The Dean is pleased to recognize Dr. Vladimir Nesterov as the recipient of this month's Excellence in Mastering Challenges Continuously (E=mc²) Award! This award was established by Dean Quintanilla to recognize outstanding efforts among full-time staff members within the College of Science and its departments.

"It is a great honor to be nominated and receive this recognition," said Dr. Nesterov, who received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry and X-ray analysis from the Russian Academy of Sciences. "I would like to express my gratitude to the people in my department for such a high appraisal of my everyday work."

As the Director of UNT Chemistry's X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory, Dr. Nesterov oversees operations and maintenance of the lab's single crystal X-ray diffractometer, which is currently the most powerful tool for investigating crystalline materials available to scientists. X-ray diffractometers are widely used in chemistry, biology, geology, physics, material science, and the pharmaceutical industry.

So far in his sixteen years in this position at UNT, Dr. Nesterov said he has investigated the structures of over 3,000 different compounds: organic, organometallic, inorganic, and everything in between. For many of these investigations, he prepared publication materials for high impact peer-reviewed journals and has co-authored over 150 articles.

"From single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments we can obtain 3D structures of molecules, clusters, and complexes, as well as analyze their interactions in crystals," he explained.

Dr. Nesterov works not only with UNT faculty, but other local universities and researchers, and many of these individuals and groups are collaborating with scientists around the world, including India, Bangladesh, Jordan, and China. His day-to-day work also involves training and assisting students and postdoctoral researchers on the equipment and teaching different approaches to grow better crystalline materials.

"I like helping and supporting our students in their research projects, preparing them for success in their future careers," he said.

"Dr. Nesterov is an underrated and essential staff member of the chemistry department," said Cindy Archambault, a graduate student of UNT Chemistry. "He is a kind and caring person who wants to see the department succeed through supporting researchers (faculty and students alike) in their ongoing research. He is always willing to provide advice and support when I bring him a sample for analysis or even if I just see him in the hallway. He cares about the research but also the people behind the research."

Prior to coming to UNT, Dr. Nesterov conducted research for ten years at the New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He said the journey to get here has not been easy, but it was worth the effort.

"Before coming to the United States, I lived in three different countries and after many years of hard work I was invited to come to the states and join a NASA team on a materials science project," he said. "When I first came to UNT years later, I met several very friendly and supportive people who made me feel welcome and helped me settle down in Denton. Today I try to extend such a welcoming attitude towards all new people who join our department."

Dr. Nesterov was also the recipient of the 2024 Staff Excellence in Research Award from the UNT Office of the President. When not working in the lab and helping others, he enjoys reading, doing yard work, spending time with family and friends, and riding his bicycle through the neighborhood.

If you'd like to nominate a deserving staff member for the next E=mc² award, please complete this nomination form.