Nov
4
2025
Department of Chemistry Faculty Seminar, Presenter Julia Kalow (F...
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Evanston
Department of Chemistry Faculty Seminars
Recent News
No-sort plastic recycling is near
Chemists in Tobin Marks' Lab at Northwestern have developed a new nickel-based catalyst that can upcycle mixed plastic waste without pre-sorting. By breaking down common single-use plastics into valuable products, this breakthrough could make recycling more efficient, practical, and economically viable on a large scale.
Chemist James Gaynor receives Packard Fellowship
Professor James Gaynor has received a 2025 Packard Fellowship, recognizing him as one of the nation’s most innovative early-career scientists. The five-year award supports his groundbreaking attochemistry research, capturing how electrons and energy move in molecules in real time—advancing understanding of chemical reactions at the atomic level and opening new frontiers in photochemistry.
Molecular coating cleans up noisy quantum light
Professor Mark Hersam and his team have developed a simple, scalable strategy to make quantum light sources more precise and reliable. By coating tungsten diselenide with an organic molecule, they boosted single-photon purity by 87%, controlled photon color, and lowered activation energy—advancing secure quantum communications and ultra-sensitive sensors.
Announcements & Events
Event Highlight
Join us Friday, Nov. 7th at 4:30 p.m. for the Basolo Medal Lecture
Recent Awards
Lin Chen receives 2026 E. Bright Wilson Award in Spectroscopy
Upcoming Events
Nov
5
2025
Chemistry Department Colloquium: Frank Glorius, Universität Müns...
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Evanston
Chemistry Department Colloquium Hosted by Nathan Gianneschi
Nov
7
2025
Fred Basolo Medal, 2025 Recipient: Ric Kaner, UCLA
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, Evanston
Hosted by Omar Farha 6:30 Reception at the Hilton Orrington by Invitation Only
Community Spotlight
The faculty, students, alumni, and staff who comprise our department are dedicated to outstanding research and scholarship.
Fall Newsletter
With the start of a new academic year, I am delighted to welcome a new cohort of students to our department and to see the energy and enthusiasm they bring. The past year has been full of adventures, growth, and many successes across research, teaching, and service—from welcoming Jesse Gordon as a new faculty member, to celebrating the promotions of Todd Gingrich and Katie Gesmundo, to recognizing the many national ACS awards received by our faculty. These achievements reflect the dedication, creativity, and collaboration of our community, and they remind me how fortunate I am to serve as chair of such a remarkable department.
Looking ahead, I am confident that the future is bright—filled with opportunities to push the boundaries of discovery, strengthen our programs, and continue building an environment where every member can thrive. I look forward to seeing what we are capable of achieving together in the coming months and years. Let us remain committed to supporting one another, lifting each other up, and celebrating both individual and collective successes along the way. Go ’Cats!
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