UCLA

Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Clemence Corminbouef
2022-09-22 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Prof Corminbouef Flyer
Title: NaviCat: Computational Tools to Navigate Molecular Catalyst Landscape
Abstract: Over the last few years, we have worked on an assortment of computational and digital tools aimed at accelerating the through exploration and optimization of homogeneous catalyst landscapes. These interoperable tools are assembled into the NaviCat (Navigating Catalysis) platform, which includes: volcanic, an automated generator of volcano plots and activity/
selectivity maps; NaviCatGA, a genetic algorithm-based catalyst optimizer; and additional pipelines that generate structures, create catalyst libraries as well as statistical models and representations specifically developed to accelerate the exploration process.
The complementary nature of these tools will be demonstrated through optimizing the catalytic activity and selectivity of both prototypical classes of reactions and challenging organic processes. Overall, the NaviCat platform aims to expand upon original data-driven tools and broaden their application in the field of computational homogeneous catalysis.

Jeffrey I. Zink Inorganic Chemistry Seminar 278: Neil Tomson
2022-09-21 16:00 - 17:15 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Flyer: Prof. Neil Tomson
Title: Ligand Flexibility in Surface-Inspired Cluster Chemistry
Abstract: Metallic surfaces perform many chemical transformations that hold promise for the future energy economy, including dinitrogen reduction, ammonia oxidation, and alkane synthesis, but surfaces are difficult to tune, limiting chemists’ ability to improve their efficiencies. Molecular cluster complexes inspired by surface chemistry have been studied for decades to capitalize on the advantages of metallic surfaces while avoiding the scaling relationships that govern their activities. Progress in this area has been hampered, however, by the lack of ligand architectures able to provide an appropriate degree of geometric and electronic flexibility to the cluster core.
This talk will describe our use of macrocyclic, multi-nucleating ligands that have been designed to bind small metal clusters (2-4 metal atoms) in a way that mimics M–M bonding. Doing so allows for both facile electron redistribution within the cluster-ligand assembly and a high density of thermally accessible electronic states. These ligands have the added advantage of providing the geometric flexibility needed for stabilizing a range of surface-relevant species. Examples include diiron dinitrogen complexes that exist in a geometry reminiscent of the side-on binding of dinitrogen to the Mittasch catalyst, a diiron-supported sp-hybridized bridging nitride that converts into an sp3-hybridized bridging amide following hydrogen atom transfer, and the first (putative) dicobalt bridging nitride – a highly reactive species that mimics aspects of surface nitrides that develop during ammonia oxidation in the Ostwald Process. Particular attention will be paid to the electronic structures of an electrophilic diiron bridging nitrides, which appears to exhibit a sub-valent oxidation state.

Physical Chemistry Seminar 228: Jennifer Dionne
2022-09-19 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Title: Lighting Up the Oceans: Emerging Nanophotonic Platforms for Real-time Ocean Observation

Abstract: The oceans are the largest biological habitat in the known universe and are among the least charted. Covering over two and a half times the area of Mars, the oceans host diverse microorganisms that cycle nearly all chemical elements and are responsible for half of the global photosynthetic activity. Yet, studying the marine microbiome remains an outstanding challenge. Very few marine microbes have been successfully cultured under laboratory conditions, and culture-free methods like genomics and mass spectrometry are incompatible with the real time measurements necessary to study how physicochemical drivers impact microbial nutrient cycling. Here, we present our efforts to simultaneously and rapidly measure multiple ‘omic’ signatures from the ocean. First, we combine Raman spectroscopy and deep learning to accurately classify bacteria by both species and antibiotic resistance in a single step. With a convolutional neural network (CNN), we achieve species identification and antibiotic susceptibility accuracies similar to leading mass spectrometry techniques. Next, we describe resonant nanophotonic surfaces that enable detection of genes, proteins, and metabolites with femtomolar sensitivity. These metasurfaces produce a large amplification of the electromagnetic field intensity, increasing the response to minute refractive index changes from target binding; simultaneously, the light is beam-steered to particular detector pixels. By combining metasurface design with acoustic bioprinting for functionalization, we produce develop chips that detect gene fragments, proteins, and small molecule toxins on the same platform. We discuss integration of these sensors with autonomous underwater robots from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) for real-time phytoplankton and phycotoxin detection.

The 2022 M. Frederick Hawthorne Symposium
2022-09-16 13:00 - 19:00
Dear Alumni, Collaborators, Colleagues, and Friends: On behalf of the organizing committee, is it our pleasure to invite you to the M. Frederick Hawthorne Symposium that will bring together alumni, current students and collaborators at UCLA on Friday, September 16th, 2022. The Hawthorne Symposium aims to honor the career and research of those who have made significant contributions to chemistry involving the elements of groups 1, 2, and 13-18 in the periodic table in keeping with the example provided by the late Professor M. Frederick Hawthorne (August 24, 1928 – July 8, 2021), whose work in boron chemistry and time as a UCLA professor have largely shaped the field and touched the lives of countless students, faculty, researchers, and staff.
We will be honoring two keynote speakers and recipients of the M. Frederick Hawthorne Award in Main Group Inorganic Chemistry award, Philip Power and Karl O. Christe, as well as four symposium speakers — Ohyun Kwon, William J. Evans, R. Tom Baker, and Alexandra Velian. There will be ample opportunities for alumni, collaborators and newcomers to interact across disciplines. In addition to speaker presentations, a reception will be served during and after the symposium. We hope to count on your participation to contribute to this meeting.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP at: https://forms.gle/9AUuqaBoy9ry6dbz8. For more information, please contact Stephanie Lo (stephanie.lo@chem.ucla.edu).

Staff Meeting
2022-09-09 12:00 - 13:00
Greetings Staff!
Join the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry on September 9th from 12-1pm for an All Staff Meeting. The meeting will include a lecture by Professor Bill Gelbart “Viruses, Vaccines, and Your Immune System” followed by staffing updates, major departmental initiatives, and training opportunities presented by Amy Ragsdale. The meeting will also include break out sessions with fellow staff members to team team build and get to know one another.
The meeting will be hybrid format with an in-person viewing group in Young Hall 2050 and the rest of the meeting taking place over zoom. Boxed lunches will be provided for who RSVP’d by 8/31. Once you retrieve your meal from Young Hall 2050, it is encouraged that you attend the meeting in your office via Zoom.
Thank you and please email Isaiahgtz@chem.ucla.edu for questions.

New Faculty Welcome Reception
2022-09-08 15:00 - 16:00 | Boyer 159, 611 Charles E Young Dr E, Los Angeles, CA 90095, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Dear Faculty and Staff,
We will hold a casual welcome event for our newest faculty members, Professors Prineha Narang, Matthew Nava, and Danielle Schmitt!
The event will be held on Thursday, September 8th, 3-4pm on the Boyer Hall 159 Patio.

Please be sure to save the date and RSVP here. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Hope to see you there!

gBSA 2022 Summer Seminar Series - Fran Zone
2022-08-26 15:30 - 17:00

Professional Clubs Mixer!
2022-08-19 15:30 - 17:00
Come join us for food, drinks, and to learn how to get involved in the UCLA Sciences community! This event is in-person only and will be hosted in Boyer 159 at 3:30pm this Friday, we hope to see you there!
gBSA’s 1st Annual Biosciences Club Mixer

2022 Seaborg Symposium & Medal Award Dinner
2022-08-17 13:00 - 21:00
For the event rsvp and details, please visit www.seaborg.ucla.edu/. Registration is required for the event.

Houk Research Conference
2022-08-11 10:00
Dear Alumni, Collaborators, Colleagues, and Friends:
On behalf of the organizing committee is it our pleasure to invite you to the Houk Research Conference (HRC) that will bring together alumni, current students and collaborators for a two-day meeting at UCLA on August 11-12th, 2022.
The HRC aims to honor the career, tradition and experience of computational chemistry research at UCLA with Ken Houk. There will be ample opportunities for alumni, collaborators and newcomers to interact across disciplines. In addition to poster and oral presentations, breakout sessions and elevator talks will serve to strengthen ties between industrial, academic, and government researchers and re-connect them on the UCLA campus.
We hope to count on your participation to contribute to this meeting. Please visit the following website for additional information.
http://www.houkconference.com
Best regards,
The Organizing Committee

Chemistry and Biochemistry Departmental Graduation Ceremony
2022-06-11 16:00
More details will be provided during April 2022.

The 2022 CMC Materials Lecture
2022-06-08 16:00
TBA

Chem 268 (Midstream Presentation) - Yueying (Qiao-Qiao) Wang and Evan Takayoshi
2022-06-03 15:30

Chem 278: Prof. Tatiana Bronich
2022-06-01 16:00

Chem 268 (Midstream Presentation) - Carlos Gonzalez Figueroa and Michael Guile
2022-05-27 15:30

Chem 263/Chemical Biology Seminar_TBD
2022-05-26 16:00

TBA
2022-05-26 16:00

The 2022 Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers Lecture
2022-05-25 16:00
The Faults in our Nanostars

Chem 228: Prof. Mark Chen
2022-05-23 16:00

Chem 268 (Midstream Presentation) - Christoffer Caro and Gabriela Sanchez
2022-05-20 15:30

Organization for Cultural Diversity in Science Seminar/ Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium
2022-05-19 16:00
“A Click Chemistry Approach to N-Heterocycles”

Special Joint Seminar with BioPACIFIC MIP-Prof. Kristi Anseth
2022-05-19 13:00

Chem 278: Prof. Shiyu Zhang
2022-05-18 16:00

Chem 228: Prof. Birgitta Whaley
2022-05-16 16:00

Departmental Awards Ceremony
2022-05-13 15:00

Organic Colloquium - Prof. James Morken
2022-05-12 16:00
Catalytic Stereoselective Synthesis with Organoboron Reagents

Chem 278: TBA
2022-05-11 16:00

Organic Colloquium - Prof. Josep Cornella
2022-05-10 16:00
Bismuth Redox Catalysis

Chem 263 Student Exit Seminar- Eun Bin Go
2022-05-10 16:00

Prof. Roger Kornberg
2022-05-09 16:00
