Chemistry
The Board of Directors of Optica (formerly OSA), Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, has elected Martin Fischer, research professor of Chemistry and Physics, to the Society’s 2024 Fellow Class. He is being honored “For pioneering contributions to nonlinear optical microscopy and imaging in biomedicine, materials science and cultural heritage.” Fischer, who directs the Advanced Light Imaging and Spectroscopy (ALIS) facility, researches novel laser microscopy methods that provide non-invasive, high-resolution, 3-… read more about Martin Fischer Elected Fellow Member of Optica »
Traditionally, the arts and the sciences at Duke have been viewed as two distinct and unrelated fields of study. But it isn’t uncommon to see students with defined paths in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) choosing to double major or minor in either the performing or visual arts — intentionally adding these disciplines to their course loads because they recognize the benefits the arts can bring to not only individual career goals but also shared human experiences. Majoring in Neuroscience… read more about Future Physician Discovers Intersections Between Media and Science »
Research Triangle Park -- The second annual Triangle Venture Day brought together startup companies and research faculty from all three Triangle Universities and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center to present their ideas for drug discovery and new treatments to investors who came from all over the country on Sept. 12. Four Duke faculty and the leaders of two Duke spinouts were among two dozen presenters asking for $1 million to $25 million in support. More than 50 investors attended the session to see presentations… read more about Duke Companies and Faculty Share Ideas with Investors at Triangle Venture Day »
Warren Warren, James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Physics, Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, and David Beratan, R.J. Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, and Physics, have been recognized with 2024 American Chemical Society National Awards for their outstanding contributions to their fields of research. Beratan’s contributions to the field of Chemical Physics were recognized with the Irving Langmuir Award in Chemical Physics, sponsored by the Journal of Chemical Physics and the ACS Division… read more about Warren and Beratan Recognized by the American Chemical Society National Awards »
The Department of Chemistry invites applications for a tenure-track position at the assistant professor level, to begin July 1, 2024. We seek colleagues with strong commitments to research, teaching, and advancing a diverse and inclusive community of scholars. Applicants in any subarea of chemistry are welcome, especially those with research interests related to the chemistry of life processes, energy, or sustainability. Applications should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, description of research plans, and a… read more about Join Us at Duke! We're Hiring! »
Traditionally, the arts and the sciences at Duke have been viewed as two distinct fields of study that are unrelated to each other. But it isn’t uncommon to see students with defined paths in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) choosing to double major or minor in either the performing or visual arts — intentionally adding these disciplines to their course loads because they recognize the benefits the arts can bring to not only individual career goals but also shared human experiences. Florence… read more about Divergent Thinking by Dint of Dance »
DURHAM, N.C. -- When it comes to the environmental impacts of cars, much ink has been spilled on tailpipe emissions. But there’s another environmental threat from cars you might not think about: microplastic pollution. Car tires are made of rubber but also plastic polymers and other materials. Tiny bits of these materials, most a fraction the size of a grain of sand, slough off whenever tires rub against the road. Some are washed into soils and waterways; others enter the air, where their long-term effects on the health… read more about How to Make Rubbery Materials That Can Take a Beating Without Losing Their Bounce »
R.J. Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Chemistry David Beratan, Associate Research Professor of Chemistry Peng Zhang and a team including four other Duke researchers are the recipients of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s 2023 Faraday Horizon Prize. The Faraday Horizon Prize highlights the most exciting, contemporary chemical science at the cutting edge of research and innovation, awarded to collaborative teams whose research opens up new avenues of research in the field of physical chemistry. In addition to Beratan and… read more about Duke Team Wins International Chemistry Award »
Professor Kevin Welsher has been named as a Bass Fellow! Seven faculty members have been named 2023 Bass Chairs and inducted into the Bass Society of Fellows in recognition of their demonstrated excellence in both undergraduate teaching and research. The chairs were created in 1996 when Anne T. and Robert Bass gave $10 million as a matching gift to encourage Duke alumni, parents and friends to endow the positions. Candidates are nominated by faculty and evaluated by a faculty committee for having achieved “true excellence… read more about Prof. Kevin Welsher Receives Bass Fellowship! »
Dr. Jonathan Schultz is a 2023 Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellow in Chemical Sciences! The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation has announced its 2023 class of Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows in Chemical Sciences, individuals who underscore the Foundation’s mission of supporting basic research in the chemical sciences and chemical instrumentation. Dr. Schultz was selected as one of just 16 recipients after a three-part review led by a panel of scientific experts. Jon's project, “Distinguishing Molecular Electronic… read more about Dr. Jonathan Schultz Receives Beckman Fellowship! »
Five members of the Class of 2024 have been named to the third class of Nakayama Scholars. The Nakayama Public Service Scholarship bolsters the university’s efforts to encourage students to use their Duke experience to engage with significant challenges facing communities around the world. The students represent multiple disciplines across Duke’s academic departments as well as a variety of future careers pursuits. Juniors Nhu Bui, Grace Endrud, Jacob Hervey, Chloe Nguyen and Ronit Sethi were chosen for their strong… read more about Duke Names Third Class of Nakayama Scholars »
Seven faculty members have been named 2023 Bass Chairs and inducted into the Bass Society of Fellows in recognition of their demonstrated excellence in both undergraduate teaching and research. The group was celebrated Monday evening during a reception at the J.B. Duke Hotel. The chairs were created in 1996 when Anne T. and Robert Bass gave $10 million as a matching gift to encourage Duke alumni, parents and friends to endow the positions. Candidates are nominated by faculty and evaluated by a faculty committee for… read more about Three Trinity Faculty Named 2023 Bass Chairs »
The initial round of the Duke Climate Research Innovation Seed Program (CRISP) will fund 12 teams of Duke University scholars to accelerate research on sustainable, equitable solutions to climate change and its effects. The teams have collectively been awarded $643,000 to investigate wide-ranging topics such as lower-cost, higher-efficiency solar cells; subsidies for energy-saving home renovations; the environmental, health and justice impacts of mining critical raw materials; and pastoral care for climate change. During… read more about Twelve Research Teams Launching Projects to Advance Duke Climate Commitment Priorities »
This year’s student commencement speakers will be Trinity senior Kyle-Brandon “KB” Denis and M.D./Ph.D. candidate Dylan Eiger. They will deliver welcome remarks at the university-wide ceremony at 9.a.m. Sunday, May 14, in Wallace Wade Stadium. Denis and Eiger were chosen from among more than 350 nominees. The selection committee reviewed nominations for students who have facilitated a welcoming community for their peers through seen and unseen leadership roles, impacted the greater Durham area through engagement with… read more about Student Speakers Selected for Commencement Ceremony »
How do parasites make natural products? A new study by the Derbyshire lab resolved a polyketide synthase present in Toxoplasma gondii and observed an unexpected self-acylation activity with acyl carrier proteins within this system. Their findings suggest a potential regulatory mechanism and may help identify the metabolite(s) being made by the parasite in future studies. You can read more about their work in a recent ACS Chemical Biology issue, available here. read more about Derbyshire Lab May Help Identify the Metabolite(s) Being Made by Parasites »
Each year, Duke Service-Learning recognizes students, faculty and community partners with the Betsy Alden Outstanding Service-Learning Awards. Betsy Alden was a pioneer in service-learning, beginning her work at Duke during the 1980s. Read more about the legacy of Betsy Alden HERE. Recipients are chosen because they represent an exceptional commitment to the ideals of service‐learning. Each winner receives $150 to further develop his/her community-building and leadership skills. They are also recognized at the Duke In… read more about 2023 Alden Award Winners Represent Exceptional Commitment to Service-Learning »
Amid questions about its methodology and impact, US News and World Report released its annual rankings of graduate and professional programs Tuesday, with many Duke schools and departments scoring high. The schools of law and medicine chose not to participate in the US News survey this year, expressing reservations about the value and validity of the rankings and their influence on education decisions. US News has indefinitely delayed publication of the rankings in those fields. Of the participating schools, the School… read more about Duke Graduate, Professional Programs Score High in US News Rankings »
Alexis Johnson and Avery Vigil have been selected to receive NSF Graduate Research Fellowships! Alexis, a member of the Welsher Lab, will continue her research on applying active control within real-time 3D single particle tracking. Avery, a member of the Moreno-Hernandez Lab, will focus their research interests on utilizing liquid phase electron microscopy to elucidate the nanoscale dynamics of catalyst dissolution to inform the design of next-generation electrocatalysts. Congratulations to each of you on receipt of these… read more about Two Chem Graduate Students Awarded NSF Research Fellowships! »
For most students, Spring Break is when they take a break from academic rigors by taking a quiet (or loud) week away from Duke and its classes. But some students spent their week learning about subjects possibly far outside their normal areas of study. Spring Breakthrough is an annual set of courses offered during Spring Break that aren't graded, instead meant to be learning experiences that students otherwise wouldn't have access to. The 2023 Spring Breakthrough courses included: Motorcycle Revival: Repairing and… read more about Learning New Subjects During Spring Breakthrough 2023 »
Prof. Amanda Hargrove has received the Elisa Izaurralde Award for Innovation in Research, Teaching, and Service! The award, given by the RNA Society, recognizes an RNA scientist who holds an independent research position, completed their PhD 5-15 years ago, and who has demonstrated an innovative mindset or approach in the areas of research, teaching, and/or service. Amanda has been recognized for her innovative research program, highly collaborative approach, and mentoring style. read more about Hargrove Recognized for Innovation in Research, Service and Teaching! »
Professor Michael J. Therien has received the 2023 ACS Florida Section Award! The award is in recognition of his ground-breaking development of supermolecular porphyrinic chromophores, and his creative insights that have enabled synthetic control of the photophysical properties of highly conjugated molecular structures and assemblies. Mike Therien is one of our most creative chemists working on conjugated organic networks, and his work has always involved both leading edge physical studies and elaborate and elegant chemical… read more about Therien Receives 2023 ACS Florida Section Award »
Yuansi Chen, assistant professor of Statistical Science, and Kevin Welsher, associate professor of Chemistry, have been named Sloan Research Fellows for 2023. Awarded annually since 1955, Sloan Research Fellowships are one of the most prestigious awards available to U.S. and Canadian researchers. Yuansi Chen Chen’s research focuses on sampling algorithms – procedures that allow us to draw samples out of a distribution or population. They give us a glimpse into the unknown, whether the unknown is… read more about Two Trinity Faculty Named 2023 Sloan Research Fellows »
Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal calls herself a daughter of Durham, and the native of the West End neighborhood has a record of long service to the community as judge, political leader and community activist to prove it. For that career of seeking to build a strong community, O’Neal received the Distinguished Service Award, one of five members of the Duke and local community celebrated for their activism at the Samuel DuBois Cook Society dinner Monday night at the Washington Duke Inn. The mission of the Cook Society is to… read more about Cook Society Honors Five for Helping to Build Stronger Communities »
