Chemistry Student Groups

The Chemical Biology Interface Training Grant allows first-rate students to grow into accomplished professionals both in their primary area of interest (e.g., synthetic/mechanistic organic and inorganic chemistry, molecular biology, mechanistic enzymology, medicinal chemistry) and in a complementary field by cross-discipline research interactions and experiences. Pre-doctoral trainees for this training grant program are selected from a pool of graduate students who have been recruited by the Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics (BMBB), and Medicinal Chemistry departments. 

The Community of Chemistry Graduate Students (CCGS) at the University of Minnesota consists of graduate students working together to support each other.

The Graduate Student Workshop Committee (GSWC) is a student-run organization within the Department of Chemistry at the University of Minnesota. In collaboration with the Office of the Director of Graduate Studies, the GSWC creates high-quality programs of relevance to the department’s graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, with special emphasis on career preparation and professional development.

The Joint Safety Team (JST) is a researcher-led organization focused on improving the culture of safety in chemical laboratories at the University of Minnesota. The JST consists of all graduate student or postdoc Laboratory Safety Officers (LSOs) within the Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Materials Science.

The Mentorship Program for Aspiring Chemistry Teachers (MPACT pronounced "empact") is designed to provide additional teaching experience and guidance for graduate students and post-doctorates who are interested in an academic career at the college or university level. This is a volunteer activity for both the mentor and mentee.

Queer Science

Queer Science is an entirely volunteer-run organization dedicated to STEM outreach for trans and queer young people. The group's "volunqueer" STEM-ists include graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty members, and staff at the University of Minnesota as well as professional scientists, community members, and partner organizations.

POLY/PMSE is a student-run organization, affiliated with the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry (POLY) and the Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering (PMSE). The group facilitates seminars related to the field of polymers, organizes social events for our community and members, and hosts career development and networking opportunities

Graduate students involved with Science for All aim to improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in the urban Twin Cities community by performing intricate science experiments with middle school students. If interested in volunteering, you can find more information and reach out via the Science for All Contact Us webpage. 

SciMentors is a student-led outreach group within the Department of Chemistry. It provides hands-on science experiments to general educational development (GED) students enrolled in the Open Door Learning Center GED classes in Minneapolis.

The Chemistry Social Justice Lecture Series is a team of graduate students working together to engage the department in discussion of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion issues to promote a culture of respect, awareness, and acceptance. Email: [email protected].

Student Chapter of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)

The goals of the NOBCChE Student Chapter include: to further the application of chemistry, chemical engineering, and related fields to industry, and science; to promote basic research in chemistry, chemical engineering, and related fields leading to new methods and techniques useful to industry and science; to provide media for the exchange of information and ideas between chemists/chemical engineers and other technical and scientific personnel; to provide support and mentorship to undergraduates, graduates, and post-doctoral fellows; to promote networking and interpersonal connections of Black chemists and chemical engineers within the University of Minnesota campus and beyond; to provide professional and technical development opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and early career researchers in the Twin Cities area by hosting seminars, industry site visits, and conferences; to plan and organize local community outreach events in collaboration with organizations like the Science Museum of Minnesota, UMN Chemistry student groups, and other STEM-focused student groups. For example, events focused on celebrating #BlackInChem Week, Mole Day, and Black History Month. 

The Student Seminar Series Committee is empowered to nominate and choose speakers for seminars conducted throughout the year as part of the Department of Chemistry's seminar series program. The speakers, renowned scientists at the tops of their fields, spend most of their time at Minnesota with students, which gives the students opportunities to network and discuss science and innovation with experts. If interested in helping with this committee, contact Rachel Rapagnani ([email protected]) and Michael Harris ([email protected]).

The Chemistry Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) team provides a networking resource for women graduate students and post-docs in the department, with the goal of increasing the recruitment and retention of women, and improving the climate for all chemists.