College of Chemistry

Is the cure for Alzheimer’s hiding inside us?

August 8, 2018
Molly Fosco, OZY.com

A woman walking next to a rail.Alumna Annelise Barron (Ph.D. ChemE '95) thinks so. Alzheimer’s is the root cause of 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, and the complexity of the disease has troubled neurology researchers for decades. But Barron, an associate professor of bioengineering at Stanford, has uncovered a way for our own immune system to fight off a...

Alumna Vicky Benzing pursues second career as an air racer

August 21, 2018
by Marge d'Wylde


Richmond Sarpong research teamVicky Benzing (Ph.D. Chem ’86) always wanted to fly. While pursuing her first passion for Math and Chemistry, she earned her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at UC Berkeley. At the same time she also earned her private pilot certificate. Benzing went on to fly as a hobby while she built her successful career in the tech industry working for Tektronix, Sharp and Novellus Systems (which was bought by Lam in 2012.). Her passion for flying took over as a second career when she retired from Novellus Systems in 2012.

Patent awarded for DNA-targeting complex at heart of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing

October 30, 2018
By Robert Sanders | UC Berkeley media relations

CRISPR-CAS9 patent awarded to UC Berkeley and Jennifer DoudnaThe University of California announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted U.S. Patent Number 10,113,167, covering unique RNA guides that, when combined with the Cas9 protein, are effective at homing in on and editing genes. These RNA/protein combinations act like precision-targeted gene-editing scissors.

https://news.berkeley.edu/2018/10/30/patent-awarded-for-dna-targeting-complex-at…

In Memoriam: Norman Phillips

September 1, 2019
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

Norman E. Phillips

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Professor Norman Phillips, distinguished scientist and outstanding mentor and educator. He passed away on July 25 at the age of 90. Norm's research focused on materials and solid state chemistry. His many contributions are reflected in over 200 publications and numerous awards and honors, including his induction as a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Jeffrey Long and Don Tilley elected to the National Academy of Sciences

May 3, 2023
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

Jeffrey Long and Don Tilley

Jeffrey Long, Professor of Chemistry and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and T. Don Tilley, the PMP Tech Chancellor's Chair in Chemistry were among the 120 new members and 23 new international members...

Chemistry researchers work to develop new drug to inhibit COVID-19

May 19, 2020
by Robert Sanders | UC Berkeley Public Affairs
Thanks to Fast Grants, a group of seven COVID-19 research projects has started at UC Berkeley that could turn up new diagnostic and potential treatments for the infection within months.

Department of Chemistry welcomes new faculty

May 10, 2019
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

Alanna Schepartz and Michael Zuerch join the department of chemistry

Matthew Francis, Chair of the Department of Chemistry at UC Berkeley, announces the addition of two new faculty members who will join the College in July. Alanna Schepartz joins the faculty as the T. Z. and Irmgard Chu Distinguished Chair in Chemistry; Michael Zuerch joins the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Physical Chemistry.

Building awareness for a sustainable society and lifestyle

April 23, 2021
by Jhanvi Patel (B.S./BAA, ’22, ChemBio and Business)

woman shopping for bulk grocery items in a store

A young woman practices sustainable living purchasing bulk items in a store. (adobestock)

At UC Berkeley, students can teach classes called Decal to spread awareness and fun about the topics they are passionate about. Kelly Chou, currently a senior studying Chemistry at UC Berkeley, and...

David Limmer awarded 2021 Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship

February 16, 2021
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

Professor writing on whiteboard

David Limmer at UC Berkeley. (Photo: courtesy David Limmer)

The College of Chemistry is pleased to announce that David Limmer, Assistant Chemistry Professor and Chevron Chair in Chemistry, has been awarded a 2021 Fellowship by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. He joins the ranks of 126 early-...

Metal wires of carbon complete toolbox for carbon-based computers

September 24, 2020
By Robert Sanders | UC Berkeley media relations

Illustration of graphene nanoribbon

Scanning tunneling microscope image of wide-band metallic graphene nanoribbon (GNR). Each cluster of protrusions corresponds to a singly-occupied electron orbital. The formation of a pentagonal ring near each cluster leads to a more than tenfold increase in the conductivity of metallic GNRs. The GNR backbone has a width of 1.6...