In the Laorenza Lab, we use synthetic inorganic chemistry to control how materials respond to diverse environmental stimuli. We apply this materials-design approach to address challenges in areas ranging from quantum information science to biology. Students in the group are trained in synthetic methods, including solid-state synthesis and Schlenk-line techniques, while gaining hands-on experience in materials characterization. All group members develop expertise in core characterization methods, such as NMR, UV–vis–NIR, DSC, FTIR, fluorescence, and cw-EPR, with opportunities to learn advanced techniques such as pulsed EPR, instrument fabrication protocols, microscopy, and ODMR.
The Laorenza Lab uses synthetic inorganic chemistry to create, control, and measure stimuli-responsive materials. Our work is unified by imbuing extended systems with molecular-level design to couple structure, dynamics, and function in the development of new platforms for quantum information science, multimodal sensing, and electrical control of spin. In particular, we seek to understand how environmental factors such as thermal transport, spin interactions, and lattice phonons govern spin and optical dynamics, and how these effects can be leveraged for next-generation quantum technologies. Additionally, we design materials in which crystallographic symmetry programs sensitivity to specific external stimuli, enabling selective and tunable responses to multiple environmental inputs within the same spatial footprint. By bridging synthetic chemistry with materials physics, our goal is to establish design principles for adaptive materials that convert subtle environmental inputs into measurable and controllable outputs.
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Postdoctoral Researcher
2026
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
PhD - Chemistry
2023
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
M.A. - Chemistry
2017
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
B.A. - College of Integrative Sciences - Chemistry
2016
“Tunable thermal phase-change materials from common detergents.” Laorenza, D. W.; Dev, V.; Casaday, C. E.; Mason, J. A. 2026, 12, 102820. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102820]
“Coherent spin control of S = 1 vanadium and molybdenum complexes.” Laorenza, D. W.; Mullin, K. R.; Bayliss, S. L.; Weiss, L. R.; Deb, P.; Awschalom, D. D.; Rondinelli, J. M.; Freedman, D. E. Chem. Sci. 2024, 15, 14016–14026. [DOI: 10.1039/D4SC03107E]
“Could the quantum internet be comprised of molecular spins with tunable optical interfaces?” Laorenza, D. W.; Freedman, D. E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 21810–21825. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07775]
“Enhancing spin coherence in optically addressable molecular qubits through host-matrix control.” Bayliss, S. L.†; Deb, P.†; Laorenza, D. W.†; Onizhuk, M.; Galli, G.; Freedman, D. E.; Awschalom, D. D. Phys. Rev. X 2022, 12, 031028. [DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevX.12.031028]
“Tunable Cr4+ molecular color centers.” Laorenza, D. W.; Kairalapova, A.; Bayliss, S. L.; Goldzak, T.; Green, S. M.; Weiss, L. R.; Deb, P.; Mintun, P. J.; Collins, K. A.; Awschalom, D. D.; Berkelbach, T. C.; Freedman, D. E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 21350–21363. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c10145]
“Optically addressable molecular spins for quantum information processing.” Bayliss, S. L.†; Laorenza, D. W.†; Mintun, P. J.; Diler, B.; Freedman, D. E.; Awschalom, D. D. Science 2020, 370, 1309–1312. [DOI: 10.1126/science.abb9352]
Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellowship
2024
ACS DIC Young Investigator Award
2024
Boeing Quantum Creators Prize
In new step toward quantum tech, scientists synthesize ‘bright’ quantum bits | UChicago News
A new platform for customizable quantum devices | Argonne National Laboratory