The La Pierre group studies how collective magnetic, physical, and chemical properties arise from electron (de)localization phenomena and competing interactions in f-element systems. Specifically, the group pairs the synthesis of novel lanthanide (La – Lu) and actinide (Th – Am) materials and complexes with synchrotron and neutron spectroscopies and physical property studies to break down the challenge of understanding the electronic structure of f-element systems. Efforts to-date have focused on the analysis of several phenomena including intermediate coupling, multiconfigurational electronic structures (ground state degeneracy including hybridization with ligand/band states), mixed-valence metal ions (i.e. mixed f/d occupancy and mixed-oxidation states), and magnetic super-exchange (i.e. exchange coupled systems). The systems that the group has synthesized and analyzed have led to novel understanding of f-element electronic structure. The group has also developed the use of unusual oxidation state f-elements in quantum information science and quantum materials. The synthetic efforts have also led to pioneering facilities, instrumentation (electrochemistry), and methods for the synthesis and characterization of transuranic molecular complexes (Np – Am).