University of Pittsburgh - Department of Chemistry

04/16/2026

Congrats Uthsara!

The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Three Minute Thesis Contest took place on March 20th, 2026. Hannah Assour(Biological Sciences) won $1,000 from the Dietrich School to go towards research and travel and will go on to represent the school in the University-wide 3MT competition held by the Office of the Provost on April 6, 2026. A special thank you to our judges: Marta Lewicka (Mathematics), Pernille Roege (History), Tyler Bickford (English), Kamesha Spates (Africana Studies), Jennifer Laaser (Chemistry) and Carl Wang-Erickson (Mathematics). The Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Organization (GSO) also held Grad Expo on March 20, 2026. We are proud to announce this year’s Outstanding Presentation Award recipients: Jaya Shivangani Kashyap (Physics and Astronomy), Uthsara Malaweera Arachchi (Chemistry), Emily O’Brien (Psychology), Laya Shahzamani (Theatre Arts), Elsie Campbell (French & Italian), Ran An (Psychology). Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who helped make this day a success!

Read more about Uthsara here:
https://www.chem.pitt.edu/news/outstanding-presentation-award-uthsara-malaweera-arachchi

04/15/2026

Today, April 15th, is the last day to get our early bird discount on our Summer courses for Highschoolers. Check out our website to learn more about the courses and find the link for registration! https://zurl.co/iemLa

04/14/2026

On Friday, April 10th we held a day of events in honor of Professor David M. Hercules, a former chair and an important person in the history of our department.

We held a seminar presented by Professor David C. Muddiman. Prof. Muddiman received his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995 under the mentorship of the late David M. Hercules. Following Prof. Hercules’s passing, the Department of Chemistry established the Hercules Memorial Fellowship Award to honor his legacy. This award recognizes an outstanding graduate student or postdoctoral researcher, with particular emphasis on scientific creativity, independence, leadership, and the ability to collaborate across disciplines. The award will be presented to this year’s recipient following the seminar. Dr. Shirley Hercules handing the Award out.

Our 2026 David M. Hercules Fellowship Award went to Shubhankar Kundu! Congratulations Shubhankar!

"I'm a fourth-year graduate student at Professor Haitao Liu’s group. My research focuses on the surface chemistry of biomaterials and bio-interface science. I use DNA nanotechnology for protein patterning and polymer coatings for developing neurosurgical devices in collaboration with UPMC. I’m also exploring interactions of PFAS with DNA and development of nanoimprinted antibacterial plastics. Till date I have mentored eight undergraduate students, some of them have co-authored in peer reviewed journals and presented their work at national undergraduate research conferences. I'm actively involved in leading a Pitt affiliated student organization, serving as a broad member of PLU, and contributing as a student advisor to the Research,Opportunity, and Development team of the University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees during the current academic year. I'm deeply grateful to my advisor, Professor Haitao Liu, who has immensely influenced me in my scientific development, leadership quality, and character building."

After our the Seminar and award we held a career panel followed by a private reception and dinner.

Special Thanks to Dr. Shirley Hercules for allowing us to celebrate her husband and his legacy!

04/07/2026

Congratulations to our undergraduate award winners this year! We are so proud of our students and all of their accomplishments! Use the link below to see the full list of awardees:
https://www.chem.pitt.edu/news/undergraduate-awards-2026

03/17/2026

Prof. Peter Wipf is the winner of the 2026 E. C. Taylor Senior Award. This award, created by The International Society of Heterocyclic Chemistry (ISHC), recognizes researchers for outstanding contributions to the field of heterocyclic chemistry. See https://zurl.co/RSxNz for more information.

02/27/2026

Distinguished Professor David H. Waldeck has sadly passed away.
We send our condolences to his family along with the Faculty, Students and staff that knew and worked with him. He will be truly missed! Read more about Prof. Waldeck's life and work using this link: https://zurl.co/LHyuX

02/24/2026

It's Pitt's annual Day of Giving !
By giving to the department, you advance higher education and help shape the future of chemistry at Pitt, including support for undergrad research, grad student excellence, outstanding teaching and service.
Please give today: https://zurl.co/6WNC7

We need YOUR help to strengthen and expand our undergraduate and graduate programs. We’re thrilled to share several exciting new initiatives and invite you to contribute to one or more of these meaningful efforts: Chemistry Annual Giving FundThis fund supports the Department of Chemistry’s great...

02/16/2026

Prof. Kay Carter-Fenk receives Pittsburgh Quantum Institute Community Collaboration Award!
"I led this proposal in collaboration with Prof. Nathan Clark in the Department of Biological Sciences. We are going to combine phylogenetic analysis of migratory and non-migratory Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) with quantum chemistry simulations to search for evolutionarily conserved amino acids that contribute to the magnetic sensitivity of cryptochrome 1. Our simulations and comparative genomics studies aim to understand the mechanism behind the magnetic compass used by some migratory Lepidoptera (like monarch butterflies) during their migration." -Prof. Kay Carter-Fenk

02/02/2026

2026 PITT CHEM REU application are CLOSING SOON! Application close on February 6th, 2026. Find the link to our application through our NEW website > https://zurl.co/REU
Research opportunities are available for up to 9 undergraduate students who are expected to graduate in 2027 or 2028. Students will receive a stipend of $6000 for 10 weeks of summer research, supplement for meals, and free housing on Pitt Campus. The relocation expenses will also be covered by the REU grant in full.

Reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions

01/21/2026

Congratulations to Professor Lillian Chong, named the Graduate & Postdoc Alum of the year! This award recognizes an alum who has made outstanding contributions to science, research, society/community, or academia. Read more using this link https://zurl.co/YOUra