Alyssa-Jennifer Avestro
Dr Alyssa-Jennifer Avestro
Royal Society-GCRF Dorothy Hodgkin Fellow
Our research explores how molecular topology and electronic interactions across three-dimensional space can be used to create functional organic materials with properties inaccessible to conventional planar π-conjugated systems.
A central goal of the group is to establish chemical topology as a design principle for molecular materials. By controlling molecular shape, geometry and structural dynamics, we seek to understand how electrons, ions and excited states behave within complex three-dimensional architectures and how these behaviours can be harnessed to create new functional materials. Our research combines synthetic organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, spectroscopy, electrochemistry and computation.
Three-Dimensional π-Architectures
We develop molecular polygons, macrocycles, cages and related framework architectures that organise π-conjugated components within well-defined three-dimensional space. These systems provide unique opportunities to promote and control through-space conjugation, enabling electronic communication pathways that extend beyond conventional through-bond interactions.
By precisely controlling molecular topology, internal free volume and structural dynamics, we seek to understand how through-space electronic coupling can influence optical, chiroptical and electrochemical behaviour. Our goal is to establish new design principles for functional molecular materials in which electronic properties emerge not only from molecular composition, but also from the three-dimensional arrangement of molecular building blocks.
These studies provide a foundation for understanding charge transport, charge storage and other emergent phenomena in complex molecular systems while expanding the design space available for redox-active, conductive and responsive organic materials.
Selected publications: Adv. Mater. 2015, 27, 2907–2912: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 4442–4449.
Multifunctional Helicenes
Helicenes and related non-planar π-conjugated molecules occupy a unique position at the intersection of molecular topology, chirality and electronic structure.
Our research explores how helical topology gives rise to emergent optical, chiroptical, photophysical and electrochemical behaviour. Particular interests include through-space electronic communication, supramolecular assembly and redox-responsive electronic structures.
A major focus of the group is understanding how sterics and strain-induced topology can be used to control electron delocalisation and aromaticity in chiral three-dimensional molecular systems. We are especially interested in stimuli-induced aromaticity, where chemical, electrochemical or photophysical inputs trigger changes in electronic structure, leading to unusual forms of aromatic stabilisation and new modes of molecular function. These studies provide a platform for uncovering fundamental relationships between topology, electron delocalisation and molecular behaviour while informing the development of future photonic, chiral and molecular electronic materials.
Selected publications: Nature Chem. 2023, 15, 516–525; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 17882–17889.
Organic Materials for Energy Storage
Many of the design principles emerging from our fundamental studies can be applied to challenges in electrochemical energy storage.
We develop redox-active organic materials for rechargeable batteries and related technologies, with particular emphasis on understanding how molecular topology, electronic coupling and structural dynamics influence charge storage and ion transport. Current interests range from redox-active molecular architectures for organic batteries to dynamic supramolecular materials capable of maintaining high ionic conductivity across multiple phases of matter.
These systems provide both a practical testing ground for molecular design principles developed through our fundamental research and a route towards more sustainable energy-storage technologies.
Selected publications: Science 2025, 390, 1254–1258; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202409757; Adv. Electronic Mater. 2026, 12, e00884.
Alyssa-Jennifer Avestro is a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oxford, where she leads a research programme at the interface of organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry and molecular materials science.
She received a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry (Materials) from the University of California, Berkeley (2010) before completing a PhD in Chemistry at Northwestern University (2015) under the supervision of Sir Fraser Stoddart FRS as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. During this time, she also held a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship at the Université de Genève with Professor Stefan Matile. Following doctoral studies, Alyssa relocated to the UK as a Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowship at Durham University (2016) before establishing her independent research programme as a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellow since 2019. She relocated her research fellowship activities to Oxford Chemistry in September 2025.
Her research seeks to understand how molecular topology influences electronic behaviour in redox-active organic molecules and materials. By combining molecular design, synthesis and physical characterisation, her group investigates through-space electronic interactions, aromaticity, chirality and energy storage in complex three-dimensional molecular systems. A central theme of her work is the development of chemical topology as a design principle for molecular materials, enabling new approaches to controlling molecular function through shape, geometry and structural dynamics.
Alongside research, Alyssa has contributed to a range of professional initiatives including service and leadership roles as a committee member of the RSC MASC Interest Group (since 2024), the former Co-Director and Chemistry Lead of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Materials for Net Zero at the University of York (2023-2025), the York Chemistry Postdoctoral and Research Fellows Champion (2020-2025), and MHFA England Mental Health First Aider (since 2014). She is particularly interested in mentorship, research culture and fostering inclusive and supportive research environments.
