Dr. Maikel Rheinstädter is a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and a member of the Origins Institute at McMaster University. His research group operates at the interface of physics, chemistry, and biology, using a combination of cutting-edge experimental and computational methods to explore fundamental questions about the emergence of complex biological molecules. The lab specializes in developing novel techniques, including acoustic levitation, small-angle X-ray scattering, and molecular dynamics simulations, to study the non-enzymatic formation of RNA-like polymers under prebiotic conditions. This work provides key insights into the physical and chemical environments that could have fostered the origins of life on Earth.
Dr. Rheinstädter is deeply committed to graduate student mentorship and was recognized for this with a nomination for the President’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision in 2022. He is also a recipient of the Early Researcher Award from the Province of Ontario and has been named a McMaster University Scholar. Bridging the gap between fundamental discovery and real-world application, Dr. Rheinstädter has co-founded two companies, Synth-Med Biotechnology Inc. and PentaPink Biotechnology Inc., to commercialize novel platforms developed in his lab for therapeutic applications. His work exemplifies the interdisciplinary approach of the Arts & Science Program, linking foundational scientific inquiry with tangible, innovative outcomes.
