TOM KUSTER – PHD STUDENT
What brought me here?
From high school onwards I always had a passion for chemistry, which led me to the Technical University Eindhoven. Performing research during my studies sparked my interest in organic chemistry and catalysis, which I now have the chance to further pursue at the University of Freiburg in the Schnitzerlab. Here, I work on target-selective catalysis with peptides.
What makes me happy?
Everything sport-related is awesome but going for a bouldering session with friends and having drinks afterwards takes the crown. Going on small adventures in nature such as hiking, or bike riding is another activity I love to do.
What is my current smartphone background? Why?
I have no single background picture but a slideshow of many that I took of scenic places during holiday but also of my hometown Beek back in the Netherlands. I like these pictures because they remind me of good times!
Since 2024
PhD in Chemistry
University of Freiburg
Thesis with Dr. T. Schnitzer on Data-Driven approaches for the Design of new Peptidic Organocatalysts
2021 - 2024
Master Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
Technical University of Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Master thesis at university Freiburg with Dr. T. Schnitzer on “Kinetic Resolution of Chiral Carboxylic Acid derivatives with Peptidic Organocatalysts”
2018 - 2021
Bachelor Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
Technical University of Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Bachelor thesis at TU Eindhoven with Dr. F. Eisenreich on “Photoredox-Catalyzed Reduction of Halogenated Arenes in Water by Amphiphilic Polymer Nanoparticles”
PUBLICATIONS
Peptide catalysis: Trends and opportunities
T.H.R. Kuster, T. Schnitzer
Chem Catalysis 2025, 5, 101339
Functionalization of Supramolecular Polymers by Dynamic Covalent Boroxine Chemistry
M.D. Preuss, T. Schnitzer, S.A.H. Jansen, S.C.J. Meskers, T.H.R. Kuster, X. Lou, E.W. Meijer, G. Vantomme
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202402644
Photoredox-Catalyzed Reduction of Halogenated Arenes in Water by Amphiphilic Polymeric Nanoparticles
F. Eisenreich, T.H.R. Kuster, D. van Krimpen, A.R.A. Palmans
Molecules 2021, 26, 5882