Theoretical chemist Professor Anastassia Alexandrova is the recipient of the 2023 Brown Investigator Award, in recognition of her curiosity-driven basic research in chemistry and physics. One of seven mid-career researchers selected, Alexandrova will use the $2 million award to develop the fundamental theory describing surface chemistry of topological materials and explore their utility as catalysts. […]

Dean of Physical Sciences Professor Miguel A. García-Garibay  has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership in the academy is one of the highest honors a scientist in the United States can receive. Previous electees have included Albert Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer, Thomas […]

The department welcomes innovative RNA biochemist and biophysicist Dr. Michael Lawson, who will join the UCLA faculty as an Assistant Professor of biochemistry on July 1, 2023. A leader in the investigation of RNA regulatory mechanisms in translation linked to human disease, Lawson’s background in single-molecule biophysics, RNA biochemistry, and structural biology will allow him […]

Professor Prineha Narang and collaborator Sergio Carbajo, a UCLA assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and of physics and astronomy, are working together to understand the incredibly fast interactions between particles that take place at infinitesimally tiny scales. From UCLA Newsroom (by Wayne Lewis): Pri Narang and Sergio Carbajo look to advance quantum science […]

Noble laureate and nanotechnology pioneer Professor Ben L. Feringa (University of Groningen) visited UCLA on April 13, 2023, to give the Spring 2023 Distinguished Lecture. Feringa was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, together with Sir J. Fraser Stoddart and Jean-Pierre Sauvage, “for the design and synthesis of molecular machines”. Over 200 faculty, students, […]

Chemistry & Biochemistry undergraduate students Tim Duong (Neuhauser group) and Daniel Torres Pomares (Spokoyny group) have been accepted into the prestigious UC LEADS program. The University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) program is one of the most prestigious fellowships awarded by the University of California system. Each year this honor is […]

Professor Prineha Narang receives the 2023 Agnes Fay Morgan Research Award from Iota Sigma Pi, the National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry. The award is given for research achievement to a woman chemist or biochemist not over forty years of age. According to Iota Sigma PI, Narang was selected for the award in recognition […]

The department welcomes innovative organic chemist Dr. Soumitra Athavale, who will join the UCLA faculty as an Assistant Professor on July 1, 2023. At UCLA, Athavale and his group will develop new synthetic methods, biocatalysts and therapeutics, as well as answer fundamental questions in protein structure and (bio)molecular evolution.   His discoveries will have wide reaching […]