40th Anniversary Celebration
Four Decades of Brilliance: Celebrating 40 Years of Innovation
Since its founding in 1985, the Center for Photochemical Sciences at Bowling Green State University has illuminated the scientific landscape as a global leader in light-matter research. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Center remains a one-of-a-kind institution, boasting the world’s only Ph.D. program exclusively dedicated to the photochemical sciences. For four decades, this interdisciplinary powerhouse has united chemistry, physics, and biology to solve the world’s most complex puzzles. From pioneering advancements in sustainable solar energy and quantum-dot technology to developing light-activated therapies for medical treatment, the Center’s history is a testament to the transformative power of light and its ability to drive human progress.
As we look back on forty years of excellence, the Center’s true legacy is best viewed through the lens of its alumni—shaping the world one graduate at a time. Each researcher who passes through these halls leaves equipped with unparalleled expertise, joining a global network of leaders in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and renewable energy sectors. From NASA laboratories to the boardrooms of international chemical giants, BGSU graduates are the stewards of a cleaner, more efficient future. As the Center enters its fifth decade, it continues to scale its impact, proving that while light may be the subject of their study, the people behind the science are the ones truly brightening the world.
Thank you to all that attended the celebration on April 3rd, 2026
Founder’s Corner: The Vision of 1985
The Center for Photochemical Sciences was born from the bold vision of Dr. Douglas Neckers, who arrived at BGSU with the goal of creating a program that didn't just study chemistry, but mastered the "Power of Light." In 1985, alongside colleagues like Chris Dalton and Michael A. J. Rodgers, Neckers established the Center as an interdisciplinary sanctuary for innovation.
The spark that turned this vision into a global reality was a $1 million gift from the Harold and Helen McMaster family—a legendary donation famously delivered as a check left on a piano after a dinner party. This foundational support allowed the Center to move beyond "a letterhead and a dream," eventually launching the world’s first and only Ph.D. in Photochemical Sciences.
40 Years of Innovation: A Timeline
1985: The Spark
The Foundation: The Center is officially established at BGSU, fueled by the visionary leadership of Dr. Douglas Neckers and a $1M gift from the McMaster family.
1988–1989: A World First
The Ph.D. Program: BGSU receives state approval to launch the Ph.D. in Photochemical Sciences, creating a global destination for specialized light research.
1990s: Industrial Revolution
3D Printing Origins: Research conducted by Neckers and his students leads to breakthroughs in stereolithography (3D printing) and rapid prototyping, forever changing manufacturing.
2004: A New Era of Support
Federal Recognition: The Center receives significant federal funding and grants (including major NSF support) to modernize laboratory facilities in Overman Hall and the Physical Sciences Laboratory Building.
2016–2025: Global Leadership
The Theodor Förster Legacy: Founder Douglas Neckers is awarded the prestigious Theodor Förster Prize, cementing the Center's status as a top-tier international institution as it enters its fifth decade.
A Legacy of Light: 1985–2025
Unique Education
Maintaining the world’s only Ph.D. in Photochemical Sciences for 40 years.
Sustainability
Leading the charge in room-temperature silicone recycling and "green" polymer chemistry.
Medical Innovation
Advancing photodynamic therapies and biosensors that revolutionize diagnostic medicine.
Workforce Impact
Placing alumni in elite research and leadership roles across six continents.
Fast Facts: The Impact in Numbers
Founding Year
1985
Unique Status
Only Ph.D. of its kind in the world
Patents
65+ patents held by founder Douglas Neckers alone
Facilities
Home to world-class Femtosecond Spectroscopy labs
The Center for Photochemical Sciences at BGSU thrives through a multidisciplinary team of experts. As of 2026, the following faculty members are key pillars of the Center, leading research across chemistry, physics, and biological sciences.
Leadership
Dr. Pavel Anzenbacher, Jr. – Professor and Director of the Center. His work focuses on supramolecular chemistry, fluorescence, and chemical sensing.
Research Faculty
The Center's faculty represent a diverse range of specialties, from ultrafast spectroscopy to renewable energy materials.
Faculty Member
Title
Research Focus
Dr. Jayaraman Sivaguru
Antonia & Marshall Wilson Professor
Asymmetric photochemistry, green chemistry, and light-responsive materials.
Dr. H. Peter Lu
Ohio Eminent Scholar & Professor
Single-molecule spectroscopy, protein dynamics, and enzymatic reaction imaging.
Dr. Alexis Ostrowski
Professor & Associate Dean
Inorganic materials and metallo-supramolecular systems.
Dr. Malcolm Forbes
Professor
Time-resolved EPR spectroscopy and spin-polarized photochemistry.
Dr. Massimo Olivucci
Research Professor
Computational photochemistry and light-driven molecular motors.
Dr. Alexander Tarnovsky
Professor
Ultrafast photophysics and femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy.
Dr. Mikhail Zamkov
Associate Professor
Quantum dots, optoelectronics, and nanoscale functional devices.
Dr. Joseph Furgal
Associate Professor
Polymer chemistry, silicone recycling, and environmental remediation.
Dr. John Cable
Associate Professor & Dept. Chair
Physical chemistry and spectroscopy.
Dr. Julie Peterson
Assistant Professor
Molecular switches and visible-light responsive systems.
Dr. Liangfeng Sun
Assistant Professor
Exciton physics in 2D materials and colloidal nanocrystals.
Dr. Xiaohong Tan
Assistant Professor
Biochemical research involving proteins and aptamers.
Dr. Alexey Zayak
Assistant Professor
Computational electronic structure and Raman spectroscopy.
Emeritus & Founders
The legacy of the Center is also carried by its distinguished emeritus faculty who paved the way for current innovations:
Dr. Douglas Neckers – McMaster Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus (Founding Director).
Dr. Michael A. J. Rodgers – Ohio Eminent Scholar and Professor Emeritus.
Dr. Thomas H. Kinstle – Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus.
Core Support & Specialists
The high-level research at the Center is made possible by specialized technical staff:
- Dr. Steffen Jockusch — Scientific Instrumentation Specialist – Spectroscopy
- Charles Codding — Laboratory Design Engineer.
- Dr. Philip Boes — Mass Spectrometry Specialist.
- Mary Toth — Chemical Laboratory Supervisor, BGSU Chemistry Department.
- John Mills — Electronics Specialist.
- D. Y. Chen — NMR Director
- Tori Robbins Gilbert — Coordinator, Business Operations and Grants
Updated: 04/08/2026 10:45AM