Dr. Josh Vura Weis

Professor

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Biography

Professor Vura-Weis received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Stanford University in 1999. He worked for several years as a software developer before his interest in research was piqued, leading him to intern with Professor Ed Solomon to learn electronic structure calculations that complement sensitive experimental techniques. He then moved to Northwestern University, where he worked with Professors Mike Wasielewski and Mark Ratner as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow, receiving his Ph.D. in 2009. Subsequently, he joined Professor Steve Leone’s lab at UC Berkeley as an NSF ACC-F Postdoctoral Fellow. In Fall 2013, he became a faculty member at the University of Illinois as an Assistant Professor, and his research group focuses on advanced laser techniques to study the excited-state electronic and vibrational dynamics of inorganic and organometallic chromophores and photocatalysts. His group employs femtosecond x-ray spectroscopy for investigating transition metal catalysts and spin crossover materials, with a particular interest in photocatalytic processes and solar fuels production. He has received several prestigious awards, including the ACS Richard Van Duyne Early Career Award in 2023 and the NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award in 2016.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

— Present

Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois • Urbana, IL

Leading a research group focusing on advanced laser techniques for studying inorganic and organometallic chromophores and photocatalysts.

Awards

#2023

ACS Richard Van Duyne Early Career Award

#2017

Sloan Research Fellow

#2016

NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award

Requirements for University of Illinois

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:19
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:103
GRE General
Prerequisites
Mathematical background Linear Algebra Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE is optional for admission to all graduate programs in Statistics. Full status admission requires higher language scores than limited status.