Assistant Professor
Biomedical and Chemical Engineering
367 Link Hall
vjcybuls@syr.edu
315.443.4053
Education
- Postdoctoral, Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 2016-2018
- Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, 2016
- B.S., Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, 2005
Teaching
- CEN 412: Chemical Engineering Laboratory II
- CEN 474: Process Design
- CEN 429/629: Methods in Materials Characterization
Areas of Expertise:
- Heterogeneous Catalysis
- Kinetics and Reaction Mechanisms
- Synthetic Materials Chemistry
- Zeolites and Molecular Sieves
The Cybulskis lab focuses on understanding the molecular details of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions and designing reactive micro-environments to enable pathways for selective chemical transformations that safeguard our ecosystem from harmful emissions and pollutants. We are primarily interested in zeolites and molecular sieves. The well-defined, molecular-sized pores and cavities in these structures can be tailored with distinct catalytic sites and confining voids, allowing them to function as tunable nanoreactors.
Our experimental research approach combines materials synthesis, catalyst characterization, fundamental reaction kinetics, and mechanistic studies to fundamentally understand how the physicochemical properties of porous inorganic solids govern their intrinsic catalytic performance for applications in chemical manufacturing and emissions control. Current research topics include:
- Carbon-carbon coupling of oxygenated molecules by cooperative acid-base sites in zeolites
- Tandem catalytic pathways for direct epoxidation of alkenes
- Methane abatement through low-temperature catalytic oxidation
Selected Publications
He, W.; Potts, D.S.; Zhang, Z.; Liu, B.; Schuarca, R.L.; Hwang, S-J.; Bond, J.Q.; Flaherty, D.W.; Cybulskis, V.J.; “Lewis acidity and substituent effects influence aldehyde enolization and C-C coupling in beta zeolites.” Journal of Catalysis. 2023, 427, 115105-115118.
Roslova, M.; Cybulskis, V.J.; Davis, M.E.; Zones, S.I.; Zou, X.; Xie, D. “Structure Elucidation and Computationally Guided Synthesis of SSZ-43: A One-Dimensional 12-Membered Ring Zeolite with Unique Sinusoidal Channels.” Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 2022, 61, 1-9. (Hot Paper).
Zhu, R.; Liu, B.; Wang, S.; Huang, X.; Schuarca, R.L.; He, W.; Cybulskis, V.J.; Bond, J.Q. “Understanding the Mechanism(s) of Ketone Oxidation on VOx/γ-Al2O3.” Journal of Catalysis. 2021, 404, 109-127.
Cybulskis, V.J.; Gounder, R.; Mojarad, S.; Davis, M.E. “Initiating a Research-Focused Academic Career in Chemical Engineering: Perspectives from Faculty at Different Career Stages.” AIChE Journal. 2020, 66(4), 1-9.
Guo, Q.; Ren, L.; Kumar, P.; Cybulskis, V.J.; Mkhoyan, A.K.; Davis, M.E.; Tsapatsis, M.; “A Chromium Hydroxide/MIL-101(Cr) Composite Catalyst and its use for Selective Glucose Isomerization to Fructose.” Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 2018, 130, 5020-5024.