Polymers are large chain molecules that consist of many repeat units connected to each other. Depending on the structure of repeat units, polymers can be imparted with different properties that make them useful in a remarkably wide range of applications, from drug delivery vehicles to bullet-proof vests. The size of polymeric molecules also makes them ideally suitable for constructing assemblies on the nanometer length-scale, unique materials for the emerging field of nanotechnology. In our group, we focus on shape-persistent macromolecules as building blocks for nanoscale assemblies and functional materials. We develop novel synthetic methodologies to generate diverse libraries of unique polymeric structures, which allows us to probe different aspects of molecular assembly and to fabricate materials with desired biological and electronic responses. Our research efforts address ongoing challenges in the broad fields of materials and biomedical sciences, including nanodevice construction, DNA sequencing, drug delivery and molecular electronics. Three specific areas of focus are organic nanotubes, b-peptide-based materials, and semiconducting polymers. The multidisciplinary nature of the program allows students to acquire diverse synthetic and analytical skills and develop broad scientific vision.