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Chemistry News

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Nature article features Luthey-Schulten's living cell simulation project
 A Nature article about ‘virtual cells’ that turn raw data into predictive models of biology features the work of several research teams, including the living cell simulation project led by Zaida Luthey-Schulten, Murchison-Mallory Endowed Chair in Chemistry....
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Researchers develop new strategy for creating recyclable, high-performance polymers
 Many essential structural materials used in applications including electronics, civil infrastructure and aerospace must be especially strong and durable, but the same chemical properties that give these materials their ideal traits make them difficult to recycle. Wind turbine blades, for...
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Alumna Stephanie Potisek Lee returns to campus as 2026 Sylvia Stoesser Lecturer
 Drawing on over 15 years of industrial research and development experience at Dow, alumna Stephanie Potisek Lee (Ph.D., ’08) gave Illinois Chemistry graduate students an inside look at how research in industry translates into the development of new products....
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Professor Xiaotang Lu selected as a 2026 Beckman Young Investigator
 Xiaotang Lu, assistant professor of chemistry, is among 12 researchers selected as Beckman Young Investigators by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation.The 2026 class of awardees was announced June 9, 2026, and selected...
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Graduate student Gavin Hazen mixing it up
 Generally, water and electricity don’t mix well. But microdroplets of water – like 1/25,000th of an inch – have a surprisingly large degree of reactivity that makes them attractive for chemistry and electricity.“They can accelerate reactions to like significant degrees. But essentially, one...
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Chemistry May 2026 Convocation

Watch a recording of the May 17, 2026, Chemistry Convocation, celebrating graduates from the Department of Chemistry.

Convocation Recording  May 2026 Chemistry Graduates

Research Areas in Chemistry

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Analytical Chemistry

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Chemical Biology

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Inorganic Chemistry

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Materials Chemistry

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Organic Chemistry

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Physical Chemistry
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Chemistry at Illinois: #9 in the nation

The graduate program in Chemistry at Illinois is one of the top programs in the nation and specialty areas are ranked in the Top 10 as well — U.S. News and World Report rankings. Learn how you can pursue an advanced degree in this nationally ranked program and experience the thrill of working on some of the most challenging problems in the chemical sciences.

#4 Analytical / #7 Inorganic / #8 Organic / #9 Physical / #9 Theoretical

 

 

 
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Nobel laureate and alumnus Omar M. Yaghi (PhD, '90)

"Believe in the power of the experiment"

The 12th person from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to win the Nobel Prize, alumnus Omar M. Yaghi (PhD, '90) said it was as a graduate student at Illinois that he learned from his PhD advisor Walter Klemperer how to do rigorous science and become a scientist that can break new ground, not somebody who follows other people’s discoveries. 
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Chemistry courses offer study abroad opportunities

Explore these two courses in the Department of Chemistry that offer short-term study abroad opportunities that will enrich what you learn in the classroom by applying your knowledge to real-world experiences while exploring another part of the world. 
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Chemistry Learning Center

The Chemistry Learning Center (CLC) is an opportunity for all undergraduates enrolled in general chemistry to receive help with homework, meet with teaching assistants and connect with other students taking the same courses. 

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