Niklas Gross is a Ph.D. student in the Chemistry Department. He was born and raised in Messel, a small town close to Frankfurt, Germany. He earned his B.S. and M.S. in chemistry from Johannes Gutenberg-University in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Niklas visited Rice University for the first time through an exchange program in 2017, when he worked as a research assistant in the Chemistry department. After graduation from his Master's in Germany, Niklas joined the Link lab in spring 2019. His research focuses on the ultrafast dynamics of metal nanomaterials after optical excitation and their applications. Niklas loves to travel and do sports, and therefore appreciates the active international community as well as the wealth of activities at Rice University.

Favorite thing about Rice:

The family-like community!

Favorite thing about Houston:

The food!

Why did you decide to go to grad school?

I have always had a passion for science, and then I got to know Rice during an exchange semester. The chance to do research and have a great time doing so convinced me to come here for grad school.