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Chemistry News

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Christopher Cramer (PhD, ’88) is May 2026 Convocation speaker
After 30 years as a chemistry professor at the University of Minnesota, Christopher Cramer was thoroughly enjoying his day-to-day mission as Vice President for Research at Minnesota when a tantalizing opportunity emerged in the private sector. “It was a remarkable opportunity,” said Cramer (Ph...
Portrait of Ted Brown
Remembering Theodore "Ted" Brown, professor emeritus of chemistry and founding director of Beckman Institute
Theodore “Ted” Brown, the founding director of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign,...
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Postdoctoral researcher Jusung An chosen as a CAS Future Leader
Illinois chemistry postdoctoral researcher Jusung An is one of a select group of exceptional Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars from around the world who have been chosen as 2026 CAS Future Leaders.CAS, a division of the American Chemical...
Illustration of a purplish molecule sliced in half
Chemistry images selected finalists in SCS Science Image Challenge
The School of Chemical Sciences has announced the winners and finalists in the 2025 SCS Science Image Challenge. Three images submitted by researchers in the Department of Chemistry were selected as finalists.The three chemistry finalists are Noam Gamburg, an undergraduate student in the lab of...
Illustration of a cell dividing
Team simulates a living cell that grows and divides
 By simulating the life cycle of a minimal bacterial cell — from DNA replication to protein translation to metabolism and cell division — scientists have opened a new frontier of computer vision into the essential processes of life.The researchers, led by...
"Believe in the power of the experiment"

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

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. 

More about Omar Yaghi

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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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

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. 

Coffee, Chemistry, and the Community in Panama Natural Products in Costa Rica

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. 

CLC Information & Resources

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