Eli Zysman-Colman was born in April of 1975 in Montreal, Quebec. He received his BSc in physics from McGill University in 1998. He switched to the chemistry department at McGill where he completed his doctorate under the supervision of David N. Harpp. There he studied the physical properties and isomeric relationships of polychalcogens: Notably dialkoxy disulfides, thionosulfites and polysulfides. After obtaining his PhD in 2004, Eli started as a FQRNT postdoctoral fellow at the Organisch-chemisches Institut at the Universität Zürich in Zürich, Switzerland with Jay S. Siegel. The primary focus of his work there was the total synthesis of a molecular trefoil knot. Eli then moved to Princeton University in 2006 to work with Stefan Bernhard in the chemistry department as a PCCM fellow. While at Princeton, Eli worked on improving the design of light emitting electrochemical cells (LEECs) through ligand modification about iridium complexes. Eli began as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Université de Sherbrooke in July, 2007. In 2013 Eli moved his research group to the School of Chemistry at the University of St Andrews where he is presently Reader in Optoelectronic Materials. His research program focuses on finding solutions to energy conversion: 1) better luminophoric materials for solid state lighting (OLEDs and LEECs); 2) improved dye design for solar cells (DSSCs and OPVs); 3) development of new materials for electrochemiluminescence applications; 4) new organic transformations through green synthesis using photoredox catalysis. Outside the Lab, Eli enjoys cooking, hiking, playing cards and photography and he has a guilty pleasure for reality TV. (source)