Department News

Department News

Headshot of David Blank
Faculty Honors/Awards

Professor David Blank appointed Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs

Posted

The University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering Dean Andrew Alleyne named Professor David Blank Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs. 

Group of people standing on steps for Chemistry GSRS 2023
Student Honors/Awards

Fourteen students recognized at 22nd annual GSRS

Posted

Each year, the GSRS gives UMN Chemistry graduate students the opportunity to present a research highlight to their peers, mentors, and a panel of judges.

Two teachers work with a test tube in a lab.
Outreach, Teaching & Learning

UMN hosts Green & Sustainable Chemistry Workshop for High School Teachers

Posted

The department hosted 16 high school teachers for a three-day Green and Sustainable Chemistry workshop. Now in its sixth year, the workshop has now served more than 100 high school instructors.

Prof. Siepmann standing with an award certificate next to two other individuals.
Faculty Honors/Awards

Distinguished McKnight University Professor Ilja Siepmann honored with John M. Prausnitz Award

Posted

Distinguished McKnight University Professor Ilja Siepmann recently received the 2023 John M. Prausnitz Award.

Professor Jessica Lamb holds up a drone.
News, Outreach

Energy and U eclipses 100,000 student milestone

Posted

It’s official: more than 100,000 students in the Twin Cities metro area have engaged with chemistry through the biannual Energy and U program. With the completion of the May 2023 series, the interactive show – which teaches third, fourth, and fifth graders about the First Law of Thermodynamics – surpassed this major education milestone.

Headshot photograph of Safia Jilani
News, Postdoctoral Associates Honors & Awards

Safia Jilani awarded Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship

Posted

Dr. Safia Jilani, a postdoctoral associate in Professor Christy Haynes’ lab, has been awarded the prestigious Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. The fellowship – which provides support for scholars and future professors to use inclusion and diversity to improve the student experience in higher education – will support Safia and her research for one year.

Photograph of the Sustainable and Green Chemistry Committee on the front steps of Smith Hall
News, Student Honors/Awards

SGC graduate students awarded UMN Systemwide Sustainability Collaborative Team Impact Award

Posted

The graduate students of the Sustainable and Green Chemistry (SGC) Committee have been awarded the 2023 University of Minnesota Systemwide Sustainability Collaborative Team Impact Award. The award recognizes student collaborations from all campuses who have made significant contributions to UMN and local communities in helping create a more sustainable and just future.

Headshots of four chemistry graduate students: Beza Tuga, Erin Plasek, Rachel Rapagnani, and Shelby Auger.
Staff Honors & Awards

Four Chemistry graduate students awarded Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships

Posted

Four Chemistry graduate students have been awarded 2023-24 Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships (DDF). The awardees are Beza Tuga, Erin Plasek, Rachel Rapagnani, and Shelby Auger.

2023 Goldwater Scholarship gold text on maroon background
Student Honors/Awards

Undergraduate junior Ethan Ashbrook named a 2023 Goldwater Scholar

Posted

Chemistry undergraduate student Ethan Ashbrook has been named a 2023 Goldwater Scholar. Ethan is a junior in the University of Minnesota Chemistry BS program working with Professor Ian Tonks. 

Headshot of Rene Boiteau
Faculty Profiles, News

Rene Boiteau joins Department of Chemistry faculty

Posted

The Department of Chemistry will welcome Rene Boiteau as an Assistant Professor in fall 2023. Boiteau has been a faculty member at Oregon State University since 2018, with a joint appointment in the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Environmental Molecular Sciences Division.