UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry hosts State of the Department Address and Ice Cream Social
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On Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, faculty, students, researchers, and staff gathered in lecture hall CS50 for the department’s State of the Department address, delivered by Professor Alexander Spokoyny. The address was followed by the department’s third annual Ice Cream Social in the Court of Sciences outside the Life Sciences building.
During his address, Spokoyny highlighted recent developments and accomplishments across the UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry community.
More than 400 people attended the Ice Cream Social where, for the third year, the Paradise Fine Cookies and Ice Cream Truck served a wide variety of treats, including vegan options, ice cream floats, and freshly baked cookies. The delicious desserts and great company made it a perfect day for everyone who attended. Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun!
The event also provided a wonderful opportunity to welcome our incoming Ph.D. students and recognize the contributions of our summer undergraduate researchers. Many faculty members and their research groups attended the event and took a refreshing break from the lab to enjoy what is quickly becoming a new department tradition.
A photo gallery from the event can be viewed here, and select photos can be viewed below.
Professor Ken Houk enjoys an ice cream treat at the department’s third annual Ice Cream Social.
Divisional Assistants Isabella Luo, Rebecca Letts, Kelsea Valerio, and Brandon Lindo welcome attendees and distribute tickets for ice cream.
Staff members Maria Dimaano-Salanga and Ricky Ruiz stop by the ice cream truck to check out the treats.
Professors Margot Quinlan, Anastassia Alexandrova, and Sarah Tolbert catch up while waiting for ice cream.
First-year graduate student Isabela Nangca (Tinoco group), graduate student Christina Park (Caram group), and Professor Abby Kavner.
Graduate students Mason Dudley (Lindert group) and Andrew Fisher (Zhang group) enjoy their ice cream.
Graduate students from the Lawson, Gelbart, Loo, and Schmitt groups – Chris George, Vanessa Wiratmo, Alex Meckes, Adrian McFarland, Jake Cozy, Mickey Thaxton, Aubrey Emmi, Alyssa Cruz, Alexia Andrikopoulos, and Natalie Leon.
Dr. Melinda Balbirnie (Eisenberg group), Dr. Saken Sherkhanov (Petrovic group), and Dr. Martin Philips (Biochemistry Instrumentation Facility) connect during the event.
MACS Associate Director Dr. Tremylla Johnson with Professor Joe Loo catch up during the Ice Cream Social.
Conway group members Kate Hofmann and Aidan King, undergraduate researcher Sami Frehner, and graduate student Rehan Chagla enjoy the department gathering.
Graduate students Clifford Leung, Betsy Foker, and Elizabeth Croll of the Kwon group join colleagues for the Ice Cream Social.
Graduate students Arnadeep Datta, Deborshee Das, Macayla Guerrero, and Tapas Maity of the Gutierrez group take part in the festivities.
Special thanks to Kelsea Valerio and Ricky Ruiz for helping identify people in the photos!
hotos by Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
