Alumni News

In the chronicles of Saint Mary's alumni achievements, the research of Christopher B. Murray BSc'88 could almost seem imaginary– working with materials so small you'd have to see them magnified 100,000 times to believe they are real. Indeed, his research is very real and, in fact, is helping to make significant impacts in pharmaceuticals, technology and industrial development.

Flashback to the Spring of 1988, a pivotal moment in Murray's trajectory. With a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Mary's to his name, he embarked on a year-long post-graduation position with Rotary International for a Fellowship in Auckland, New Zealand. Little did he know that his newly received degree, combined with research experience on the other side of the world, would serve as a catalyst for his future, propelling him toward a career dedicated to unravelling the mysteries of nanomaterials.

With a blend of expertise in materials chemistry and engineering applications, he spearheaded groundbreaking research aimed at manipulating matter on a near-atomic scale. "I focus on what is generally described as materials chemistry," Murray explains. "I develop ways to make new materials, understand their properties, and, in my case, connect them to engineering applications and figure out how to integrate them into different types of devices and systems."

He uses a LEGO blocks analogy to simplify the essence of his work.

"Think of it like Lego. You have the blocks, but you need to put them all in the right place. My work programs the blocks so that they can organize and position themselves relative to the other components. Think of it like being able to dump the basket of blocks onto the floor and have them organize themselves into the end design. That's what it's really about."

By harnessing the principles of self-assembly through chemical processes, Murray's research helps to unlock a realm of possibilities, from therapeutic drug delivery to high-density hydrogen fuel cell development.

The trajectory of Murray's career is marked by a series of milestones, each underscored by his unwavering commitment to excellence. Following his tenure at IBM's T. J. Watson Research Center, where he orchestrated pioneering research initiatives, Murray's passion for education led him back to academia. In 2007, he assumed a role as a chemistry and materials science and engineering professor at the University of Pennsylvania, where his teaching philosophy mirrors the mentorship he experienced at Saint Mary's. "We can learn a lot from different mechanisms," he reflects. "Hands-on opportunities and working with others to develop different techniques and ways of thinking about problems are indispensable. This was the kind of thinking and approach the Saint Mary's Faculty of Science offered."

Murray's appreciation for the chemistry department is unmistakable, especially when reminiscing about his formative years under the guidance of Professor Emeritus John Young. "The hands-on research opportunity made all the difference—working with a senior faculty member who cared about the people in the lab and who let us explore," he recalls fondly. "John and I still keep in touch; it's really nice to see that he continues to stay active in the community."

Murray has garnered many accolades throughout his career, including the prestigious Nobel Laureate Signature Award, recognition as one of the most influential innovators under 35 by Technology Review and an immense honour in 2020 when he was named a Clarivate Citation Laureate alongside his graduate mentor Moungi G. Bawendi or Murray's thesis work and associate 1993 publication and also with Taeghwan Hyeon (Seoul National University), for his later contributions. As a group they were cited "For the synthesis of nanocrystals with precise attributes for a wide range of applications in physical, biological, and medical systems.". This honour is often bestowed to candidates likely to win the Nobel Prize in their field. And just as predicted, Moungi G. Bawendi, Murray's advisor and the lead researcher, received the 2023 Nobel Prize in chemistry, with Murray and co-author David J. Norris as cited as contributors from the seminal 1993 publication on the “Synthesis and characterization of nearly monodisperse CdE (E = sulfur, selenium, tellurium) semiconductor nanocrystallites.”

However, in true Nova Scotian fashion, Murray's humility remains steadfast, underscoring the importance of collective achievement over personal acclaim. His success is a culmination of nanomaterial research, student mentorship, teaching, and a continued passion for his work.

When asked about the role of scientific thinkers in today's world, Murray offers an insightful answer based on his broad worldview.

"I think that any involvement in the sciences and engineering field teaches you how to think quantitatively and to analyze different situations carefully. I often think about how, if more scientists were to take their training and discipline and apply it to every brand of social impact, society would benefit. It wouldn't be a bad thing to have, for example, more politicians who are trained in fact-based decision-making."

As a bookend to his undergraduate graduation 36 years ago, Murray considers the science, technology, engineering and mathematics landscape for Bachelor of Science graduates in 2024.

"It's probably the best time for science graduates to find opportunities in several generations. The market needs creative problem solvers who can deal with technical and technological changes while understanding how they impact society broadly and for the better."