College of Chemistry

Alumna and Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold tapped by President Biden to be co-chair of the President's Council of Advisers on Science and Technology

January 19, 2021
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

Frances Arnold speaks at announcement ceremony

Professor Arnold speaks on the importance of science during a press conference.

President-elect Joe Biden on Saturday introduced key members of his White House science team, including his nominee for director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

"These are among the brightest,...

The race to repurpose nature’s protein factories

February 8, 2021
Celia Henry Arnaud | C&EN

illustration of ribosomes

The molecular machines that cells use to build proteins are backed by a billion years of evolution. In that time, these machines—ribosomes—have become exceptionally good at forging amide bonds between standard α-amino acids to make peptides and proteins.

Ribosomes are so good at their job that researchers want to harness them to make other polymers...

How scientists shot down cancer’s ‘Death Star’

February 5, 2021
Gina Kolata | New York Times

lung cancer cell

A colored scanning electron micrograph of a cell of a common type of lung cancer, called non-small cell cancer. A new drug targets the mutated protein that leads to uncontrolled growth. Credit Steve Gschmeissner/Science Source

After 40 years of effort, researchers have finally succeeded in switching off...

Discoveries at the Edge of the Periodic Table: First Ever Measurements of Einsteinium

February 3, 2021
By Julie Chao | Berkeley Lab

Members of the discovery team at Berkeley Lab

Berkeley Lab scientists Leticia Arnedo-Sanchez (from left), Katherine Shield, Korey Carter, and Jennifer Wacker had to take precautions against radioactivity as well as coronavirus to conduct experiments with the rare element, einsteinium. (Credit: Marilyn Sargent/Berkeley Lab)

Since...

The College of Chemistry welcomes Dr. Brice Yates as Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer

February 8, 2021
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

Brice Yates, Chief Diversity Officer

The College of Chemistry at UC Berkeley is delighted to announce that Dr. Brice Yates has joined us as the inaugural Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. He will be reporting to Professor Anne Baranger, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Dr. Yates joins the College with over ten years’...

Remembering Constance Ruben, friend of the College

March 10, 2018
By George Ruben

Remembering Constance RubenFriend of the College, Constance Mae Ruben, passed away on March 3, 2018. After graduation, she worked first in the College of Chemistry, followed by the criminology department, then for the agricultural publications section of UC Press. She was an editor and was responsible for putting together a book on the trees of the UC Berkeley campus.

John Markels announced as new College of Chemistry Advisory Board Chair

January 22, 2021
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

John Markels

John Markels, President of Vaccines, Merck (photo courtesy of Merck).

The College is delighted to announce that John Markels (Ph.D. '93, ChemE), President of Vaccines at Merck, will be our next...

Alanna Schepartz makes a cross-country voyage in search of new academic adventures

January 19, 2021
By Pavel Klier | Berkeley QB3

Alanna Scherpartz at Yale

Professor Alanna Schepartz moves to UC Berkeley for new scientific opportunities Photo: Yale University.

Professor Alanna Schepartz discusses the challenges and rewards of changing academic institutions.

...

UC awards funding for interfacial science initiative

January 19, 2021
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

clean water

Michael Zuerch, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, will helm a new interdisciplinary science initiative as part of the University of California's (UC) $19M grant program in support of research focused on improving the lives of Californians. Zuerch’s interdisiplinary team has received a grant to fund the California Interfacial Science Initiative (CISI). This...

UC Berkeley grad takes a closer look at nuclear forensics chemistry

January 14, 2021
Los Alamos National Lab

In 2017, radiochemistry graduate student Mark Straub left the comfortable academic environs of UC Berkeley and moved to the middle of New Mexico, where he spent his summer working full time at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), the birthplace of the Manhattan Project. There, Mark teamed up with LANL scientists ...