ECU Department of Chemistry

💜 Student Spotlight: Savannah Perry 💛

Savannah Perry is turning challenges into success at ECU — and Dr. Brian Love played a key role in that journey. With his support in Organic Chemistry II, she gained confidence and now gives back by helping other students succeed.

From the classroom to her work as an EMT, Savannah is a true example of Pirate perseverance and service.

📖 Read more: https://news.ecu.edu/2026/04/20/student-savannah-perry/

Savannah Perry prepares for a future in medicine through service Student Savannah Perry found her way to East Carolina University after realizing she needed a change.

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Adam R. Offenbacher! 🎉

Dr. Offenbacher, of ECU’s Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, has been recognized as a 2026 Treasured Pirate Award recipient in the category of innovative spirit.

His quantum biology course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURES) course has inspired students across majors and is now being replicated at other institutions. Through the development of groundbreaking enzyme analysis tools and a major industry contract with the Toyota Research Institute, Dr. Offenbacher is helping bring ECU science to the national stage.

👏 We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and his continued impact on students and research at ECU!

🔗 Read more:

Faculty, staff honored as Treasured Pirates, state service Treasured Pirates making outstanding contributions to ECU’s mission, and faculty and staff with 30+ years of state service were honored.

We’re thrilled to celebrate BA Chemistry major Greta Bublitz on her acceptance into the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Early Assurance Program! Congratulations on this exciting achievement—we can’t wait to see all that’s ahead for you! 🎉

Congratulations to and Harriot College students Greta Bublitz, Jaylen Queen and Annika Rogov❗
(ECU Department of Biology, ECU Department of Chemistry, ECU Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures)

These bright, pre-health professionals have been accepted to the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Early Assurance Program 🎉

Learn more about the program ➡️ https://unc.live/3PwhZku

🎓🎉 Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎉🎓

This past Friday, May 8, 2026, we proudly celebrated our graduates at our departmental ceremony—and what an unforgettable day it was! From crossing the stage to tossing caps in the air, our students officially joined the ECU alumni family, and we couldn’t be prouder. 💜💛

Your hard work, perseverance, late nights, and Pirate spirit have paid off. No matter where life takes you next, you’ll always be a Pirate at heart. ⚓💜

📸 Graduates, we want to see your memories!
Drop your graduation photos in the comments below—caps, gowns, family celebrations, and all the Pirate pride. Let’s celebrate together and relive the joy of the day!

Once a Pirate, always a Pirate. 🏴‍☠️🎉

Congratulations, grads!

🎓 Just one more sleep until graduation! 🎓

We’re so excited to celebrate all of our graduating students as they reach this important milestone. We’re incredibly proud of your hard work and accomplishments and can’t wait to cheer you on as you walk across the stage.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026—we wish you all the best in what comes next! 💜💛

🚨 We’re Hiring! 🚨

🔬 Laboratory Assistant – Advanced

Be part of East Carolina University’s Chemistry Department, helping support General & Organic Chemistry labs serving 1,100+ students.

Responsibilities include lab preparation, equipment upkeep, inventory management, and supervising student employees.

🗓️ Apply by May 20, 2026

👉 https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/93152

🎉 Celebrating Our Chemistry Students! 🎉

On April 29, 2026, our department hosted its annual Chemistry Awards Ceremony, honoring the achievements of 104 outstanding students!

Awards were presented across a wide range of areas, including Allied Health, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, ACS (American Chemical Society), Outstanding Seniors, Student Teaching, Departmental Service, and scholarship recipients.

While we weren’t able to capture photos of every awardee, we are incredibly proud of all the students who were recognized.

Congratulations on your hard work, dedication, and accomplishments—we can’t wait to see what you achieve next! 🧪🎓

🎉 Faculty Recognition Spotlight 🎉

We’re proud to celebrate Dr. Eli Hvastkovs, who was recognized last night with the Board of Governors Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award. This prestigious honor highlights his outstanding dedication to teaching excellence and his lasting impact on student learning. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement, Dr. Hvastkovs!

We also recognize Dr. Rosa Bell and Dr. Thomas Shoopman on their nominations for the ECU Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award and the Robert L. Jones Teaching Award, respectively. Their recognition reflects a shared commitment to excellence in teaching and student success.

Join us in congratulating all three faculty members for these impressive accomplishments and for representing the very best of ECU! 💜💛

🔬 Research Excellence at ECU Chemistry 🔬

We’re excited to share that several members of the ECU Chemistry Department were recognized at last night’s University Research Award Ceremony for their outstanding achievements!

⭐ Dr. Colin Burns and Dean Allison Danell were named Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors, honoring their significant contributions to innovation and research.

⭐ Dr. Adam Offenbacher received the Five‑Year Research Award in recognition of his impactful research at ECU.

Please join us in congratulating our faculty on these well‑deserved honors! 👏

🧪 ECU Research & Creative Achievement Week Spotlight 🧪

The Department of Chemistry was proud to have a strong presence at ECU’s Research and Creative Achievement Week (RCAW), where our students showcased innovative research spanning molecular design, environmental health, and biochemistry 🔬⚗️💜💛

👏 Student presenters included:

• Ayden Buechler & Chaz Walker – Rhodium-Catalyzed Ring Annulation for the Enantioselective Construction of Fused Ring Systems

• Sydney Coll – Can Synthetic Collagen Still Be Stable?

• Ariana Collins – Structural and Kinetic Studies of Animal CRYs

• Leanna Dover & Katherine DeFeo – Fibrinogen and α-C: Structure and Function

• Sy Duke – Investigating the Effects of Zinc Ions on Transthyretin Amyloidosis

• Christopher East – Occurrence and Distribution of PFAS in Blue Crab, Clams, and Oysters from Wilmington, NC

• Haley Williams – Never Say Forever: PFAS Capture Design

🎉 We’re incredibly proud of our students for representing ECU Chemistry with professionalism, curiosity, and !

🔗 Explore the full list of presentations and awards:
👉 https://gradschool.ecu.edu/research-creative-achievement-week/awards/