UMD Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Happy Earth Day!! From studying artificial photosynthetic systems for solar energy conversion and detecting microplastics in natural systems, to researching new plant-based medicines and helping create crops that can survive with less water, the UMD Chemistry & Biochemistry Department is taking steps to improve the ways we foster ecological balance and embrace sustainable living. Any donation, large or small, will help our students conduct critical environmental research! Donate here: http://z.umn.edu/Chem26

Invest in the lab of tomorrow! Help us raise $5,000 for lab instrumentation and equipment by donating here: http://z.umn.edu/Chem26

Donate Here! http://z.umn.edu/Chem26

Early giving is officially open! Help us get a head start and join the pack early! Donate here: z.umn.edu/chem26

This UMD award, which rotates among the four UMD colleges, recognizes contributions to the teaching mission of extraordinary quality. Unlike standard teaching awards, the Blehart Award honors faculty whose educational leadership and innovation have created an impact that extends well beyond their own classroom. Join us in congratulating Brian on this well-deserved achievement!

👏 Celebrating excellence in research and scholarship!
Dr. Luke Busta has been recognized with the 2026 McKnight Presidential Fellowship. This three-year award is given to the most promising individuals who have been granted both tenure and promotion to associate professor in an academic year. 🎉 Dr. Busta is fascinated by the unique chemistries that plants use to survive harsh environments. His research uses informatics and large language models to unite classical analytical chemistry with high-throughput DNA sequencing. Through this combination, his lab aims to understand the molecular structures and biosynthesis of plant chemicals and polymers. His goal is to use this approach to develop and apply new knowledge about chemical biology to improving human life while protecting the planet.
Join us in congratulating Dr. Busta on this well-deserved achievement!

https://scholarswalk.umn.edu/university-awards/mcknight-presidential-fellows/lucas-busta