Jul
8
2026
2026 Malcolm Dole Lectures in Physical Chemistry
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Evanston
Northwestern Chemistry welcomes Todd Martinez from Stanford University Discovering Chemistry and Photochemistry From First Principles M...
Recent News
Northwestern chemist receives Brown Investigator Award
Julia Kalow is the first Northwestern faculty member to receive this prestigious award, which supports bold, early-stage research with transformative potential. Kalow was selected as one of eight researchers nationwide for her work exploring how polaritons can alter organic reactions. The award provides up to $2 million over five years to advance pioneering scientific ideas.
Printed neurons communicate with living brain cells
Mark Hersam and his team at Northwestern have developed printed artificial neurons that can communicate with living brain cells. The flexible, low-cost devices could advance brain-machine interfaces and neuroprosthetics while also laying groundwork for more energy-efficient computing systems modeled on the remarkable signaling efficiency of the human brain.
Bottled lightning makes a cleaner fuel
Dayne Swearer and the Swearer Lab at Northwestern have developed a new way to convert methane into methanol using electricity, water and a copper-oxide catalyst. Inspired by lightning chemistry, the single-step process could offer a cleaner, electrified route to producing one of the world’s most important chemical building blocks.
Announcements & Events
Faculty Honors
Department Chair Omar Farha celebrates his induction into the National Academy of Inventors.
Faculty Honors
James Gaynor receives the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF)
Upcoming Events
Jul
9
2026
2026 Malcolm Dole Lectures in Physical Chemistry - Day 2
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Evanston
Northwestern Chemistry welcomes Todd Martinez from Stanford University Can Theory Predict Experimental Photochemical Observables? 11:00...
Jul
23
2026
2026 James A. Ibers Summer Lectures in Inorganic Chemistry
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Evanston
James Ibers Lecture with Prof. Stefanie Dehnen, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Multinary Clusters: Atomically Precise Nanoobje...
Community Spotlight
The faculty, students, alumni, and staff who comprise our department are dedicated to outstanding research and scholarship.
Summer 2026 Newsletter
This year, we had the privilege of celebrating four extraordinary members of our community, Brian Hoffman, Tobin Marks, Rick Silverman, and George Schatz, each of whom has dedicated more than five decades of service to Northwestern University and the Department of Chemistry. Their collective impact on our department is difficult to overstate. Through pioneering research, visionary leadership, exceptional teaching, and unwavering mentorship, they have helped shape the identity and trajectory of Northwestern Chemistry. Their discoveries have advanced science on a global scale, while their guidance has influenced generations of students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty who continue to make meaningful contributions around the world. Our department gathering was more than a celebration of years of service; it was a recognition of a legacy built on excellence, curiosity, collaboration, and commitment to the academic mission. We are deeply grateful for all they have contributed to our department and university. Their achievements continue to inspire our community and serve as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact that dedicated scholars can have on science, education, and society.
Our Research
Research at the Department of Chemistry is innovative, collaborative and interdisciplinary by nature.
Cutting Edge Science
Watch our videos to learn more about the Chemistry at Northwestern.
Learn more about interdisciplinary training in the Department
Learn more about student leadership in the Department