Our interest and expertise lies in the colloidal synthesis and surface chemistry of materials at the nanoscale. We aim to implement the “ligand of choice” approach to realize desired and distinct functions from a limited set of nanomaterials. Our approach has significantly impacted different areas in nanoscience including self-assembly, catalysis, photochemistry and photophysics. The diversity of the areas benefited showcases the breadth and depth of the impact that ‘surface ligands’ and ‘interplay of forces’ can have in material science. The fact that a mix and match of a wide-range of surface ligands and forces is possible means that “ligand-directed nanochemistry” will keep on surprising by gifting us with outcomes within and beyond our predictions. Looking forward, there’s plenty of room at the surface.