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. Schnitzer on “Machine Learning-Guided Design of Boronic Acids for α-Amino Acid Coupling”
2022-2024
Second Level University Master (Molecular Sciences for Earth and Space)
Scuola Superiore Meridionle, Italy
2022-2024
Master of Science (Chemical Sciences)
University of Naples Federico II, Italy
Thesis with Prof. V. Busico on “Coordination copolymerizations of ethene and higher 1-alkenes: a molecular kinetic study”
2019-2022
Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)
University of Naples Federico II, Italy
Thesis with Prof. V. Busico on “A novel (ONNO)Zr olefin polymerization catalyst: NMR and DFT studies”
PUBLICATIONS
Manipulating pre-equilibria in olefin polymerization catalysis: backbone-stiffening converts a living into a highly active salan-type catalyst
D. V. Uborsky*, M. I. Sharikov, G. P. Goryunov, K. M. Li, A. Dall’Anese, C. Zuccaccia*, A. Vittoria, T. Iovine, G. Galasso, C. Ehm, A. Macchioni, V. Busico, A. Z. Voskoboynikov, R. Cipullo*
Inorg. Chem. Front. 2023, 10, 6401-6406
Comonomer Reactivity Trends in Catalytic Ethene/1-Alkene Copolymerizations to Linear Low-Density Polyethylene
G. Galasso, R. Cipullo, V. Busico, A. Vittoria*
Polymers 2025, 17, 2290
Electronic effects in early transition metal catalyzed olefin polymerization: challenges in featurization and descriptor strengths and weaknesses
C. Ehm*, G. Galasso, A. Vittoria, P. Oriente, L. Maiale, P. H. M. Budzelaar, R. Cipullo, V. Busico
Dalton Trans. 2025, 54, 16380-16392