Nanotechnology pioneer Professor Chad A. Mirkin (Northwestern University) visited UCLA on Oct. 12 to deliver the Fall 2026 Chemistry & Biochemistry Distinguished Lecture.
Mirkin is the George B. Rathmann Professor of Chemistry and a professor of medicine, materials science and engineering, biomedical engineering, and chemical and biological engineering at Northwestern University, where he also founded and directs the International Institute for Nanotechnology. He is internationally recognized for pioneering research in nanotechnology, including the development of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), which have applications in disease detection, gene regulation and therapeutics, and for inventing dip-pen nanolithography, a technique for patterning materials at the nanoscale. The American Chemical Society recently selected Mirkin to receive its 2027 Priestley Medal, its highest honor.
Mirkin’s visit brought together former adviser and student: Department Chair Professor Alex Spokoyny earned his Ph.D. at Northwestern University in 2011 doing his thesis research with Mirkin.
The standing room only lecture, attended by students, postdoctoral researchers, staff and faculty members, was held in the Dongwon Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall in the Mani L. Bhaumik Collaboratory in Young Hall. Professor Paul S. Weiss introduced Mirkin and, after the lecture, presented Mirkin with a crystal award on behalf of the department. A reception followed in the Collaboratory study area.
Titled “Repurposing the Blueprint for Life through Spherical Nucleic Acids and Colloidal Crystal Engineering with DNA,” the lecture explored Mirkin’s research on spherical nucleic acids and DNA-directed materials assembly.
The standing-room-only lecture, attended by students, postdoctoral researchers, staff, and faculty members, was held in the Dongwon Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall in the Mani L. Bhaumik Collaboratory in Young Hall. Following the lecture, Professor Paul S. Weiss presented Mirkin with a crystal award. A reception followed in the Collaboratory study area.
Titled “Repurposing the Blueprint for Life through Spherical Nucleic Acids and Colloidal Crystal Engineering with DNA,” the lecture explored Mirkin’s research on spherical nucleic acids and DNA-directed materials assembly.
Select photos from the event can be viewed below, and the full photo gallery is available here.
Photos by Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
