Upcoming Seminars & Events

Professor Malika Jeffries-EL
Department of Chemistry and Division of Materials Science
Boston University

From the hood to the hood

African Americans make up 13% of the US population but are significantly underrepresented in STEM degrees and faculty positions. This disparity has profound implications for both individuals and the field. Dr. Malika Jeffries-EL’s journey is a testament to overcoming these barriers. Growing up in public housing in Brooklyn and attending public schools, she pursued her passion for science, earned a doctorate in chemistry, secured an academic position, and achieved tenure. Today, she serves as the Senior Associate Dean for the Graduate School in Arts and Sciences at Boston University. Dr. Jeffries- EL is a ardent advocate for diversity and a dedicated volunteer, actively contributing to the American Chemical Society, including her current role on the Board of Directors. In her upcoming talk, she will share her personal experiences, discuss current trends, address pipeline issues, and propose solutions to inspire and empower others to pursue their dreams in STEM.

Malika Jeffries-EL

Malika Jeffries-EL received BA degrees in Chemistry and Africana Studies from Wellesley College, as well as M. Phil and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry from George Washington University.She worked as a post-doctoral researcher under Professor Richard D. McCullough at Carnegie Mellon University. In 2005, she joined the faculty in the Chemistry Department at Iowa State University and was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2012. In 2015, she was a Martin Luther King Jr. Visiting Professor in the Chemistry Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She joined the Department of Chemistry and Division of Materials Science at Boston University in 2016 and was promoted to Professor in 2022. Since July 2020, she has served as the Associate Dean of the Graduate School in Arts and Sciences. 

Dr. Jeffries-EL’s research focuses on developing organic semiconductors–materials that combine the processing properties of polymers with the electronic properties of semiconductors. She has authored over 50 publications and delivered more than 200 lectures both domestically and internationally. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (2023), and the American Chemical Society (ACS) (2018). She has received numerous awards, including the Robert Holland Jr. Award from Research Corporation (2023), the Percy Julian Award from the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) (2021), and the ACS Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences (2015). Currently, she serves as an Associate Editor for the RSC flagship journal Chemical Science. Professor EL is also a strong advocate for diversity and a dedicated volunteer involved in various initiatives within the American Chemical Society. Additionally, she is a science communicator who aims to inspire students from underrepresented groups to pursue STEM degrees and recently appeared in the NOVA series Beyond the Elements. She contributes to the community through her work with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Dr. Jeffries-EL is a native of Brooklyn, New York.

Hosted by Professor Timothy Lodge

Learn more about the Jeannette Brown Lectureship

The 2025 Jeannette Brown Lectureship is generously supported by the Sherwin-Williams Company.

Professor Malika Jeffries-EL
Department of Chemistry and Division of Materials Science
Boston University

Design and synthesis of organic electronic materials

The past two decades have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of consumer electronics in use. Previously, most households had a landline phone, one or two televisions, and the occasional desktop computer. These days, most people own numerous electronic devices, leading to a heightened demand for the semiconducting materials that drive this technology and the energy needed to power them. Consequently, there has been considerable interest in developing organic semiconductors, as many inorganic materials used in these devices are in limited supply. Organic semiconductors consist of either polymers or small molecules with extended pi-conjugation. These materials possess a range of exceptional electronic, optical, and thermal properties, making them well-suited for applications such as transistors, solar cells, and light- emitting diodes. However, several challenges must be addressed before practical products can be developed. Our group focuses on the design and synthesis of new organic semiconductors based on low-cost and/ or easily prepared starting materials. Because the properties of organic semiconductors can be readily modified through chemical synthesis, we have shifted our focus towards the design and synthesis of novel aromatic building blocks. We have developed several new materials, including wide- band gap materials for use in organic light-emitting diodes and narrow- band gap materials for use in photovoltaic cells. Our recent work on these topics will be presented.

Malika Jeffries-EL

Malika Jeffries-EL received BA degrees in Chemistry and Africana Studies from Wellesley College, as well as M. Phil and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry from George Washington University.She worked as a post-doctoral researcher under Professor Richard D. McCullough at Carnegie Mellon University. In 2005, she joined the faculty in the Chemistry Department at Iowa State University and was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2012. In 2015, she was a Martin Luther King Jr. Visiting Professor in the Chemistry Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She joined the Department of Chemistry and Division of Materials Science at Boston University in 2016 and was promoted to Professor in 2022. Since July 2020, she has served as the Associate Dean of the Graduate School in Arts and Sciences. 

Dr. Jeffries-EL’s research focuses on developing organic semiconductors–materials that combine the processing properties of polymers with the electronic properties of semiconductors. She has authored over 50 publications and delivered more than 200 lectures both domestically and internationally. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (2023), and the American Chemical Society (ACS) (2018). She has received numerous awards, including the Robert Holland Jr. Award from Research Corporation (2023), the Percy Julian Award from the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) (2021), and the ACS Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences (2015). Currently, she serves as an Associate Editor for the RSC flagship journal Chemical Science. Professor EL is also a strong advocate for diversity and a dedicated volunteer involved in various initiatives within the American Chemical Society. Additionally, she is a science communicator who aims to inspire students from underrepresented groups to pursue STEM degrees and recently appeared in the NOVA series Beyond the Elements. She contributes to the community through her work with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Dr. Jeffries-EL is a native of Brooklyn, New York.

Hosted by Professor Timothy Lodge

Learn more about the Jeannette Brown Lectureship

The 2025 Jeannette Brown Lectureship is generously supported by the Sherwin-Williams Company.

Professor Renã AS Robinson
Dorothy J. Wingfield Phillips Chair
Department of Chemistry
Vanderbilt University
Printable Abstract

Pushing the Limits of Quantitative Proteomics to Advance Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Large-scale proteomics studies of clinical samples and animal models are readily increasing across disease applications, including in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These studies require diversity in cohorts, accessible sample types, multiple disease timepoints, robust analytical workflows, and high-throughput capabilities in order to have the greatest impact towards disease understanding and discovery efforts. Our laboratory has been working in the last few years to address these requirements primarily to advance health disparities research in Alzheimer’s disease. Bottom-up proteomic workflows leveraging in-house and commercial isotopic and isobaric labeling strategies, sample preparation automation, and high-resolution mass spectrometry have been developed. Importantly, to handle sample sizes (>1000), standard operating procedures and quality control measures have been implemented in our proteomics workflows.

Renã AS Robinson

Dr. Renã A. S. Robinson, Professor of Chemistry at Vanderbilt University and inaugural Dorothy J. Wingfield Phillips Chair, received her B.S. in Chemistry with concentration in Business and Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry. She has a nationally and internationally recognized research program and is a leader in the field of proteomics for her work in aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and applications relevant to human health. Her laboratory is especially focused on advancing proteomics and lipidomics technologies to promote health equity in Alzheimer’s disease. Renã serves as the Immediate Past President of NOBCChE (National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers) where she led the organization through tremendous growth in membership, programming, funding, and overall outreach of URMs in STEM. She is the former faculty advisor for the Nashville Student and Professional Chapter of NOBCChE, and currently Co- Director for the Faculty ACCESS Program, and Board Member-at-Large for the US Human Proteome Organization.

Hosted by Professor Varun Gadkari

Professor Renã AS Robinson
Dorothy J. Wingfield Phillips Chair
Department of Chemistry
Vanderbilt University

Why DEI must not DIE?

As an underrepresented scientist at the intersection of various identities, I can attest that I have accomplished a lot in my career because of intentional efforts from programs, systems, and institutions that have supported me. My decision to become a faculty member in chemistry was rooted in altruism and the specific goal of ensuring marginalized students would have opportunities in my laboratory. Throughout my career this goal has manifested in various ways and in my professional activities has resulted in people, programs, and pathways that have worked towards diversity, equity, and inclusion. Regardless of what these principles are called, the fact remains that everyone deserves a chance to pursue STEM and especially to the highest levels. Should we all let DEI die, then, decades’ worth of effort that has made tangible impact in many people’s lives will be wasted. And importantly, the STEM ecosystem which directly benefits everyone in our nation will be upheaved placing us all in grave danger of not realizing the full benefit that comes with prioritizing DEI in the chemical enterprise. This presentation will give some examples of how I have contributed to DEI in my journey and perspectives on why we cannot let it die.

Renã AS Robinson

Dr. Renã A. S. Robinson, Professor of Chemistry at Vanderbilt University and inaugural Dorothy J. Wingfield Phillips Chair, received her B.S. in Chemistry with concentration in Business and Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry. She has a nationally and internationally recognized research program and is a leader in the field of proteomics for her work in aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and applications relevant to human health. Her laboratory is especially focused on advancing proteomics and lipidomics technologies to promote health equity in Alzheimer’s disease. Renã serves as the Immediate Past President of NOBCChE (National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers) where she led the organization through tremendous growth in membership, programming, funding, and overall outreach of URMs in STEM. She is the former faculty advisor for the Nashville Student and Professional Chapter of NOBCChE, and currently Co- Director for the Faculty ACCESS Program, and Board Member-at-Large for the US Human Proteome Organization.

Hosted by Rowan Matney

Professor Marvin Parasram
Department of Chemistry
New York University

Professor Alexander Spokoyny
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI)
University of California, Los Angeles

Professor Jihye Park
Department of Chemistry
University of Colorado, Boulder

Professor Kelsey Stoerzinger
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science 
University of Minnesota

Professor Trisha Andrew
Department of Chemistry
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Chemical Vapor Deposition of Polymers for Functional Textiles

Chemical vapor deposition is a solvent-free synthesis and processing method for forming polymer films on unconventional substrates and is increasingly important for creating flexible, wearable and/or plant-based electronics using sustainable practices. I will detail the materials science and engineering advances made by my team while creating various electronic garments and functional/technical textiles, and introduce recent efforts in creating textile coatings for energy harvesting, carbon capture and temperature management.

Trisha Andrew

Professor Trisha L. Andrew (she/her/hers) is a Professor of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She directs the Wearable Electronics Lab, a multi-disciplinary research team that uses chemical vapor deposition to create a variety of functional coatings on unconventional substrates, such as textiles, yarns and plants, and demonstrates the uses of these coated samples in energy harvesting/storage and integrated sensing systems.

This workshop was funded by generous support from PPG.