Faculty
Director of Graduate Studies
My research program focuses on crystal engineering with relevance to energy and medicine. A major theme to our work is understanding mechanisms of nonclassical crystallization where we leverage this knowledge to design materials with enhanced properties and performance. Our research combines aspects of synthesis, state-of-the-art characterization, and materials testing to develop structure-performance relationships. Research projects are focused on a broad range of inorganic and organic materials wherein we engage in collaborative partnerships with industry, medical centers, and other universities and national laboratories to investigate both fundamental and applied problems in the following two areas:
CATALYSIS
We have a large research program in zeolite catalysis where we develop methods to synthesize novel materials. Our group investigates fundamental aspects of zeolite nucleation and growth, which occur through complex pathways that require in situ characterization at near molecular level resolution. To this end, we pioneered the use of high-temperature atomic force microscopy to examine zeolite crystal surface growth. These efforts are coupled with innovative approaches to enhance the properties of zeolites catalysts. Notably, we address one the most ubiquitous bottlenecks in zeolite catalysis – mitigating internal diffusion limitations. To overcome these challenges, we design nanosized and hierarchical zeolites with improved mass transport. We also engineer bifunctional catalysts through the incorporation of different metals. The performance of zeolites synthesized in our lab are assessed using a range of catalytic reactions, which include methanol to hydrocarbons, toluene alkylation, cracking, dehydroaromatization, dehydrogenation, and polymer recycling. Reactions are performed in-house; however, we also collaborate with companies to explore commercialization of high-performing materials. Our catalysis research program also includes projects investigating (mixed) metal oxides where emphasis is placed on tailoring crystal habit and defect engineering. We work with companies to develop state-of-the-art metal oxides for reactions such as oxidative coupling of methane and epoxidation, among others.
BIOCRYSTALLIZATION
Our research in biocrystallization examines crystals implicated in human diseases where the objective is to understand mechanisms of nucleation and growth, and then to use this information to design molecular modifiers that selectively inhibit these pathways. This research program includes (i) the study of five different compounds (both inorganic and organic) associated with kidney stone disease (ii) heme crystallization associated with malaria, (iii) biominerals associated with breast cancer, and (iv) cholesterol crystallization which is relevant to both vascular calcification and gallstone disease. We use high-resolution in situ techniques such as atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scattering (laser, X-ray) to probe nucleation and growth pathways in both the absence and presence of growth modifiers. We collaborate with medical schools to perform human trials, animal studies, and parasite models to assess the performance of modifiers as next-generation therapeutics. Several of these compounds have been patented and are being tested as alternatives to current medications. The majority of crystalline materials associated with human diseases exhibit nonclassical mechanisms of nucleation – a phenomenon that extends to many organic compounds used as active pharmaceutical ingredients. To this end, we are working with others at the University of Houston to establish a research center on nonclassical crystallization with an emphasis on pharmaceuticals crystallization.
- Graduate students: Tanvir Ahmed, Amir K. Abu-Talib, Hamidreza Azargoshasb, Vraj Chauhan, Dipayan Chakraborty, Sambita Choudhury, Muhammad Fiji, Debasmita Halder, Chenfeng Huang, Jaeyul Kim, Huan-Jui Lee, Zhiyin Niu, Jonhcarlo Ruvalcaba, Suchetana Samanta, Kumari Shilpa, Edgar Turizo Pinilla, Manasa Yerragunta
- Undergraduate students: Gabriel Espindola, Eric Luna
- Postdoctoral research associates: Si Li, Hanchang Kwon,
Southwest Catalysis Society Award for Excellence in Applied Catalysis, 2025
AIChE Fellow, 2024
Catalysis Club of Philadelphia Award, 2024
Welch Catalyst for Discovery Program Grant, Program Director for the Center for Advanced Bioactive Materials Crystallization, 2023
CSGS Outstanding Mentor Award, Conference of Southern Graduate Schools, 2023
Nominated for Alexander M. Cruickshank (AMC) Lecturer Award, GRC on Crystal Growth & Assembly, 2022
Senior Faculty Research Excellence Award, Cullen College of Engineering, 2022
Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award, University of Houston, 2022
Senior Faculty Research Excellence Award, Cullen College of Engineering, 2022
AIChE Southwest Process Technology Conference, Best Presentation Award, 2022
National Academy of Inventors, Senior Member, 2021
Abraham E. Dukler Endowed Professorship, 2018 – Present
Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Engineering, The Academy of Medicine, Engineering & Science of Texas (TAMEST), 2020
Gordon Research Conference on Nanoporous Materials & Their Applications, Vice Chair, 2019
Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research, The Welch Foundation, 2018
Class of Influential Researchers, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2018
Emerging Investigators, Molecular Systems Design & Engineering, 2018
FRI/John G. Kunesh Award, AIChE Separations Division, 2017
Netherlands Center for Multiscale Catalytic Energy Conversion Lectureship Award, 2017
Best Paper: AIChE Meeting, Division Plenary: Gerhold and Kunesh Awards on Separations, 2017
Gordon Research Conference on Crystal Growth & Assembly, Vice Chair, 2017
Joe W. Hightower Award, American Chemical Society GHS, 2016
Up and Coming Researcher, Chemistry of Materials
Owens Corning Early Career Award, AICHE 2016
Mellichamp Emerging Leader Lecture, University of California at Santa Barbara, 2016
Teaching Excellence Award, Cullen College of Engineering, 2015
Ernest J. and Barbara M. Henley Chemical Engineering College Professorship, 2012 – 2018
Teaching Excellence Award, University of Houston, 2015
Provost Certificate of Excellence, University of Houston, 2014
Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship, University of Houston, 2014
Early Faculty Award for Mentoring Undergraduate Research, University of Houston, 2014
The Catalyst Review, recognized in “Movers & Shakers”, 2014
Junior Faculty Research Excellence Award, Cullen College of Engineering, 2013
NSF CAREER Award, 2012
ERDT Visiting Professor, University of the Philippines, 2012
ACS PRF Doctoral New Investigator Award, 2012
NSF BRIGE Award, 2010
Philadelphia Catalysis Club Poster Award, Wilmington, DE 2006
Robert L. Pigford Teaching Assistant Award, University of Delaware 2005
Dual Degree Chemical Engineering Award, Washington University in St. Louis 2001
Harold P. Brown Fellowship, Washington University in St. Louis (1999 – 2001)
Presidential Honor Scholarship, Allegheny College (1996 – 1999)
Sandra Doane Turk Award, Allegheny College 1999
Most Outstanding Junior Chemist Award, Allegheny College 1998
ACS Polymer Division Award for Outstanding Performance in Organic Chemistry, 1998
ACS Most Outstanding Freshman Chemistry Student, 1997
Green Carbon (Elsevier), Advisory Board (2023 – Present)
Crystal Growth & Design (ACS), Associate Editor (2021 – Present)
American Associate for Crystal Growth, Executive Committee (2017 – Present)
Molecular Systems Design & Engineering (RSC), Advisory Board (2017 – Present)
AIChE Journal (Wiley), Advisory Board (2017 – Present)
Reaction Chemistry & Engineering (RSC), Advisory Board (2016 – Present)
AIChE Materials Engineering & Sciences Division, Director (2017 – 2019)
International Zeolite Association Synthesis Commission, Vice-Chair (2016 – Present)
International Zeolite Association, Treasurer (2019 – Present)
Southwest Catalysis Society, Secretary / Chair Elect / Chair / Past Chair (2015 – 2018)
Selected Publications
- T.T. Le, W. Qin, N. Nikolopoulos, D. Fu, M.D. Patton, C. Weiland, S.R. Bare, B.M. Weckhuysen, J.D. Rimer, “Elemental Zoning Enhances Mass Transport in Zeolite Catalysts,” Nature Catalysis 6, 254-265 [DOI] , 2023
- W. Tang,, T. Yang, C.A. Morales-Rivera, X. Geng, V.K. Srirambhatla, A.J. Florence, H. Mo, H.A. Calderon, C. Kisielowski, F. Robles Hernandez, X. Zou, G. Mpourmpakis, J.D. Rimer, “Tautomerism Unveils a Self-Inhibition Mechanism of Crystallization,” Nature Communications 14, 561 [DOI], 2023
- R. Jain, A. Chawla, N. Linares, J. Garcia-Martinez, J.D. Rimer, “Spontaneous Pillaring of Pentasil Zeolites,” Advanced Materials 33, 2100897 [DOI], 2021
- H. Dai, Y. Shen, T. Yang, C. Lee, D. Fu, A. Agarwal, T.T. Le, M. Tsapatsis, J.C. Palmer, B.M. Weckhuysen, P.J. Dauenhauer, X. Zou, J.D. Rimer, “Finned Zeolite Catalysts,” Nature Materials 19, 1074-1080 [DOI], 2020
- W. Ma, J.F. Lutsko, J.D. Rimer, P.G. Vekilov, “Antagonistic Cooperativity between Crystal Growth Modifiers by Attenuation of Step Pinning,” Nature 577, 497-501 [DOI], 2020
- M. Kumar, M. Choudhary, J.D. Rimer, “Transient Modes of Zeolite LTA Surface Growth from 3D Gel-like Islands to 2D Single Layers,” Nature Communications 9, 2129 [DOI], 2018
- K.N. Olafson, T. Nguyen, J.D. Rimer, P.G. Vekilov, , “Antimalarials Inhibit Hematin Crystallization by Specific Drug-Surface Site Interactions,” Proceedings of the National Academies of Science USA 114, 7531-7536 [DOI] , 2017
- J. Chung, I. Granja, M.G. Taylor, G. Mpourmpakis, J.R. Asplin, J.D. Rimer, “Molecular Modifiers Reveal a Mechanism of Pathological Crystal Growth Inhibition,” Nature 536, 446-450 [DOI], 2016
- J.J. De Yoreo, P.U.P.A. Gilbert, N.A.J.M. Sommerdijk, R.L. Penn, S. Whitelam, D. Joester, H.Z. Zhang, J.D. Rimer, A. Navrotsky, J.F. Banfield, A.F. Wallace, F.M. Michel, F.C. Meldrum, H. Cölfen, P.M. Dove, , “Crystallization by Particle Attachment in Synthetic, Biogenic, and Geologic Environments,” Science 349, aaa6760-1/9 [DOI], 2015
- A.I. Lupulescu, J.D. Rimer, “In Situ Imaging of Silicalite-1 Surface Growth Reveals the Mechanism of Crystallization,” Science 344, 729-732 [DOI], 2014
Selected Publications
- Chung, J., Granja, I., Taylor, M.G., Mpourmpakis, G., Asplin, J.R., and Rimer, J.D., “Molecular Modifiers Reveal a Mechanism of Pathological Crystal Growth Inhibition”, Nature 536, 446-450, 2016
- Ghorbanpour, A., Rimer, J.D., Grabow, L.C., "Computational assessment of the dominant factors governing the mechanism of methanol dehydration over H-ZSM-5 with heterogeneous Al distribution", ACS Catalysis 6, 2287-2298, 2016
- Kumar, M., Li, R., Rimer, J.D., "Assembly and Evolution of Amorphous Precursors in Zeolite L Crystallization", Chemistry of Materials 28, 1714-1727, 2016
- Lupulescu, A.I., Qin, W., Rimer, J.D., "Tuning Zeolite Precursor Interactions by Switching the Valence of Polyamine Modifiers“, Langmuir 32, 11888-11898, 2016
- Olafson, K.N., Alamani, B.G., Li, R., Rimer, J.D., “Engineering Crystal Modifiers: Bridging Classical and Nonclassical Crystallization“, Chem. Mater. 28, 8453-8465 (*Cover Artwork), 2016
- Oleksiak, M.D., Ghorbanpour, A., Conato, M.T., McGrail, B.P., Grabow, L.C., Motkuri, R.K., Rimer, J.D., “Novel Synthesis Strategies for Ultrastable Zeolite GIS Polymorphs as Sorbents for Selective Separations“, Chem. Eur. J. 22, 16078-16088, (*Cover Artwork), 2016
- Oleksiak, M.D., Soltis, J.A., Conato, M.T., Penn, R.L., Rimer, J.D., "Nucleation of FAU and LTA Zeolites from Heterogeneous Aluminosilicate Precursors“, Chem. Mater. 28, 4906-4916, 2016
- Ramamoorthy, S., Kwak, J.H., Karande, P., Farmanesh, S., Rimer, J.D., “A High-throughput Assay for Screening Modifiers of Calcium Oxalate Crystallization“, AIChE J. 62, 3538-3546, 2016
- Rimer, J.D. and Tsapatsis, M., "Nucleation of Open Framework Materials: Navigating the Voids", Materials Research Society Bulletin 41, 393-398, 2016
- Conato, M.T., Oleksiak, M.D., McGrail, B.P., Motkuri, R.K., Rimer, J.D., “Framework Stabilization of Si-Rich LTA Zeolite Prepared in Organic-Free Media”, Chem. Commun. 51, 269-272, 2015
- De Yoreo, J.J., Gilbert, P.U.P.A., Sommerdijk, N.A.J.M., Penn, R.L., Whitelam, S., Joester, D., Zhang, H.Z., Rimer, J.D., Navrotsky, A., Banfield, J.F., Wallace, A.F., Michel, F.M., Meldrum, F.C., Cölfen, H. Dove, P.M., "Crystallization by Particle Attachment in Synthetic, Biogenic, and Geologic Environments", Science 349, aaa6760-1/9, 2015
- Farmanesh, S., Alamani, B.G., and Rimer, J.D., "Identifying Alkali Metal Inhibitors of Crystal Growth: A Selection Criterion based on Ion Pair Hydration Energy", Chemical Communications 51, 13964-13967, 2015
- Ghorbanpour, A., Gumidyala, A., Grabow, L.C., Crossley, S.P., Rimer, J.D., "Epitaxial Growth of ZSM @ Silicalite-1: A Core-Shell Zeolite Designed with Passivated Surface Acidity", ACS Nano 9, 4006-4016, 2015
- Kumar, M., Luo, H., Román-Leshkov, Y., Rimer, J.D., "SSZ-13 Crystallization by Particle Attachment and Deterministic Pathways to Crystal Size Control", Journal of the American Chemical Society 137, 13007-13017, 2015
- Olafson, K.N., Ketchum, M.A., Rimer, J.D., Vekilov, P.G., "Molecular Mechanisms of Hematin Crystallization from Organic Solvent", Crystal Growth & Design 15, 5535-5542, 2015
- Olafson, K.N., Ketchum, M.A., Rimer, J.D., Vekilov, P.G., "Mechanisms of Hematin Crystallization and Inhibition by the Antimalarial Drug Chloroquine", Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 112, 4946-4951, 2015
- Vekilov, P.G., Rimer, J.D., Olafson, K.N., Ketchum, M.A., "Lipid or Aqueous Medium for Hematin Crystallization?", Crystal Engineering Communications 17, 7790-7800, 2015
- Farmanesh, S., Chung, J., Kwak, J.H., Sosa, R.D., Karande, P., Rimer, J.D., “Natural Promoters of Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate Crystallization”, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 136, 12648-12657, 2014
- Farmanesh, S., Ramamoorthy, S., Chung, J., Asplin, J.R., Karande, P., Rimer, J.D., "Specificity of Growth Inhibitors and their Cooperative Effects in Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate Crystallization", J. Am. Chem. Soc., 136, 367-376, 2014
- Ghorbanpour, A., Rimer, J.D., Grabow, L.C., "Periodic, vdW-Corrected Density Functional Theory Investigation of the Effect of Al Siting in H-ZSM-5 on Chemisorption Properties and Site Specific Acidity", Catal. Commun., 52, 98-102, 2014
- Lupulescu, A.I. and Rimer, J.D., "In Situ Imaging of Silicalite-1 Surface Growth Reveals the Mechanism of Crystallization," Science, 344, 729-732, 2014
- Olafson, K.N., Rimer, J.D., Vekilov, P.G., “Growth of Large Hematin Crystals in Biomimetic Solutions”, Cryst. Growth Des.,14, 2123-2127, 2014
- Oleksiak, M.D. and Rimer, J.D., "Synthesis of Zeolites in the Absence of Organic Structure-Directing Agents: Factors Governing Crystal Selection and Polymorphism", Rev. Chem. Eng., 30, 1-49, 2014
- Rimer, J.D., Kumar, M., Li, R., Lupulescu, A.I., Oleksiak, M.D., “Tailoring the Physicochemical Properties of Zeolite Catalysts”, Catal. Sci. Technol., 4, 3762-3771, 2014
- Farmanesh, S., Chung, J., Chandra, D., Sosa, R.D., Karande, P., Rimer, J.D., "High-Throughput Platform for Design and Screening of Peptides as Inhibitors of Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate Crystallization," J. Cryst. Growth, 373, 13-19, 2013
- Ketchum, M.A., Olafson, K.N., Rimer, J.D., Vekilov, P.G., "Hematin Crystallization from Aqueous and Organic Solvents," J. Chem. Phys., 139, 121911(1-9), 2013
- Lupulescu, A.I., Kumar, M., Rimer, J.D., "A Facile Strategy to Design Zeolite L Crystals with Tunable Morphology and Surface Architecture", J. Am. Chem. Soc., 135, 6608-6617, 2013
- Maldonado, M., Oleksiak, M.D., Chinta, S., Rimer, J.D., "Controlling Crystal Polymorphism in Organic-Free Synthesis of Na-Zeolites", J. Am. Chem. Soc., 135, 2641-2652 (*Cover artwork. *Selected as a JACS Spotlight.), 2013
- Tanneru, C.T., Rimer, J.D., Chellam, S., "Sweep Flocculation and Adsorption of Viruses on Aluminum Flocs During Electrochemical Treatment Prior to Surface Water Microfiltration",Environ. Sci. Technol., 47, 4612-4618, 2013
- Gamage, N.P., Rimer, J.D., Chellam, S., “Fouling Reductions by Aluminum Electroflotation Pretreatment of Surface Water Microfiltration,” J. Membrane Sci., 411-412, 45-53, 2012
- Lupulescu, A.I. and Rimer, J.D., “Tailoring Silicalite-1 Crystal Morphology with Molecular Modifiers,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 51, 3345-3349 (*Cover Artwork.), 2012
- Pragasam, V., Rimer, J.D., Kolbach, A.M., Ward, M.D., Kleinman, J.G., Wesson, J.A., “Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate Aggregation Induced by Aggregation of Desialylated Tamm-Horsfall Protein,” Urol. Res., 39, 269-282, 2011
- Rimer, J.D., An, Z., Zhu, Z., Lee, M.H., Wesson, J.A., Goldfarb, D.S., Ward, M.D., “Crystal Growth Inhibitors for the Prevention of L-Cystine Kidney Stones Through Molecular Design,” Science 330, 337-341 (*Cover Artwork. *Selected for a Science Perspectives article. *Highlighted in C&E News, October 2010), 2010
- Rimer, J.D., Trofymluk, O., Lobo, R.F., Navrotsky, A., Vlachos, D.G., “Thermodynamics of Silica Nanoparticle Self-Assembly in Basic Solutions of Monovalent Cations,” J. Phys. Chem. C, 112, 14754-14761, 2008
- Rimer, J.D., Roth, D.D., Lobo, R.F., Vlachos, D.G., “Self-Assembly and Phase Behavior of Germanium Oxide Nanoparticles in Basic Aqueous Solutions,” Langmuir, 23, 2784-2791, 2007
- Rimer, J.D., Trofymluk, O., Navrotsky, A., Lobo, R.F., Vlachos, D.G., “Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies of Silica Nanoparticle Dissolution,” Chem. Mater., 19, 4189-4197, 2007
- Rimer, J.D., Fedeyko, J.M., Vlachos, D.G., Lobo, R.F., “Silica Self-Assembly and the Synthesis of Microporous and Mesoporous Silicates,” Chem. Eur. J., 12, 2926-2934, 2006
- Rimer, J.D., Lobo, R.F., Vlachos, D.G., “Physical Basis for the Formation and Stability of Silica Nanoparticles in Basic Solutions of Monovalent Cations,” Langmuir, 21, 8960-8971, 2005
- Rimer, J.D., Vlachos, D.G., Lobo, R.F., “Evolution of Self-Assembled Silica Tetrapropylammonium Nanoparticles at Elevated Temperatures,” J. Phys. Chem. B, 109, 12762-12771, 2005
- Fedeyko, J.M., Rimer, J.D., Lobo, R.F., Vlachos, D.G., “Spontaneous Formation of Silica Nanoparticles in Basic Solutions of Small Tetraalkylammonium Cations,” J. Phys. Chem. B,108, 12271-12275, 2004
- Kragten, D.D., Fedeyko, J.M., Sawant, K.R., Rimer, J.D., Vlachos, D.G., Lobo, R.F., “Structure of the Silica Phase Extracted from Silica/(TPA)OH Solutions Containing Nanoparticles,” J. Phys. Chem. B, 107, 10006-10016, 2003