-generation electronic applications.
"My post-doctoral research also focuses on the development of similar carbon-based electronic materials, with a focus on organic molecules with magnetic properties,” explains Smith. “My research focuses on the more fundamental studies of these materials and what causes their unique magnetic properties. These carbon-based electronic materials are uniquely suited for commercial applications such as flexible transistors and circuits for next-generation displays, energy storage, quantum computing, and data storage.”
A Day in the Life: From Synthesis to Simulation
A typical day for Smith involves alternating between hands-on lab synthesis, which is his favorite part, writing, simulations, and equipment oversight. Because his lab is multidisciplinary, he also collaborates on projects analyzing the electronic and magnetic properties of the materials he creates.
Like Sinha, mentorship is a meaningful part of his work. He also regularly supports graduate and undergraduate researchers in the lab while balancing his own research and publications. Smith was nominated for this Postdoc Spotlight by Rachel MacDonald, an undergraduate researcher, who shared that “Dr. Tanner Smith embodies the most crucial traits of an amazing teacher. He is patient, encouraging, and palpably excited to share his knowledge.”
Outside of research, Smith prioritizes movement and wellness. He enjoys lifting weights, running, hiking, yoga, and exploring Atlanta’s outdoor spaces. During the warmer months, Smith spends time walking or running through Piedmont Park and along the Beltline. He also likes to explore cafes in Midtown and Downtown with friends and colleagues.
Progress and Service: The Tech Way
From molecules engineered for electronic performance to neural systems that guide human movement, Sinha and Smith showcase the interdisciplinary spirit that defines postdoctoral research at Georgia Tech.
Both were drawn to the Institute’s collaborative environment and reputation for innovation. And both are committed to advancing research, mentorship, growth, and most importantly, impact on a larger scale.
Although their research occurs at vastly different ends of the spectrum, their work shares a common goal: to advance science and improve the human condition.
Read the entire article on the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education's website.