The UCLA chapter of the Student Members of the American Chemical Society (SMACS) has received two honors: the Outstanding ACS Student Communities Award, a rarity among Tier 1 research universities, and the 2025–26 Green Chemistry Student Chapter Award.
The Outstanding ACS Student Communities Award recognizes SMACS for its efforts to build a strong community within UCLA’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. The Green Chemistry Student Chapter Award recognizes student groups that promote green chemistry and sustainability.
During the 2025–26 academic year, SMACS, in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, hosted a fall-quarter student-faculty mixer, giving students the opportunity to connect with faculty, learn about their research, and explore the opportunities available within the department. SMACS also hosted several industry talks featuring companies such as PPG and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, introducing students to potential career paths in chemistry. In addition, faculty talks organized by SMACS highlighted innovative research at UCLA, helping students learn about the breadth of research conducted in the department.
SMACS also organized science outreach events, including a booth at Exploring Your Universe, where members introduced children to polymer chemistry through an “instant snow” demonstration. At the end of the academic year, SMACS partnered with AXΣ and the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry to host an undergraduate research poster session, showcasing the innovative research conducted by UCLA undergraduates and giving students and faculty an opportunity to learn about their work.
The award-winning chapters will also be honored at the ACS Student Communities Awards Ceremony at the ACS Spring 2027 meeting.
SMACS has a strong history of recognition for its green chemistry initiatives, having received Green Chemistry Student Chapter Awards in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024. The chapter received their first outstanding performance rating in 2019 and again in 2024.
SMACS is UCLA’s undergraduate chapter of the American Chemical Society, dedicated to connecting students in the life and physical sciences, particularly chemistry and biochemistry majors. The chapter holds weekly meetings on Wednesdays from 6–7 p.m. in Boyer 130, featuring professional development, green chemistry, and service activities. To learn more, visit the SMACS website or follow @smacsbruins on Instagram.
Many thanks to Amaar Siddiqui, SMACS Co-President, for providing details and photos!
Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
