News

2016-04-01 - Jeffrey Moore, the Murchison-Mallory Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science and engineering, has been named interim director of the Beckman Institute , effective April 16.

2016-04-01 - Thirty-six University of Illinois students have won National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships including 11 students from the Department of Chemistry. Thirteen of the additional 51 accorded honorable mention are Chemistry students. “Thirty-six awardees places us tenth nationally among all institutions of higher education, and fourth among public universities,” says Ken...

2016-02-28 - Kami Hull and Josh Vura-Weis have both been selected to receive Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Awards and grants from the National Science Foundation to support their research program.

2016-02-17 - Members of the laboratory of Prof. Scott Silverman have identified synthetic DNA enzymes that cleave amide bonds, which are fundamental components of proteins. These DNA enzymes were identified by in vitro selection, using modified DNA nucleotides that have protein-like functional groups. The finding opens the door to synthetic DNA enzymes as novel proteases, with applications in fields such as...

2016-02-01 - Douglas Mitchell is the recipient of the 2016 National Fresenius Award. He was cited for his contributions toward the mechanistic understanding and reengineering of natural product biosynthesis. The award is given to a chemist, biochemist or chemical engineer under 35 years of age for...

2016-01-31 - A new class of small, thin electronic sensors can monitor temperature and pressure within the skull – crucial health parameters after a brain injury or surgery – then melt away when they are no longer needed, eliminating the need for additional surgery to remove the monitors and reducing the risk of infection and hemorrhage.

2016-01-31 - I am sad to relate that Professor of Chemistry Douglas Einar Applequist, 85, died at his home in Champaign, Illinois, on Saturday, January 30, 2016.

2015-12-31 - The multi-institutional Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology received word that it will receive nearly $20 million in renewable support over the next five years from the National Science Foundation to study nanoparticles in emerging technologies and their effects on the environment.

2015-12-31 - Seven University of Illinois researchers have been named to the Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researchers list for 2015. The list includes “some of the world’s most influential scientific minds,” according to a statement from Thomson Reuters. “About 3,000 researchers earned this distinction … ranking among the top 1 percent most cited for their subject field...

2015-12-01 - Professor McCall is being honored for his research in the development of ultrasensitive, ultrahigh resolution molecular ion spectroscopy methods that when combined with astronomical spectroscopy observations help elucidate chemical and physical conditions in interstellar clouds.

2015-12-01 - University of Illinois chemists found that a number of drugs approved to treat various conditions also have antibiotic properties.

2015-12-01 - The 2015 Larine Y. Cowan Make a Difference Award for Leadership in Diversity was given to Professor Steven Zimmerman. This honor was in recognition of his leadership in being an outstanding advocate in advancing diversity at Illinois. As head of the Department of Chemistry, achieving diversity within the department was at the top of his list of to do...

2015-11-30 - Graduate students Long Luu and Lien Nguyen, with U. of I. chemistry professor Steven Zimmerman, developed drug compounds that target three pathways associated with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

2015-11-01 - This award is presented to people who have demonstrated profound confidence in and support of the college’s diverse mission, and who have personified throughout their lives and careers the unique benefits and responsibilities that define a liberal arts and sciences education. The award also recognizes individuals who have maintained a lifelong personal bond with the College.

2015-11-01 - The American Association for the Advancement of Science is honoring 347 new fellows this year for their "scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications".