A Tradition of Excellence in Research and Teaching.
With a research pedigree dating to well before the 1944 establishment of the Ph.D. program by Neil E. Gordon, and a teaching mission embracing diversity and modern methodology, the department of Chemistry provides a supportive yet competitive atmosphere for faculty and students alike
The Department congratulates Prof. H. Bernhard Schlegel for being selected as an ACS Fellow for 2011.
After a short absence as the Director of Research at the Institut de Chimie
des Substances Naturelles (ICSN) in Gif sur Yvette, France, David Crich has returned to Wayne State University as the
Department of Chemistry's Schaap Professor of Organic Chemisty. David will continue his research efforts in the area of
synthetic organic chemistry. His group has had a long standing interest in the development of new synthetic methodologies for
the synthesis of biologically validated small molecules and molecules with unique architectures. The main thrust of his
current research lies in the area of stereoselective oligosaccharide synthesis. His seminal contributions to carbohydrate
chemistry include the syntheses of numerous oligosaccharides containing the β-mannoside and β-rhamnoside linkage and the
elucidation of glycosidation mechanisms. Recent contributions from the Crich lab have established a new multicomponent method for the synthesis of peptidyl thioesters. His other areas of study have
included radicals, radical cations, and asymmetric synthesis. David's work has been recently recognized recently by the Emil Fischer award of the European Carbohydrate Society and by an Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award that will be awarded at the ACS national meeting in Denver in August 2011
Watch Prof. Lou Romano commenting for Channel 7 as an expert on how DNA can be used to identify bodies.
Mr. Victor Chukwueke, a senior chemistry student doing research in Prof. Honn's laboratory, has been chosen to speak at the Wayne State University commencement ceremony. His personal success story is one of resilience and perseverance despite life's setbacks. There is no doubt that his speech will inspire other students. Click on the link below to learn more about Victor's story.
ABC 7 Action News
Profesor James Rigby was among those named to The American Chemical Society 2010 class of Fellows, an honor bestowed upon distinguished scientists who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in chemistry and made important contributions to ACS, the world’s largest scientific society. The 2010 Fellows will be recognized on Aug. 23 during the Society’s national meeting in Boston.
“Whether it’s making new materials, finding cures for disease or developing energy alternatives, these Fellows are scientific leaders, improving our lives through the transforming power of chemistry,” said ACS President Joseph S. Francisco, Ph.D. “They are also consummate volunteers who contribute tirelessly to the community and the profession.”
Professor H. Bernhard Schlegel has been named as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2009.
Professor Andres Cisneros (Physical - Theoretical, Computational) and Professor Wen Li (Physical) have joined the department for Fall 2009
Claudio N. Verani has been promoted to Associate Professor with continuing tenure.
Professor Tamara Hendrickson (Biochemistry) and Professor Sarah Trimpin (Analytical) joined the department! Click on their images to get more information.
Congratulations to Prof. Mary Rodgers on being awarded the Board of Governors Distinguished Faculty Fellowship, which recognizes
members of the faculty whose continuing attainments and current activities in scholarship, research, or in the fine and performing arts
are nationally distinguished.
Prof. Mary-Kay Pflum received the 2008 President's Award for Excellence in Teaching, presented to outstanding faculty who, to an
exceptionally high degree, demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of their subject, superior classroom performance, and high educational
standards; communicate their subject matter accurately, clearly, and effectively; generate enthusiasm and respect for learning;
motivate their students to excel; and, who are accessible to students.
Carl R. Johnson, Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and former Chair of the Department received the 2008 Paul G. Gassman Distinguished Service Award from the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry at the ACS national meeting in Philadelphia in August 2008. Prof. Johnson's record of service to organic chemistry has included serving on the executive committee and as chair of the Division, serving as the National Organic Chemistry Symposium Executive Officer, service as an Associate Editor of J. Am. Chem. Soc., chairing three Gordon Research Conferences, and more than 35 years of service as an editor, member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of Organic Syntheses. The Gassman Award has been given biennially since 1994. The late Prof. Norman A. LeBel of our department received the 1996 award. Other prior award winners were Nelson Leonard and Peter Beak of the University of Illinois, Michael Doyle of the University of Maryland, William Roush of the University of Michigan, Clayton Heathcock of the University of California, Berkeley, and Ronald Breslow of Columbia University.
"Ash Stevens, the pharmaceutical company that was the first business to spin off from the Department of Chemistry turns cancer fight into job creator by hiring ex-Pfizer scientists.
The Department of Chemistry would like to recognize and congratulate Dr. Emil Lozanov, recipent of the 2007 Salutes to Excellence Award from the Detroit Local
Section of the American Chemical Society, and Professor David B. Rorabacher who has reached 50 years of service. It is truly a pleasure
to acknowledge these distinguished members of our Department who have contributed so much to the success of the American Chemical
Society.
