Thomas Theis

NMR and MRI are cherished for their molecular specificity and contrast rich images, but suffer from very low sensitivity. We develop hyperpolarization chemistry using para- hydrogen to enhance NMR and MRI signals by up to 6 orders of magnitude. This enables new applications such as portable NMR and cost- efficient molecular imaging.

Education, Awards and Professional Highlights

• Mercartor Fellowship, German Science Foundation, 2026
• Global One Health Academy Award, NC State University, 2026
• Goodnight Distinguished Scholarship for Molecular Characterization, NC State University, 2023
• Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award, Humboldt Foundation, 2022
• Ampere Prize for Young Investigators, Ampere Society, 2020
• Ph.D. Chemistry University of California at Berkeley (2012)

• M. Sc. Chemistry University of Göttingen (2006)

   

Representative Publications

• High-Resolution Microtesla In-Situ 13C NMR Detection of “Scaled-Up” SABRE-Hyperpolarization of [1-13C]Pyruvate , SSRN Electronic Journal (2026)
• Leveraging Ace-SABRE and PETALUTE to Detect and Image Hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate Metabolism in Yeast , ChemRxiv (2026)
• Photochemically Triggered Para-Hydrogen-Induced Polarization in a Diplatinum Trihydride Complex , ChemRxiv (2026)
• Rapid RASER MRI , Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2026)
• Schnelle RASER‐MRT , Angewandte Chemie (2026)
• Ultra-low field 13C MRI of hyperpolarized pyruvate , Communications Chemistry (2026)
• ¹⁵N SABRE-SHEATH and NMR/DFT Characterization of Amino-Metronidazole, a Metabolic Product of the Antibiotic and Prospective Hypoxia Contrast Agent Metronidazole , The Journal of Physical Chemistry B (2025)
• Efficient 15N hyperpolarization of [15N3]metronidazole antibiotic via spin-relayed pulsed SABRE-SHEATH , Journal of Magnetic Resonance Open (2025)
• Front Cover: Carbon‐13 Hyperpolarization of α‐Ketocarboxylates with Parahydrogen in Reversible Exchange (ChemMedChem 5/2025) , ChemMedChem (2025)