Past Spotlights
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.
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.
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.
2020-2021 Ralph E. Powe Award
Featured Alumna
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.
Chemistry graduate accepted into MIT graduate program
In Memoriam
LSU PhD 1972
Ragains Receives NSF Grant
Associate Professor Justin Ragains received a three-year NSF grant to study novel glycosylation reactions.
LSU College of Science Blog
Learn how LSU Chemistry alumna Dr. Alecia Gabriel is inspiring the next generation of scientists.
In Memoriam
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.
2020-2021 Graduate Research & Teaching Awards
35 Years of Teaching Excellence
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Recipients
Congratulations to LSU Chemistry graduate students:
Rasidah Olubukola Ali
Tiffany Duong
Marvin Stewart
The NSF GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students from STEM disciplines pursuing research-based graduate degrees.
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)
Each Spring, LSU’s Office of Research & Economic Development, in collaboration with
the Campus Federal Credit Union and the Council on Research selects “rainmakers” at
three different career stages. There are parallel awards...
After much planning and anticipation, members of the Department of Chemistry, the
Department of Physics & Astronomy, the Cain Department of Chemical Engineering and
the LSU Graduate School gathered with descendants of Dean Charles E. Coates (1886-1939)
for a special celebration on Thursday, March 16th, 2017.
The LSU College of Science will induct four new members into its Hall of Distinction.
This year’s class includes LSU Professor Emeritus in Geology & Geophysics Jeffrey
Hanor, LSU Professor Emeritus in Chemistry Neil Kestner, LSU alumnus and NASA research
scientist Donald Kniffen, and Director Emerita of LSU’s Center for Academic Success
and retired chemistry professor Saundra McGuire. This year’s class includes LSU Professor
Emeritus in Geology & Geophysics Jeffrey Hanor, LSU Professor Emeritus in Chemistry
Neil Kestner, LSU alumnus and NASA research scientist Donald Kniffen, and Director
Emerita of LSU’s Center for Academic Success and retired chemistry professor Saundra
McGuire.
Graduates and their decorated caps: Elora Doskey, Sarah Hahn and Rebecca Moore Principal Scientist and Brand Ambassador at Zatarain’s in New Orleans, LA Zehua Zhou’s winner image of the 2017 ATCC Photo Contest, which shows human HEp2 cells
co-stained with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tracker and a BODIPY synthesized in my
laboratory by former PhD student Ning Zhao (graduated with PhD in December 2016, co-advised
by Vicente and Smith).
On Thursday, August 3rd, College of Science Dean, Cynthia Peterson, hosted a “lunch
and learn" for emeritus and retired faculty. The event was held at the new LSU Foundation
Center for Philanthropy on Nicholson Drive. The meeting was well-attended, with Chemistry
proudly outnumbering the other departments. Over lunch, Dean Peterson introduced herself
and shared the video of her TEDxLSU talk from earlier in the year titled “Science
and All That Jazz”.
Super Science Saturday (SSS) is a free Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
education event for students in kindergarten to 12th grade, parents, and anyone interested
in seeing science in action. SSS is sponsored by LSU Chemistry, the Baton Rouge local
section of the American Chemical Society (ACS), and LSU Athletics.
Following a nationwide search over the past couple of years, we are delighted to announce
that Professor Mario Rivera will be joining LSU Chemistry in Spring 2018. He will
be the inaugural William A. Pryor Chair in Chemistry. The chair honors the legacy
of Professor Pryor’s research in the field of oxidative biology and free radicals.
The primary criterion for the chair is that research interests lie at the interface
of chemistry, biology and medicine, with clear relevance to human health.
Assistant Professor Ken Lopata has received an Early Career Award from the US Department
of Energy (DOE). This program, now in its eighth year, supports the development of
individual research programs of outstanding scientists, at universities and national
laboratories, early in their careers and stimulates research careers in the disciplines
supported by the DOE Office of Science. The grant is for $750,000 for a period of
5 years, starting September 2017, from the Basic Energy Sciences Division..
In Fall of 1997, Professors George Stanley and Pat Limbach began sending LSU students
out into the community to teach a thematic set of scientific concepts to a class in
a local school. The lessons featured exciting, hands-on demonstrations … and so was
born ChemDemo.
On Friday, October 6th, Dr. Emory Chan delivered an elegant lecture titled, “High-Throughput
Design of Doped Colloidal Nanocrystals.” He explained the energy transfer pathways
of lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles and we learned about the combinatorial
synthesis of these carefully designed nanoparticles, using robots called WANDA and
HERMAN.
Assistant Professor Noémie Elgrishi’s, “A Practical Beginner’s Guide to Cyclic Voltammetry”
with postdoctoral mentor Jillian Dempsey and other co-authors Kelley Rountree, Brian
McCarthy and Eric Rountree has just been named an Editors’ Choice article in the Journal
of Chemical Education.
Rainmaker Awards
A Celebration of the Contributions of the Coates Family
LSU College of Science Salutes 2017 Hall of Distinction Honorees
LSU 2017 Spring Commencement
LSU chemistry department develops fingerprint sampling technology
Murray Group develops fingerprint sampling technology
Dr. Claude J. Davis
Emanuel Waddell
2017 ATCC Photo Contest
Emeritus Faculty Lunch
Chemistry Senior Carson Szot featured by COS Pursuit blog
Super Science Saturday
Mario Rivera joins LSU
Kenneth Lopata - 2017 DOE early career awardee
Celebrating 20 Years of ChemDemo
2017 Benjamin P. Boussert Lecture
Nesterov Group: DOE Says Mission No Longer Impossible
A Practical Beginner's Guide to Cyclic Voltammetry
LSU Chemistry mourns the passing of Harold Barry Dellinger, Professor Emeritus. On Friday, September 23rd, the Department of Chemistry hosted the 2016 Benjamin Pierre
Boussert Lecture. The lecture was delivered by Professor Delia Milliron of the University
of Texas at Austin. Delia and Benjamin were graduate students together in the Alivisatos
Laboratory at UC Berkeley.
On December 16th, 7 BS, 2 MS Graduates and 10 PhD graduates of our Department were
honored at a morning ceremony in the Maddox Fieldhouse. The commencement speaker was
Boyd Professor Isiah M. Warner. Professor John Pojman represented the LSU Graduate
Council, awarding all graduate level degrees.
Visiting Louis Haber’s lab in the Department of Chemistry at LSU is like visiting
a neighborhood lit up for the holidays. In the lab, a long table is adorned with hundreds
of small metal stands holding mirrors of various shapes. Laser beams bend their way
around the table like reflections...
Silver and Gold: Using Lasers and Nanoparticles to Improve Drug DeliveryBarry Dellinger -Obituary
Boussert Lecture
December 2016 Graduates
Silver and Gold: Using Lasers and Nanoparticles to Improve Drug Delivery
