Chemistry at Illinois

Congratulations to Professor Xiaotang Lu, who has been named a Beckman Young Investigator by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation—an honor recognizing the most promising early-career scientists in the chemical and life sciences.
Lu’s research at the intersection of chemistry and neuroscience, explores how the brain’s vast network of connections—the connectome—drives its extraordinary computing power.
➡ https://chemistry.illinois.edu/news/2026-06-09/professor-xiaotang-lu-selected-2026-beckman-young-investigator

Thank you to Illinois Chemistry alum Stephanie Potisek Lee (PhD ’08) for returning to campus as the 2026 Sylvia M. Stoesser Lecturer!

Now an R&D Strategy Leader at Dow, Dr. Lee delivered two insightful and inspiring lectures, sharing her journey from Illinois to industry leadership. She offered a behind-the-scenes look at her work as an R&D scientist. We’re grateful for her time, expertise, and for inspiring the next generation of scientists! 🙌

Alumni—make your reservations for a truly unforgettable evening!

Chemistry at Illinois invites you to the inaugural Alumni Dinner at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo on September 24, 2026 (5–8 PM). Enjoy a social hour, elegant plated dinner, and meaningful connections with fellow alumni, faculty, and friends. We’ll also celebrate the first-ever Chemistry at Illinois Alumni Award recipients. We hope to see you there! 🧡💙
Reservations ➡ https://go.chemistry.illinois.edu/AlumniDinner

Still feeling the joy from yesterday’s chemistry Convocation! 🎓✨
Such a fun day celebrating our incredible Chemistry at Illinois graduates. Your hard work, perseverance, and passion brought you to this moment and now you’re part of our alumni family. Wherever your path leads, go boldly and make your mark—you’re ready. 🧡💙

🎓 Graduates, this is your moment! 🎉

We are incredibly proud of our Chemistry at Illinois graduates and all that you’ve accomplished. As you celebrate this weekend, take a moment to soak it all in—the cheers of your family and friends, the memories you’ve created, and the challenges you’ve overcome to get here.

🧡 💙 Congratulations, Class of 2026! We can’t wait to celebrate with you at chemistry Convocation on Sunday!

Details on the home page ➡ https://chemistry.illinois.edu/

It’s tempting to call Chemistry at Illinois alumnus Soumitra Athavale Iron Man. Named to C&EN’s “Talented 12” list, Soumitra is engineering iron-containing enzymes to do chemistry they’ve never done before. His research could change the way drugs are made by using sustainable and environmentally friendly systems to replace ones that use precious metals, compressed gases, and specialized ligands.

2026 Talented 12: Soumitra Athavale Forging next-generation iron biocatalysts

Alumnus Christopher J. Cramer (Ph.D., '88) has attended many graduation ceremonies in his 30 years as a chemistry professor. As the speaker for this year's chemistry Convocation on Sunday, May 17, Cramer looks forward to sharing the excitement of the moment with the graduates and their loved ones.
“That is the best part, reveling in the feeling of accomplishment,” Cramer said.
Alumni profile ➡ https://chemistry.illinois.edu/news/2026-03-27/christopher-cramer-phd-88-may-2026-convocation-speaker

Sharing this opportunity!

Do you know a forward-thinking associate professor, newly promoted professor, or mid-career researcher interested in leadership and innovation?

The Emerging Research Leaders Academy (ERLA) provides the tools, training, and network for mid-career faculty and researchers to achieve research success.

We're now accepting nominations for the 2026-27 cohort of emerging research leaders.

You don't need to research health to apply. ERLA is open to faculty across campus.

Applicants must be nominated by a department head, dean, or director, so be sure to get started early!

🔸🔸 Nominations are DUE May 29, 2026.🔸🔸

Submit a nomination: https://lnkd.in/gMjx65ah

View details and eligibility: https://lnkd.in/gPstCPYd

The Emerging Research Leaders Academy is facilitated by IHSI in partnership with Beckman Institute at Illinois, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
College of Applied Health Sciences at Illinois, Liberal Arts & Sciences at Illinois, The Grainger College of Engineering, and the Office of Proposal Development at .

We are incredibly proud of our Illinois chemistry majors who showcased their research through oral and poster presentations at Thursday’s Undergraduate Research Week Symposium. Your passion, energy, and enthusiasm were truly inspiring. Thank you for your dedication and for sharing your science so brilliantly! 🙌

Students and faculty in Chemistry at Illinois were enlightened this week by the presentations of Prof. Dr. Christophe Copéret, professor and head, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich. During his visit to campus as the 2026 recipient of the John C. Bailar, Jr. Lectureship and Medal, Prof. Benjamin Snyder (right) presented Dr. Copéret (left) with the Bailar medal before his first lecture, "Understanding Catalysis, One Atom at a Time."