The Strauss Research Group (SRG) operates at the interface of synthetic methods development and polymer science. The broad goal of our research program is to challenge conventional synthetic ideologies in the design of polymeric materials of varying dimensionality. We believe that by harnessing the power of modern catalytic reactions, we can develop new synthetic tools to enable unprecedented control of polymer microstructure. Developing these new synthetic methods will allow us to engineer emergent physical, mechanical, and transport-based phenomena in soft-materials. We believe that a collaborative approach is essential in developing, understanding, and applying these newly developed methods in a practical and targeted fashion. Researchers within the SRG will receive training in synthetic, organometallic, physical organic, polymer, and materials chemistry.