Our research is focused on exploring fundamental structure/function relationships of porous hybrid materials and other host guest systems. We are currently investigating host-guest properties and photoactive functionality of metal organic framework materials with applications ranging from gas separation and storage to catalysis and photocatalysis. We are also interested in elucidating electronic structure and molecular excited state geometry changes in transition metal complexes, particularly those relevant to solar energy. Our research in these areas involves a range of electronically and structurally sensitive spectroscopy methods (X-ray, optical, vibrational) employed through in situ, steady state and time-resolved means, to target the unknown and underexplored aspects of these materials. Thanks to the multidisciplinary aspects of the work, our research straddles several research fields from materials and inorganic chemistry to photochemistry and X-ray science.