Curie Club and ChemSAC Coffee Chat
.
Event Categories: Meetups. Campus Locations: Eyring Chemistry Building - Henry (HEB). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
Juan Del Valle, Notre Dame
Organic Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Juan Del Valle, Notre Dame
TBBC 4630 (4th floor Thatcher)
Mimicry and modulation of neurodegenerative protein misfolds
by Juan Del Valle, Notre Dame
Abstract: The pathologic phenotype of several neurodegenerative disorders is the presence of amyloid deposits in the brain. Filaments composed of b-sheet protein assemblies can spread in a prion-like fashion, templating the conformation-specific misfolding of soluble monomers. In principle, modulating amyloidogenic protein-protein interactions is possible through mimicry of aggregation-prone β-strands. However, the design of stable and soluble β-sheet peptides remains a considerable challenge, where progress lags far behind α-helix and turn/loop mimicry. Here, we describe efforts toward backbone oxidized peptides and sidechain stapled macrocycles that potentiate the form and function of tau folds associated with disease. The impact of specific chemical modifications on b-strand, sheet, and arch stability…
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Contact Phone: 8015817241. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, September 18, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Ryan Julian, UCR
Analytical Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Ryan Julian, UC Riverside
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar
The microtubule nexus linking amyloid beta and tau: A simple and unifying theory for the underlying cause of Alzheimer's Disease
with Ryan Julian, UC Riverside
Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is defined by cognitive decline in conjunction with accumulation of aggregated amyloid β (Aβ) and tau, yet existing models of AD fail to provide a simple connection between Aβ and tau. Similarly, our recent research into the isomerization of tau identified a striking correlation with cognitive decline, but only for AD and not other related forms of neurodegeneration and with no direct connection to Aβ. These results forced us to reconsider how these interactors might be connected. The initial key involved recognition that the microtubule binding domains of tau share high homology with Aβ suggesting that Aβ could potentially serve as a tau mimic and impede the binding of tau to…
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, September 22, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Frank Leibfarth, UNC
Materials/Organic Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Frank Leibfarth, UNC
TBBC 4630 (4th floor Thatcher)
Controlling Reactivity and Selectivity for the Discovery of Sustainable Thermoplastics
by Frank Leibfarth, UNC
Abstract: Plastics are the largest synthetic consumer product in the world, with an annual production of over 360 million metric tons annually. Despite the structural diversity enabled by modern advances in polymer synthesis, greater than 60% of world plastic production remains dominated by polyolefins. These high-volume, low-cost engineering thermoplastics are made from a small sub-set of petroleum derived monomers and demonstrate diverse thermomechanical properties, attractive chemical resistance, and excellent processability. Creating sustainable materials that compete with the performance and value proposition of polyolefinsis a grand challenge for the field of polymer science. The goal of research in the Leibfarth group is to control develop synthetic methods that transform…
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Contact Phone: 8015817241. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Zachary Wickens, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Organic Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Zachary Wickens, University of Wisconsin-Madison
TBBC 4630 (4th floor Thatcher)
Selective synthesis with light and electricityby Zachary Wickens, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Abstract: This seminar will describe our investigations into how organic radical ions–typically thought of as fleeting intermediates–can be tamed and exploited as a new family of organocatalysts and small molecule reagents. We identified selective generation of such species as a key hurdle stymying development of these systems. To address this problem, we have leveraged electrochemistry and photochemistry to develop new synthetic transformations driven by organic radical ions. Electrochemistry offers not only an environmentally benign approach to promote redox events but also substantially simplifies the study of these unusual systems by enabling the exclusion of byproducts from oxidation or reductive generation of the key radical ion promoters. This seminar will describe…
Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Contact Phone: 8015817241. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, September 25, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Joey Cotruvo, Penn State
Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Joey Cotruvo, Penn State University
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar
Unearthing the lanthanome for rare-earth separations
by Joey Cotruvo, Penn State University
Abstract: Rare earth elements - comprising the lanthanides, yttrium, and scandium - are considered by the U.S. government to be especially critical minerals for technology and national security, in part because they are among the most difficult metals to separate and purify from one another. An essential biological role of lanthanides has been appreciated for just 15 years, since the discovery that certain lanthanides are specifically incorporated into the methanol dehydrogenase enzymes of ubiquitous bacteria called methylotrophs. In this talk, I will describe my group's efforts to understand how these bacteria selectively uptake, sort and traffic lanthanides. I will also show how we have leveraged this understanding to develop biomolecular technologies for recovery and separation of…
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, September 26, 2025, 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM.
Seminars by Distinguished Alumni Hyung Kyu Shin and Michael Hunnicutt
Distinguished Alumni Seminar at the University of Utah
with Hyung Kyu Shin and Michael Hunnicutt
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-person seminar
Title: TBA
by Hyung Kyu Shin
Abstract: TBA
Bio: Hyung Kyu Shin is Professor Emeritus in the Chemistry Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. His research interests include the theory of molecular collisions, including the dynamics of gas-surface reactions, collision-induced intramolecular energy flow and bond dissociation in large molecules, and vibrational relaxation of matrix-isolated guest molecules.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1959 and his Ph.D. in 1961 from the University of Utah (working with J. Calvin Giddings). He held postdoctoral appointments at the National Bureau of Standards and Cornell University before joining the faculty at the University of Nevada, Reno in 1965.
During his time at UNR, Dr. Shin served twice as Chair of the Chemistry Department. He was recognized as the university's first Outstanding Researcher of the Yea…
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, September 29, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Distinguished Alumni Seminar with Sally Hunnicutt
Distinguished Alumni Seminar at the University of Utah
with Sally Hunnicutt, Professor of Chemistry Emerita at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-person seminar
POGIL-PCL: Workshops and experiments to support teaching and learning in the physical chemistry laboratoryby Sally Hunnicutt, Professor of Chemistry Emerita at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)Abstract: POGIL-PCL, Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning for the Physical Chemistry Laboratory, represents a community of instructors involved in the development and implementation of experiments for this course. The POGIL-PCL community was built on the emergence of experiments using guided inquiry principles; the experiments emphasize modeling of macroscopic and microscopic chemical phenomena, student design and refinement of experimental protocols, and data pooling to uncover physical chemistry principles. The POGIL-PCL experiment model was developed at workshops that create and support a community of experiment au…
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, September 29, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Allison Walker, Vanderbilt University
Organic Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Allison Walker, Vanderbilt University
In-person seminar
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
Machine learning strategies for natural product discovery and biosynthesis
by Allison Walker, Vanderbilt University
Abstract: Natural products play an important role in drug discovery. However, they are often discovered serendipitously and there is a lack of tools that enable prioritization of organisms that are likely to produce active and structurally novel compounds. In addition, natural products often need to be modified in order to be developed as therapeutics, but total synthesis of natural products is challenging. My lab aims to develop AI-guided genome mining techniques to enable the discovery of natural products with therapeutically-relevant bioactivities and the engineering of biosynthetic machinery to produce new natural product-like compounds. In this presentation, I will discuss my group’s recent progress in these areas. Biography: Allison Walker,…
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, October 2, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Scott Anderson, University of Utah
Physical Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Scott Anderson, University of Utah
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar
Title: TBA
by Scott Anderson, University of Utah
Abstract: TBA.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, October 13, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Martin Kirk, University of New Mexico
Materials Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Martin Kirk, University of New Mexico
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-person seminar
Photogenerated Molecular Spin Qubits, Spin Polarization, and Relaxation
by Martin Kirk, University of New Mexico
Abstract: Excited state interactions in spin containing Donor-Acceptor and Donor-Bridge-Acceptor systems are important for understanding the impact of electronic coupling (Hab) in molecular electronics and how magnetic exchange interactions affect excited state processes. Our efforts have focused on determining excited state contributions to molecular bridge mediated electronic coupling, understanding how open-shell excited state singlet configurations promote long-range electron correlation, and developing new platforms for spin control of excited state dynamics in photoexcited donor-acceptor molecules. These new systems are also relevant to the emerging molecular quantum information science field, allowing for the optical generation and manipulation of…
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
ChemSAC and Curie Club Coffee Chat
.
Event Categories: Meetups. Campus Locations: Eyring Chemistry Building - Henry (HEB). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
Patricia Musacchio, University of Buffalo
Organic Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Patricia Musacchio, University of Buffalo
TBBC 4630 (4th floor Thatcher)
Title: TBA
by Patricia Musacchio, University of Buffalo
Abstract: TBA
Host: Qilei Zhu.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Contact Phone: 8015817241. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, October 16, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Xiaoyang Zhu, Columbia University
Physical Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Xiaoyang Zhu, Columbia University
In-person seminar
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
Title: TBA
by Xiaoyang Zhu, Columbia University
Host: Connor Bischak.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, October 20, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Ming Lee Tang, University of Utah
Special Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Ming Lee Tang, University of Utah
4630 TBBC
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar
Title: TBA
by Ming Lee Tang, University of Utah
Abstract: TBA.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Eric Alexanian, UNC Chapel Hill
Organic Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Eric Alexanian, UNC Chapel Hill
TBBC 4630 (4th floor Thatcher)
Title: TBA
by Eric Alexanian, UNC Chapel Hill
Abstract: TBA
Host: Qilei Zhu.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Contact Phone: 8015817241. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, October 23, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Tom Linz, Wayne State University
Analytical Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Tom Linz, Wayne State University
Title: TBA
by Tom Linz, Wayne State University
Abstract: TBA
Host: Long Luo.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, October 27, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Barry Thompson, USC
Materials Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Barry Thompson, USC
TBBC 4630 (4th floor Thatcher)
Title: TBA
by Barry Thompson, USC
Abstract: TBA
Host: Connor Bischak.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Contact Phone: 8015817241. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Danzhou Yang, Purdue
Biological Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Danzhou Yang, Purdue
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar
Title: TBA
by Danzhou Yang, Purdue
Abstract: TBA
Host: Cynthia Burrows.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, October 30, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Ruibin Liang, Texas Tech University
Physical Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Ruibin Liang, Texas Tech University
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar
Unraveling the functional mechanisms and design principles of photoactive biomolecular systems through multiscale simulations by Ruibin Liang, Texas Tech University
Abstract: Photochemical reactions change electronic states during chemical transformations. A fundamental understanding of how they interact with proteins is essential for advances in biological and biomedical sciences. However, two central and fundamental questions remain elusive: (1) how does the protein environment modulate the pathway, dynamics, and quantum yields of the non-adiabatic reactions of the chromophores? (2) how do the non-adiabatic reactions induce structural changes in the protein? Molecular simulation is indispensable to answering these questions because it can resolve the energetics and kinetics of chemical reactions at atomic-level detail, which is often beyond the limit of current exp…
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, November 3, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Wei Liu, University of Cincinnati
Organic Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Wei Liu, University of Cincinnati
TBBC 4630 (4th floor Thatcher)
Title: TBA
by Wei Liu, University of Cincinnati
Abstract: TBA
Host: Qilei Zhu and Luo Long.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, November 6, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Jennifer Shumaker-Parry, University of Utah
Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Jennifer Shumaker-Parry, University of Utah
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-person seminar
Title: TBA
by Jennifer Shumake-Parry
Abstract: TBA.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, November 10, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
ChemSAC and Curie Club Coffee Chat
.
Event Categories: Meetups. Campus Locations: Eyring Chemistry Building - Henry (HEB). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
Matt Sigman, University of Utah
Organic Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Matt Sigman, University of Utah
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-person seminar
Title: TBA
by Matt Sigman, University of Utah
Abstract: TBA.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, November 13, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Michael Wasielewski, Northwestern University
Physical Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Michael Wasielewski, Northwestern University
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar
Title: TBA
by Michael Wasielewski, Northwestern University
Abstract: TBA
Host: Connor Bischak.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, November 17, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Shannon Stahl, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Organic Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Shannon Stahl, University of Wisconsin-Madison
TBBC 4630 (4th floor Thatcher)
Title: TBA
by Shannon Stahl, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Abstract: TBA
Host: Chem SAC.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, December 4, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Ann Wuttig, University of Chicago
Analytical Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Ann Wuttig, University of Chicago
In-person seminar
4630 TBBC
4th floor Thatcher
Electrocatalytic Synthesis with Interfacial Control
by Ann Wuttig, University of Chicago
Abstract: Chemical synthesis driven by electricity offers a scalable, decentralized, and energy-efficient route to furnish value-added products – from fuels to complex molecules. Maximizing reaction efficiency and durability requires immobilized catalytic active sites on electrodes, resulting in dispersed and non-uniform sites. This heterogeneity challenges iterative optimization of reactivity through traditional catalyst modifications, which rely on uniform, singular active sites. This lecture will focus on our research developing synthetic tools and concepts to predictively control interfacial structures at heterogeneous and reusable electrodes at the molecular level. Surface-sensitive techniques and mechanisms will be highlighted throughout the talk. Applications of our…
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, December 8, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
David Nagib, Ohio State University
Organic Seminar at the University of Utah
with David Nagib, Ohio State University
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-person seminar
Title: TBA
by David Nagib, Ohio State University
Abstract: TBA
Host: Zhu.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, December 11, 2025, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.