Dr. Zhenwen Fu arrived at the University of Utah's Department of Chemistry in 1984, having just completed a joint English-training program at UCLA and Zhongshan University after earning his B.S. in Physical and Physical Organic Chemistry at Jilin University. Little did he know, the spectroscopy work he was about to begin would set the foundation […]

The University of Utah's Department of Chemistry were pleased on September 14th and 15th to welcome David Russel from Texas A&M University to present at the J. Calvin Giddings Lectureship. The J. Calvin Giddings Lectureship was established in the year 2000 and ever since has hosted outstanding scientist speakers. Professor Russel shared his work on […]

July 15, 2026, in the Department of Chemistry University of Utah’s College of Science runs the ACCESS Scholars program; a program focused on facilitating research along with leadership experiences in science and mathematics for College of Science students. History of ACCESS Originally named the ACCESS Program for Women in Science and Mathematics when it was established in 1991, it had the goal of preparing undergraduate women for success […]

On Saturday, April 26, 2026, we held our semi-annual high-school chemistry teachers’ workshop in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Utah. Organized by professors Michael Morse, Gina Frey, and Jef Statler, the Saturday-morning event brought together more than 60 high school chemistry teachers from across the region. The workshop promotes learning and discussion […]

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 […]

Michael 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. […]

Matthew 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 […]

Pat Unwin from University of Warick was welcomed to the University of Utah's Department of Chemistry on April 27 and 28, 2026 to present the J. Calvin Giddings Lectureship. The J. Calvin Giddings Lectureship was established in the year 2000 and since has hosted outstanding scientist speakers. Professor Pat Unwin shared his work on The […]

Two rising researchers in the University of Utah’s Department of Chemistry—Connor Ambrose and Kenny Drbohlav, both students in the Luo Lab at the University of Utah Chemistry—have earned national recognition through the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP), one of the nation’s most competitive and respected awards for early-career scientists. The NSF […]