The Roberts Group is developing stategies that enable access to polycyclic aromatic molecules with applications in catalysis, materials (optical and electronic), and natural product synthesis. Over the last five years, they have developed chemical methods that enable synthetic access to polycyclic aromatic molecules with increasing numbers of rings. Toward systems with three rings, they developed […]
Read MoreMichael Grünwald, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Utah, has been honored with the University Distinguished Teaching Award, recognizing his sustained excellence in teaching, mentoring, curriculum development, and commitment to student learning. A faculty member in the Department of Chemistry, Grünwald is widely known for his research in molecular simulation, nanoscience, and crystallization. […]
Read MoreMatthew Sigman, Distinguished Professor and Peter J. Christine S. Stang Presidential Endowed Chair of Chemistry, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies. In an article by David Pace, Sigman reflects on the early insight that shaped his career: scientists were overlooking […]
Read MoreThe University of Utah Department of Chemistry hosted Professor Hanadi Sleiman of McGill University on March 19, 2026, as the 2026 Stang‑- Burrows‑- Sessler Lecturer. Sleiman, an internationally recognized leader in nucleic acid nanotechnology, brought her pioneering research to campus as part of the department’s most distinguished annual event. Her visit continues a tradition of […]
Read MoreThe University of Utah Department of Chemistry is proud to announce that Professor Gabe Nagy has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry’s Arthur F. Findeis Award for Achievements by a Young Analytical Scientist, sponsored by Altria. This prestigious national award recognizes outstanding early‑career scientists who have already made […]
Read MoreThe Journal of Physical Chemistry B published “From Flux to Function: Extracting Mechanistic Insights from Ion Channels via I–V and I–μ Analyses” by Hannah Weckel-Dahman, Ryan Carlsen, Alexander Daum, and Jessica M. J. Swanson The cover “Unraveling how electrostatic gradients manifest in electrophysiological assays” was created by the Swanson Group. About the Cover: From flux to function: Voltage-responsive […]
Read MoreDrug discovery is like molecular Tetris. Chemists snap atoms together, adjusting the pieces until everything fits and suddenly, a molecule makes a promising new medicine. Normally, creating better molecules consumes huge amounts of time and money. In a new study, researchers used machine learning to build a smarter prediction system that could speed up the […]
Read MoreResearch Corporation for Science Advancement has awarded $800,000 to 11 Cottrell Scholars, including U Chemistry Professor Luisa Whittaker-Brooks, through its RCSA Bridge Awards. This emergency initiative will help stabilize strong research programs that have experienced disruptions due to abrupt changes to their federal funding. “The Bridge awards provide critical continuity to outstanding early-career scientists doing high-potential […]
Read MoreEarlier this January, the Chemistry Department welcomed Sarah Lefave as an Assistant Professor Lecturer. Dr. Lefave joined us after completing her Ph.D. and working as a lab manager here at U Chemistry. We’re thrilled to have Sarah continue her career with us as a Professor! After moving to Utah over a decade ago, Sarah completed […]
Read MoreNow in his 50th year on the faculty of the Department of Chemistry, Joel Harris will retire from the U on January 1, 2026. Joel arrived at the University of Utah on August 12, 1976, only 4 days after defending his dissertation at Purdue University. He was the first analytical chemist appointed to the faculty […]
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