Amy Palmer, University of Colorado Boulder
Biological Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Amy Palmer, University of Colorado Boulder
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar
Title: Using fluorescent biosensors quantitatively to learn new biology
by Amy Palmer, University of Colorado Boulder
Abstract: Fluorescent biosensors are powerful tools for tracking ions, molecules, and biochemical processes in live cells. In this talk I will discuss systematic approaches for using sensors to quantify analytes in mammalian cells and the new biological insights that can emerge as a consequence of quantification. This talk will focus on our efforts to build a suite of genetically encoded sensors for zinc as well as newer work developing biosensors our of RNA.
Host: Ming Hammond.
Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, March 26, 2026, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Ken Hanson, Florida State University
Physical Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Ken Hanson, Florida State University
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person SeminarTitle: Understanding and Controlling Light Harvesting Structures at Molecule-Metal Oxide Interfaces, by Ken Hanson, Florida State University, Abstract: Light responsive molecule-metal oxide interfaces are of interest for a range of applications including solar energy conversion, photocatalysis, sensing, and more. Crucial to many of these is realizing efficient energy/electron transfer and long excited state lifetimes of the surface bound molecules. In this presentation we will first recount our effort using polarized spectroscopic techniques to determine the structure of surface bound multilayer molecular assemblies. These insights are necessary first step towards controlling the multimolecular structure (i.e. relative distance and orientation), and structurally dependent energy and electron transfer events. Then we will describe our work towards hindering excited…
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, March 30, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Raul Navarro, Occidental College
Organic Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Raul Navarro, Occidental College
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-person seminar
Title: Regiodivergent Pd-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Cross-Coupling Reactions
by Raul Navarro, Occidental College
Abstract: The palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative allylic alkylation (DAA) reaction has proven a robust tool in the synthesis of bioactive small molecules. Existing strategies to engage carbon-centered nucleophiles in DAA chemistry primarily rely on stabilized enolate-based nucleophiles, delivering a range of highly functionalized a-allylated products. In contrast, reports that detail the formation of the regioisomeric cyclopropanation product remain relatively scarce. The Navarro lab recently addressed this limitation by engaging stabilized benzylic nucleophiles in decarboxylative coupling. We recently demonstrated that allyl ester-substituted phthalides undergo efficient allylation in the presence of a Pd/Xantphos catalyst. Interestingly, when Xantphos is…
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Robert Lazenby, Florida State University
Analytical Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Robert Lazenby, Florida State University
In-Person Seminar
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
Title: TBA
by Robert Lazenby, Florida State University
Abstract: TBA
Host: Long Luo.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, April 6, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Yitong Dong, University of Oklahoma
Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Yitong Dong, University of Oklahoma
In-person seminar
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
Title: TBA
by Yitong Dong, University of Oklahoma
Abstract: TBA
Host: Minglee Tang.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Jenny Yang, UC Irvine
Analytical/Physical Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Jenny Yang, UC Irvine
TBBC 4630
In-Person Seminar
Title: TBA
by Jenny Yang, UC Irvine
Abstract: TBA
Host: Long Luo.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, April 13, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Nobuhiro Yanai, University of Tokyo
Organic and Materials Seminar at the University of Utah
with Nobuhiro Yanai, University of Tokyo
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar
Title: TBA
by Nobuhiro Yanai
Abstract: TBA
Host: Ming Lee Tang.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Christy Landes, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Ted Eyring Lecture at the University of Utah
with Christy Landes, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar
Title: TBA
by Christy Landes
Abstract: TBA
Host: Connor Bischak.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, April 20, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Yifan Wang, University of Georgia
Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Yifan Wang, University of Georgia
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-person seminar
Title: TBA
by Yifan Wang, University of Georgia
Abstract: TBA
Host: Andrew Roberts/Qilei Zhu.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
The Giddings Lecture with Pat Unwin, University of Warwick
The Giddings Lectures at the University of Utah
with Pat Unwin, University of Warwick
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar
Title: TBA
by Pat Unwin, University of Warwick
Host: Long Luo.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, April 27, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
The Giddings Lecture at the University of Utah with Pat Unwin, University of Warwick
The Giddings Lecture at the University of Utah
with Pat Unwin, University of Warwick
TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar
Title: TBA
by Pat Unwin, University of Warwick
Abstract: TBA
Host: Long Luo.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
Andrew McNally, Colorado State University
Organic Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Andrew McNally, Colorado State University
In-person seminar
4630 TBBC
4th floor Thatcher
Title: Chemistry for Medicinal Chemistry
with Andrew McNally, Colorado State University
Abstract: Pyridines and diazines are ubiquitous in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, yet there are limits in synthetic methods that can directly functionalize the C–H bonds in these structures. We will show three distinct approaches, using phosphorus, ring-opened intermediates and deconstruction-reconstruction, that enable selective functionalization of these heterocycles into a range of valuable derivatives. A range of C–C and C–Heteroatom bond formations are viable, and the chemistry functions on structures typically encountered in drug discovery programs. Our lab has also performed mechanistic and computational studies of the regioselectivity of these reactions and the phosphorus ligand-coupling processes involved.
Host: Qilei Zhu.
Event Categories: Seminars. Campus Locations: Thatcher Chemistry Building (TBBC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.