Awards and Honors

College of Chemistry awards and honors featured in the news.

David Schaffer appointed Hubbard Howe Jr Distinguished Chair in Biochemical Engineering

December 26, 2018

David SchafferThe department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) has announced the appointment of David Schaffer as the Hubbard Howe Jr. Distinguished Chair in Biochemical Engineering. Schaffer is a professor of Chemical and Biolmolecular Engineering, Bioengineering, Molecular & Cell Biology, and the Director of the Berkeley Stem Cell Center.

Professor Christopher Chang awarded the 2019 Sackler Prize in Chemistry

February 1, 2019

Christopher Chang wins Sackler PrizeChristopher Chang, Professor of Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley has been awarded the Raymond and Beverly Sackler International Prize in Chemistry from Tel Aviv University. The prize recognizes distinguished scientists under age 45 who have made outstanding and fundamental contributions in their fields. Chang’s research interests include inorganic, organic, and biological chemistry. His research laboratory pursues new concepts in sensing and catalysis to study metals in biology and energy.

Jennifer Doudna awarded 2020 Wolf Prize in Medicine

January 13, 2020
Jennifer Doudna, UC Berkeley professor of molecular and cell biology and of chemistry, has won the 2020 Wolf Prize in Medicine, a prestigious international prize awarded in Israel for unique contributions to humanity.

Alivisatos to receive the 2017 NAS Award in Chemical Sciences

January 25, 2017

Paul AlivisatosArmand Paul Alivisatos will receive the 2017 NAS Award in Chemical Sciences. Alivisatos is a pioneer in the field of nanotechnology, with work that has had important ramifications for the development of renewable energy, biomedical imaging, light-emitting devices, and other fields.

Dean Toste elected to National Academy of Sciences

April 28, 2020

Dean Toste

Dean Toste, the Gerald E.K. Branch Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at UC Berkeley, and a faculty scientist in the Chemical Sciences Division at Berkeley Lab has been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his distinguished and continuing achievements in original chemical research. This year, the academy selected 120 new members and 26 international members during the annual meeting on April 27. Membership in the academy is considered one of the highest honors that can be afforded to a U.S. scientist or engineer.

Ignacio Tinoco Award of the Biophysical Society

March 16, 2018

Ignacio TinocoNominations are now open for the 2019 inaugural Ignacio "Nacho" Tinoco Award of the Biophysical Society.

Teresa Head-Gordon named ACS Fellow

July 17, 2018


Boreskov Institute of CatalysisThe American Chemical Society has named Chancellor’s Professor of Chemistry, Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Teresa Head-Gordon as an ACS Fellow for 2018. Head-Gordon has been recognized for her development of advanced theoretical and computational models and methodologies applied to chemical physics and biophysics of water and solvation, macromolecules and assemblies, complex interfaces, and catalysis.

Alexis Bell elected to the Russian Academy of Sciences

November 20, 2019

Alex T. Bell

The College of Chemistry is pleased to announce that Alexis Bell, The Dow Professor of Sustainable Chemistry, has been made a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (the Academy). The Membership of the Academy is formed of its Members (Academicians), the...

Kwabena Bediako among recipients of Air Force award granted to 40 scientists and engineers through young investigator research program

October 16, 2019

Kwabena Bediako

ARLINGTON,VIRGINIA – The Air Force Office of Scientific Research — the basic research component of the Air Force Research Laboratory — today announced it will award approximately $17.8 million in grants to 40 scientists and engineers from 30 research institutions and businesses who submitted winning research proposals through the Air Force's Young Investigator Research Program (YIP).