Past Spotlights
On Par with the President
The latest episode of On Par with President Tate features LSU Chemistry Assistant Professor Fatima Rivas. Learn how Dr. Rivas is conducting breakthrough research and advocating for underrepresented populations in STEM.
New Funding
LSU Professor and William A. Pryor Chair in Chemistry Mario Rivera recently received a five-year $3.69M NIH R01 grant to develop a new strategy to kill biofilm-embedded cells and combat biofilm infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.
GEORGE H. DEER DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARD
Senior Instructor Caroline Schneider received the 2022 George H. Deer Distinguished Teaching Award from the University College.
SEC Faculty Award
LSU Boyd Professor Dr. Graça Vicente has been named winner of the 2022 SEC Faculty Achievement Award for Louisiana State University.
Time-lapse polymerization patent
LSU Chemistry Professor John A. Pojman and his research team utilized watermelon seed powder in developing a recently patented method for cure-on-demand and time-lapse polymerization. | Read more
Natural-based therapy for Breast Cancer
Assistant Professor Fatima Rivas and a collaborator from Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine discovered a natural-based therapy to treat an aggressive form of breast cancer.
Graduate Studies Office
The Department of Chemistry has one of LSU’s largest Ph.D. programs, valuing diversity, research, and teaching. Starting the spring 2022 semester, the department will continue its dedication to a strong graduate studies program with new leadership team.
LSU Chemists Unlock the Key to Improving Biofuel and Biomaterial Production
In a new study published in Nature Communications, the Wang research team reveal how carbohydrates interact with lignin to form plant biomass. This new information can help advance the development of better technology to use biomass for energy and materials. Learn more
AAAS FELLOW
Associate Professor of Research and Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy was named an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow for her contributions to the field of STEM education.
Celebrating 44 Years of Excellence
After an illustrious 44-year career in science and academia, LSU Boyd Professor Isiah M. Warner retired on Dec. 31, 2021.
Boyd Professorship
Professor Graca Vicente was named Boyd Professor, LSU's highest professorial ranking.
Chemical Education
Associate Professor of Research in Chemistry Education and the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy is one of the guest editors on a special issue for the Journal of Chemical Education, entitled “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect in Chemistry Education Research and Practice." > Special Issue
JACS Cover Feature
The solid-state NMR study of microalgae cells by the Wang research group is featured on the front cover of the Journal of the American Chemical Society > Poulhazan et al.
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Patent for Hydrophobically Modified Polypeptoids |
LSU Chemistry Professor Donghui Zhang recently received a patent for various hydrophobically modified polypeptoids (HMPs), their synthetic methods, and their applications for liposomal drug delivery > Patent Summary |
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Understanding How Pathogenic Fungi Build Their Carbohydrate Armor |
In a new study published in Nature Communications, Associate Professor Tuo Wang and his research team from the Department of Chemistry at Louisiana State University revealed the molecular architecture of fungal cell walls and the structural responses to stresses, aiding the development of antifungal drugs targeting cell wall components > News Feature |
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Featured Alumnus | |
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NOBCChE Conference Awardees |
At the 2021 NOBCChE Conference, three graduate students from LSU Chemistry received poster or oral presentation awards: Fatimat O. Badmus, Aderonke Simi Folorunso, and Callie M. Stern. |
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NSF AWARD |
A team of researchers from LSU and the University of Delaware received a $4M grant from the NSF EPSCOR program to develop chemical manufacturing processes using carbon dioxide feedstocks and renewable energy. Assistant Professor Noémie Elgrishi, a project Co-PI, and her research team will be working on the electrode interface, particularly interactions with catalysts and binders to improve selectivity and durability of CO₂ electrolyzers > Engineering feature |
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DOE AWARD |
An LSU and Penn State research team, including LSU Chemistry Associate Professor Revati Kumar, received a $1.5M grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a smarter approach to ionic separations, which are important for water treatment, resource recovery, and energy production > ORED Feature |
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Staff Stripes award |
LSU Chemistry Graduate Coordinator Kim Mollere received a 2021 LSU Staff Stripes Award. The award recognizes staff who have earned their stripes through their hard work and dedication to LSU. |
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Communication-Intensive Courses |
LSU Chemistry is integrating communication-building activities into course content to improve student understanding of material and communication skills > Learn more |
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Hydroformylation Catalysts | |
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Vicente Receives NSF Funding |
LSU Chemistry Professor Graça Vicente received NSF funding to study the synthesis, properties, and dynamics of BODIPY-based fluorophores. |
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Undergraduate Studies Office |
Starting summer 2021, the LSU Chemistry undergraduate office appointed a highly talented and dynamic team of faculty and staff. Associate Professor Rendy Kartika will serve as the Director of Undergraduate Studies; Senior Instructor Kandace Hurst will serve as the Director of Undergraduate Laboratories; Mrs. Rachel D’Arensbourg will continue as undergraduate coordinator > Meet the Team |
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Center for Innovations in Structural Integrity Assurance |
LSU and Louisiana Tech University were recently awarded an NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center grant to establish the Center for Innovations in Structural Integrity Assurance (CISIA). Professor Les Butler, a co-principal investigator, will provide advanced X-ray and neutron imaging for nondestructive evaluation of components. |
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NMR SPECTROMETER |
The new Bruker AVANCE Neo 700 MHz spectrometer is ready for service. The NMR sprectrometer was funded by a $2M Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). It will serve 23 participating research groups from 12 regional institutions. |
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2020-2021 Ralph E. Powe Award | |
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Featured Alumna | |
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Endowed Professorship |
LSU Chemistry Professor and Department Chair John A. Pojman has been named the Dr. William L. and Patricia H. Senn Jr. Endowed Professor. |
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Chemistry graduate accepted into MIT graduate program | |
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In Memoriam |
Dr. Mildred Smalley (LSU PhD 1972) |
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Ragains Receives NSF Grant |
Associate Professor Justin Ragains received a three-year NSF grant to study novel glycosylation reactions. |
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LSU College of Science Blog |
Learn how LSU Chemistry alumna Dr. Alecia Gabriel is inspiring the next generation of scientists. |
In Memoriam | ||
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Lee Receives STF Award for a VR Facility |
The facility will utilize virtual reality technology to reinforce spatial learning in chemistry undergraduate and graduate courses. |
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2020-2021 Graduate Research & Teaching Awards | |
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35 Years of Teaching Excellence | |
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NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Recipients |
Congratulations to LSU Chemistry graduate students: Rasidah Olubukola Ali, Tiffany Duong, and Marvin Stewart. The NSF GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students from STEM disciplines pursuing research-based graduate degrees > Awardee highlights |
Undergraduate Teaching Award
NSF CAREER Award
Faculty Highlight
"Crown Jewel of Chemistry"
2021 Anatole Abragam Prize

Assistant Professor Tuo Wang for receiving the 2021 Anatole Abragam Prize by the International Society of Magnetic Resonance (ISMAR).
The award recognizes early-career scientists that show evidence of novel and significant contributions to magnetic resonance. Dr. Tuo Wang and Dr. Alex Forse (University of Cambridge) are the two recipients of the 2021 award.
Excellence in Education

LSU Boyd Professor Isiah Warner is the recipient of the 2021 ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry J. Calvin Giddings Award for Excellence in Education.
He was also recognized as one of the 2021 Trailblazers in the latest issue of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN).
2020-2022 Coates Research Scholar Award

Graduate student Bailee Barrett received the 2020-2022 Coates Research Scholar Award for her research project titled: “Investigation of charge patterning effects on the self-assembly of sequence-defined amphiphilic ionic block copolypeptoids in dilute aqueous solution.”
Bailee is a third-year graduate student in the Zhang Research Group. The Coates Research Scholar Award supports promising doctoral research by superior graduate students in chemistry.
LSU Chemistry Alumnus Serving New Role as IPA Plant Chemist
McCarley Awarded Patent
Professor Robin McCarley is a co-inventor on a recently issued U.S. Patent for a biomolecular processing platform and methods suitable for nucleic acid sequencing and protein/polypeptide identification. Patent summary >
New Patent to Improve Detection of Breast Cancer
Professor Les Butler is a co-inventor on a recently awarded U.S. Patent for Phase-Contrast X-Ray Interferometry. Patent summary >
Tom W. Dutton Award
In Memoriam
The LSU community mourns the passing of esteemed alumnus and chemist Charles Barré. Tribute >
Chemistry Professor Receives Creative Message
The Elgrishi research group is helping to improve water quality through the detection
and reduction of chromium. Learn more > Clean water article Displayed in the lobby of Choppin Hall, hangs an abstract architectural painting titled
“Local Matter.” In addition to adding color to the lobby, the painting has hidden
meaning and importance for the department. Learn more > Art feature Virginia Rice Williams Hall represents a legacy of scientific contributions by a woman
in chemistry. Learn more about the life and legacy of Dr. Virginia Rice Williams. The lack of hand sanitizer was a problem for the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office,
who reached out to LSU Chemistry for help preparing about 5,000 gallons of hand rub
sanitizer. Development of Novel Catalysts for Alkyne Metathesis and Virtual Reality Teaching
Methods In a recently published commentary in Nature Reviews Chemistry, LSU Chemistry Alumna, Brea Manuel, provides insight on how to recruit diverse groups
of people, provide them with the resources to flourish, and support them in dreaming
big.Discovery of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals
Improving Water Quality
Chemistry Depicted in Art
Wang Receives ACS Grant To Study Petroleum-Related Materials
Virginia Rice Williams
LSU Tiger Profile
LSU Graduate Combines Physics and Chemistry to Advance Knowledge of Polymers
Vicente Serves in New Role for LSU Research Advancement
Murray Receives NSF Funding to Develop a Mass Microscope
Chemistry Alumnus Helps Keep the Community Safe
Chemistry Graduate Student Receives Alumni Association Scholarship
Lee Receives NSF Funding
LSU Chemistry Alumnus Named 2020 ACS Fellow
Pojman Receives Funding to Investigate Cure-on-demand, Non-skid Coatings for Naval
Ship Decks
New Organic Faculty Members
Recruit and Retain a Diverse Workforce
LSU Secures $2M NMR Spectrometer with NSF Support
Environmental Science: Emerging Investigator Blog Series
Wang Named 2020 DOE CAREER Awardee
Chemistry Alumnus named Director of MSU's Advanced Composites Institute
Chemistry Graduate Student Awards
LSU Chemistry Faculty Collaborate on $20M NSF Funded Project
Prof. Vicente Receives NIH Funding for MARC Program
2020 College of Science Teaching Awards
College of Science Dissertation Award
2020 Chemistry Outstanding Staff Award
Celebrating the Legacy of LSU Chemistry's First African American PhD
LSU Chemistry helping Fill the Need of Critical Supplies
LSU Dissertation Fellowship Awarded to Chemistry Graduate Student
Chemistry Instructor Receives Teaching Awards
Chemistry Graduate Student will Serve as ACS GSSPC Coordinator
Chemistry Senior Accepted into Graduate Program at Columbia University
Tuo Wang Receives DOE Funding for EFRC
LSU College of Science Announces 2020 Hall of Distinction Honorees
Chemistry Senior Accepted into St. Jude Research Program
Weiwei Xie Receives NSF CAREER & LSU Rainmaker Awards
Wang Receives NIH Grant to Study Drug Effects on the Effects on the Carbohydrate Armor
of Fungal Pathogens
Major Discovery in Hydroformylation by Professor Emeritus Stanley
Vickie Thornton Receives Staff Award
LSU Chemistry Welcomes New Chair
Xin Gui Receives Ludo Frevel Scholarship Award
Wang Receives NSF CAREER Award
LSU CHEMISTRY RECEIVES 2019-2020 STUDENT TECH FEE AWARDS
Madalynn Marshall Receives DOE SCGSR AWARD
MARY L. GOOD, 1931-2019
Professor McCarley Receives Patent for Microfluidic Device
Frank Froncek
Professor William A.Pryor
Justin Ragains
Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy
Tuo Wang
Rendy Kartika
Revati Kumar
George Stanley- 2018 Rainmaker Award
GSSPC
March 23rd TEDxLSU Speaker
Professor Kevin Smith, LSU Foundation Distinguished Professor, has been named the
recipient of the 2018 Florida Award of the American Chemical Society. This award was
established in 1952 to recognize leadership and contributions toward the advancement
of the profession of chemistry. Nominees must be residents of the Southeastern United
States and must have made outstanding contributions to teaching, research, publications
or service in advancing the profession. Assistant Professor Daniel G. Kuroda has received a 2018 NSF CAREER Award for his
research project, “Molecular Characterization of Motions, Interactions and Structure
of the Lithium Salts in Organic Solvents via Non-Linear Infrared Spectroscopy.” These
prestigious early-career awards are given to “faculty who have the potential to serve
as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission
of their department or organization.” Graduate Student Symposium Planning Committee (GSSPC): A team of 7 LSU Chemistry graduate
students - Ashley Fulton, Peter Kei, Nichole Kaufman, Judith De Mel, Chris Sumner,
Tia Vargas and Josh Lutz - put together a proposal for a symposium entitled “Artificial
Molecular Machines and the Next Generation of Molecular Control.” They were selected
in a nationwide competition by the current GSSPC from the University of Florida. H. Dupont Durst received his BS from LSU in 1965, engaging in undergraduate research,
with Professor Bill Patrick, on the inorganic chemistry of soils. Durst describes
“Dr. Pat” as an “incredible man and a tremendous mentor.” Durst went on to earn an
MS in Biochemistry at LSU, completing a thesis under the direction of Gerald Risinger,
“On the Mechanism of the Thiamine Catalyzed Reductive Dimerization of Farnesyl Pyrophosphate
to Squalene.” We are also pleased to announce that Cyril & Tuttle Vetter Alumni Professor George
G. Stanley has been named the recipient of the 2018 LSU Outstanding Service Learning
Faculty Award that recognizes "exceptional and sustained commitment to integrating
quality service-learning activities in at least one academic course.” More details
after the Awards Ceremony on May 2nd. White House Announces Two from LSU as Exceptional Science, Mathematics and Engineering
Mentors James William Robinson was born in Kidderminster, England. He attended high school at the King Charles I
Grammar School, endowed by Thomas Blount in 1566 “for the instruction of youth in
good letters and manners.” Jim was proud to be the first alumnus of King Charles I
to receive a PhD. He was an honorary life member of the Old Carolians Association
for former pupils of King Charles I. He served in the British Royal Airforce as a
pilot during World War II. He earned his degrees in Chemistry from the University
of Birmingham, England: Bachelor of Science with Honours (1949), Doctor of Philosophy
(1952) and Doctor of Science (1978). He began his career with the British Civil Service
as a Senior Scientific Officer.Kevin Smith to Receive 2018 Florida Award of the ACS
ACS- LSU Chemistry Social
NSF CAREER Award to Assistant Professor Daniel Kuroda
LSU GSSPC to Host Symposium at Spring 2019 ACS Meeting
Dr. H. Dupont Durst
Professor George G. Stanley received the 2018 LSU Outstanding Service Learning Faculty
Award
Chemistry faculty receive teaching awards
2018 Photo Competition
CGSC Announces Winners
Rolanda Wilkerson Featured in Pursuit Blog
Rolanda Johnson Wilkerson received her BS in Chemistry from Southern University and her PhD in Chemistry from
LSU.
Distinguished Faculty Awards
Weiwei Xie
New Patents!
Wang Group Uncovers Secrets
Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math, and Engineering Mentoring
Dr. John Pojman Featured in "Strange Evidence"
Superbug busters
Jim Robinson (1923-2018)