Recent Named Lectures
For decades, Northwestern Chemistry has built its reputation on innovation, shaped by a collaborative culture. The department’s endowed lecture series continues this legacy by bringing distinguished scholars to campus—honoring past faculty while inspiring the next generation. These events go beyond research presentations, fostering mentorship, intellectual exchange, and community. Explore some of the exciting lectures hosted this fall:
2024 Fred Basolo Medal for Outstanding Research in Inorganic Chemistry
Honoring a Legend in Inorganic Chemistry, Galen Stucky
The Fred Basolo Award for Outstanding Research in Inorganic Chemistry is the department’s most prestigious annual event. The 2024 Basolo Medal was awarded to Galen D. Stucky (UC Santa Barbara) for his groundbreaking work on low-cost inorganic agents for blood clot regulation. With esteemed event with members of the Chicago ACS chapter in attendance, hosted a dinner that connected students, faculty, and distinguished guests in celebrating the past, present, and future of inorganic chemistry at Northwestern Chemistry.
2024 Myron L. & Muriel S. Bender Distinguished Lectures in Organic Chemistry
Jefferey Kelly Kicks Off the Year by Exploring Advancing Protein Chemistry
The Bender Lectures, honoring Myron Bender, a pioneer in enzymology and physical organic chemistry, launched the academic year by diving into protein misfolding and neurodegenerative diseases. Jeffrey Kelly (Scripps Research) explored how pharmacological stabilization and autophagy activation could open new doors for treatment—setting the stage for another year of transformative chemistry at Northwestern.
2024 Charles D. Hurd Lectures
Chemistry’s Connects with Industry Leader Carolyn Duran from Apple, Inc.
The Hurd Lectures invite an industry leading chemist to help students meet people working outside academia. We were honored to have Carolyn Duran (Senior Director of Product Safety, Apple, Inc. and Northwestern MSE Adjunct Professor) as she explored real world applications of her research in her discussions on sustainable materials and Apple’s commitment to carbon neutrality. Her two sessions engaged faculty and students in a lively discussion on chemistry’s real-world impact. Her afternoon session with the Women in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) group offered practical advice on navigating STEM careers, making this year’s Hurd Lectures not just informative, but deeply personal for many attendees.
2024 L. Carroll King Memorial Lectures
Simon Blakey Shares How to Shape the Future of Chemistry Education
Chemistry isn’t just about reactions—it’s also about how we teach it. The L. Carroll King Memorial Lecture honors King’s dedication to both chemistry and education and is a pivotal event for faculty and students dedicated to advancing chemistry education. This October we welcomed Simon Blakey (Emory University) to discuss cutting-edge chiral catalysts and the evolution of undergraduate chemistry instruction. His work on Chemistry Unbound—a curriculum designed for more integrated, interdisciplinary learning—sparked engaging conversations among faculty about shaping the future of chemistry education.