Alumni News

Alumni in the news

September 2, 2019

Alumni in the news

What is most notable about the array of stories we see about our alumni is the variety of disciplines and research they are involved in. From changing our fundamental understanding of how DNA works, to discovering new elements on the periodic table, and the exploration of the chemistry in paint restoration, here are some fascinating recent articles we've spotted.

Alumna General (Ret.) Ellen Pawlikowski named Judge Widney Professor at USC.

August 28, 2019

Ellen Pawlikowski

Ellen M. Pawlikowski (Ph.D. '81, ChemE) has been named the Judge Widney Professor at the University of Southern California (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering. General Pawlikowski, whose appointment at USC becomes effective this fall, will be a Judge Widney Professor, a title named for one of USC’s founders, Judge Robert Maclay Widney, and reserved at USC for eminent individuals from the arts, sciences, professions, business, and community and national leadership.

The Woman Who Got Bromine Out of Kids’ Pajamas Fears It’s Coming Back

August 29, 2019

Arlene Blum

Among the technical and sometimes arcane-seeming debates at this year’s meeting of the International Code Council was one that grew surprisingly emotional: whether building codes should allow the use of polystyrene insulation not treated with flame retardant in foundations, below a 3.5-inch concrete slab. According to Dr. Arlene Blum, at stake was a larger argument about whether some volatile elements, including bromine, are safer for human health if they’re part of longer chains of molecules.

The American Chemical Society announces 2020 Awards

August 26, 2019

American Chemical Society logoThe American Chemical Society has announced their 2020 award recipients. College of Chemistry faculty, students and alumni are being honored at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in conjunction with the ACS Spring National Meeting in Philadelphia.

ExxonMobil and Mosaic Materials explore new carbon capture technology

August 27, 2019

ExxonMobile announces deal with Mosaic Materials

Sometimes solutions to complex, wide-ranging challenges can fit in the palm of your hand. That is certainly true with a developing technology that could help bring carbon capture to scale around the world. Invented at the University of California, Berkeley and supported by a group of entrepreneurial scientists at Cyclotron Road, these breath-mint sized pellets efficiently adsorb carbon dioxide from emission sources.

Alumna JoAnne Stubbe named 2020 Priestley Medalist

August 26, 2019

JoAnne Stubbe

Alumna JoAnne Stubbe (Ph.D. '71, Chem), the Novartis Professor of Chemistry and Biology, emerita, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will receive the 2020 Priestley Medal, the American Chemical Society’s highest honor.

2019 Reaxys PhD Prize winners announced

July 30, 2019

2019 Reaxys PhD Prize winnersFive UC Berkeley Ph.D. students have been announced as finalists of this year's Reaxys PhD Prize. The Prize celebrates innovative and rigorous research by ambitious young chemists. The Review Committee examined over 360 entries from around the globe to arrive at the 45 finalists.

Alum explores the costs of doing business in space

July 30, 2019

The cost of doing business in spaceThe world already benefits greatly from space technology, especially in terms of communications, positioning services, Earth observation, and economic activity related to government-funded space programs. With an explosion of more than 2,000 commercial space companies, including those building communications satellites, orbital launch vehicles, and rovers for the Moon and Mars, the world’s commercial space capabilities are quickly expanding beyond our satellite industry,

How a botched train robbery led to the birth of modern American criminology

May 1, 2019

Edward Oscar Heinrich

Following a huge manhunt to capture three train robbers, authorities called in an up-and-coming forensic scientist Edward Oscar Heinrich (BS, 1908, Chem), a UC Berkeley lecturer and alumnus, to help solve what became known as the "Last Great Train Robbery." He didn’t know that the case would put him on the map as a pioneer in modern American criminology .

Alumna Geraldine Richmond to speak at Commencement

April 9, 2019

Geraldine Richmond

Alumna Geraldine Richmond (Ph.D. '80, Chem with George Pimentel), Presidential Chair in Science and Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oregon will speak at this year's College of Chemistry commencement in May. Her research examines the chemistry and physics that occurs at complex surfaces that have relevance to important problems in energy production, environmental remediation and atmospheric chemistry.