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News

Department of Chemistry

- April 21, 2026
  
  Sky Harper, chemistry '24, has gone from a first-gen student who became Drexel’s first “Triple Crown” scholar, to Mayo Clinic biomedical researcher, to a molecular pharmacology doctoral student and devoted advocate working to amplify indigenous youth’s access to education. In this Q&A, Harper describes how his experiences at Drexel helped him transition into a PhD program, exercise his voice for community reclamation, and shift the healthcare paradigm across tribal communities.
- July 08, 2025
  
  Recent College of Arts and Sciences graduates Asad Baig and Alexandra Goodin were awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants for 2025-26. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for one year of graduate study, research, creative projects or teaching English worldwide.
- September 25, 2024
  
  The College of Arts and Sciences is excited to welcome six new faculty members to our learning community this academic year. These accomplished scholars drive discovery and collaboration across disciplines and will serve as dedicated mentors to their students.
- March 07, 2024
  
  The Arts and Sciences Innovation Incubator brings together faculty members in diverse areas of expertise to collaborate on research projects that find creative ways to address some of our society's most challenging obstacles.
- September 01, 2023
  Last term, three Drexel students received major national and international scholarships — and all of them are involved in the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program for underrepresented minority students in STEM disciplines.
- May 22, 2023
  The goal is to create a concierge approach to academic tutoring, coaching and advising that empowers students and reduces barriers for finding support.
- May 18, 2023
  
  91��Ƭ�� Graduate College recently announced the recipients of the 2023 Graduate Excellence Awards. These awards recognize high-achieving graduate and professional students across disciplines in mentorship, scholarship, civic engagement, service, research and teaching assistance. Congratulations to the College of Arts and Sciences students who were honored with these awards!
- May 03, 2023
  
  Students in “Science and Religion: From the Big Bang to Neuroscience” spent the winter term exploring the development of science and religion through known human history. The course, taught by Professor of Chemistry Fraser Fleming, PhD, culminated in a nine-day trip to Switzerland, Germany and Italy over spring break.
- April 12, 2023
  Harper, chemistry ’24 adds the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship to a resume that already includes the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship and Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.
- April 10, 2023
  The Korman Center is becoming the hub of on-campus academic support services for students and a central place to get help for STEM classes, writing projects and so much more.
- November 16, 2022
  
  "Being away from home, over 1000 miles, for 75 percent of the year may seem daunting to some people, and I admit it did seem disheartening at first, but I have found my 91��Ƭ�� family and support system. If you have ambition and motivation, there is an endless number of opportunities here."
  
  Sky Harper, a third-year chemistry major, shares his experience finding community and opportunity at Drexel in this guest blog.
- December 15, 2021
  Despite a decline in ground-level ozone in the United States, the ozone in the air of many cities remains high, and scientists don’t know why. A new grant from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration will support the work of Associate Professor of Chemistry Ezra Wood, PhD, who is the principal investigator of a project to characterize ozone formation in New York City.
- December 10, 2021
  
  Executive Vice President and Nina Henderson Provost Paul Jensen recently announced the inaugural class of Nina Henderson Provost Scholars, which included three students from the College of Arts and Sciences. Congratulations to Jana Lenart, biological sciences, August Modiga, philosophy, politics and economics, and Disha Patel, chemistry.
- November 18, 2021
  
  Thanks to the generous support of Drexel alumni Bruce (BS '69, PhD '72) and Cynthia (BS '72) Maryanoff, selected College of Arts and Sciences students are able to participate in a chemistry research program during the first summer after their freshman year. Here recent Maryanoff Scholars share their research projects and their experience in the program.
- September 09, 2021
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
- August 17, 2021
  The College of Arts and Sciences, recognized by President John Fry as “the heart of the University,” presents CoAS Comes Back! on Tuesday, October 5, from 3 to 7 p.m., in Gateway Garden. All Arts and Sciences students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to gather, connect in person, and enjoy food, fun and music.
- August 12, 2021
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
- July 08, 2021
  As a means of supporting the ongoing development of 91��Ƭ��’s research, scholarship and creative activities, as well as recognizing excellence in teaching and professional service, the Office of Research & Innovation and the Office of Faculty Advancement and Undergraduate Affairs are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020-21 Research, Scholarship and Creativity Awards and the 2020-21 Provost Awards for Teaching, Scholarship and Professional Service.
- July 07, 2021
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
- June 08, 2021
  We are pleased to recognize the following graduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences, who recently received Drexel Emerging Graduate Scholars Conference Awards and Graduate Student Excellence Awards.
- May 04, 2021
  
  On Tuesday, June 8, 2021, the College of Arts and Sciences will celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2021 with a virtual commencement. The ceremony will be live-streamed from Mandell Theater, where a small party of dignitaries and speakers will gather.
- December 07, 2020
  Meet the new faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, and please join us in offering them a warm welcome to our community!
- September 28, 2020
  91��Ƭ��’s Department of Chemistry maintains high-tech instrumentation facilities and laboratories to support the research enterprises of faculty and students. The department’s laboratory specialist, Alan Shaffer, is integral to the success of those enterprises — particularly in the challenging shift to remote teaching and learning. We spoke with Shaffer to learn more about the function of his role in the chemistry department.
- September 28, 2020
  We caught up with two presidents of the Chemistry Department Graduate Student Association (ChemGSA) — outgoing president DJ Hall, and new president Jerica Wilson — to get their views on chemistry, ChemGSA and their futures.
- July 22, 2020
  In June, 91��Ƭ�� gathered virtually to recognize over 100 accomplished authors and editors in its eighth-annual Celebrating Drexel Authors event. Members of the College of Arts and Sciences featured prominently in the event, including professors, graduate students and alumni from across several departments.
- July 22, 2020
  The College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce that it will appoint an internal candidate to the new role of Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, with an expected start date of September 1, 2020. This new position will report directly to the Dean and become a member of the Dean’s Leadership Team, a group comprising Department Heads, Associate Deans and Directors.
- May 05, 2020
  Five faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences are participating in the Teaching and Learning Center’s first Drexel Teaching Academy, a 10-week program designed to develop pedagogical experts across the University and foster an interdisciplinary community among faculty who already hold this expertise.
- April 29, 2020
  
  For 100 years, Drexel has equipped students for the real world through our renowned cooperative education program, also known as Co-op. Drexel’s Co-op program provides students with up to 18 months of real-world work experience with industry leaders. This allows students to test-drive careers and see firsthand how the knowledge they've gained in the classroom can be applied in the field, while building an impressive résumé before graduation.
- April 29, 2020
  Lee Hoffman, PhD, is an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Chemistry at 91��Ƭ��. He is heavily involved with the general chemistry course sequence for both chemistry and non-chemistry science majors, including students from the Honors College, as well as with coordination and instruction of CHEM 425 (inorganic chem lab for graduating chemistry majors).
- April 29, 2020
  91��Ƭ��’s Science in Motion (SIM) program is an innovative, basic education/higher education partnership, funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 2000, that provides equipment and materials for high school and middle school chemistry classes.
- April 03, 2020
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
- October 31, 2019
  In celebration of both the International Year of the Periodic Table in 2019 and National Chemistry Week, students from two chemistry organizations unfurled a 100-foot-tall, 135-foot-wide handmade periodic table on Buckley Field.
- October 21, 2019
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
- October 18, 2019
  Explore creativity in research, the history of the Earth, globalization and more in these new and noteworthy winter courses!
- August 13, 2019
  An interdisciplinary team led by Chemistry Department Head Fraser Fleming, PhD, will use a $500K grant from the National Science Foundation to develop an innovative, interdisciplinary graduate minor.
- August 13, 2019
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
- July 23, 2019
  
  Drexel students now have access to a one-stop shop for academic support with Drexel’s new Writing and Tutoring Centers! In May, several of Drexel’s academic tutoring centers moved to the Korman Center, co-locating to support student academic success. Read on to learn more about these resources — and how you can take advantage of them!
- June 03, 2019
  In response to a previous article about the "hidden treasure" that is the University's observatory, an alumnus and current Drexel assistant clinical professor reminisced about what it was like being the vice president of Drexel's Astronomy Society when he was a chemistry major here at Drexel before graduating in the ’70s.
- May 23, 2019
  We are pleased to recognize the following College of Arts and Sciences students who have received university-wide awards.
- May 23, 2019
  Ezra Wood, PhD, associate professor of chemistry, and his research group are part of a multi-year project studying the atmospheric chemistry of smoke from forest fires. Wood shares some background information and updates on the project.
- May 21, 2019
  The mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University could not be accomplished without the dedication and support of our faculty members. It is their pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and scholarship that reinforces our position as a modern liberal arts college, and enhances our University’s reputation as a world-class research institution.
- April 01, 2019
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
- March 11, 2019
  The College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of two new associate deans in graduate education and research.
- March 05, 2019
  Sure, you could complete your whole degree in Philadelphia, but why not take advantage of Drexel opportunities around the globe? With gorgeous photos, insider tips and stories from international locales, 10 College of Arts and Sciences students share the best place their major has taken them.
- February 05, 2019
  When it comes to life after graduation, there are many exciting decisions to consider, from choosing where to put down roots, to applying for jobs and determining if graduate or professional school is right for you.
- January 25, 2019
  Kiana Williams has conducted research on cancer-causing enzyme misregulation, engaged patients in programming at a children’s hospital, and cared for infants with severe medical conditions. A mentor to underprivileged middle school students, Williams is a strong believer in inspiring people to work together — a motivation that underlies her goal of becoming a medical doctor.
- January 03, 2019
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of the members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
- October 22, 2018
  In May of 2017, Ezra Wood, PhD, associate professor of chemistry, and a group of researchers deployed a large suite of analytical instrumentation to several sites in and near San Antonio, Texas. Their goal was to investigate the formation of ozone, also known as photochemical smog.
- October 15, 2018
  Explore how natural disasters shape our world, changing perceptions of mental illness, and the effects of social movements on theories of democracy in these new and noteworthy winter courses.
- September 24, 2018
  
  We are pleased to recognize the recent grants, publications, presentations, awards and honors of members of the College of Arts and Sciences.
- August 10, 2018
  Two 91��Ƭ�� faculty members from different disciplines have come together to provide a unique opportunity for graduate students: learn how to flex their creative muscles.
- August 06, 2018
  Drexel President John Fry recently stopped by a classroom with student and community learners, as well as visiting Mandela Fellows, to discuss his views and efforts with civic engagement.
- May 22, 2018
  The mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University could not be accomplished without the dedication and support of our faculty members. It is their pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and scholarship that reinforces our position as a modern liberal arts college, and enhances our University’s reputation as a world-class research institution.
- May 09, 2018
  Despite decades of indoor smoking bans and restrictions, new research from 91��Ƭ�� suggests the toxins we’ve been trying to keep out are still finding their way into the air inside. Findings by a group of environmental engineers show that third-hand smoke, the chemical residue from cigarette smoke that attaches to anything and anyone in the vicinity of a smoke cloud, can make its way into the air and circulate through buildings where no one is smoking.
- April 25, 2018
  Last term, a class of students in the Pennoni Honors College learned about the inner workings of three different 91��Ƭ�� publications — and got to contribute to them.
- April 02, 2018
  Despite the widespread availability of pharmaceutical drugs, many of us know little about how they are created. Senior chemistry major Matthew Levine shares an inside view of the drug development process from his two co-ops at global pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.
- March 22, 2018
  Mario Scotto Di Vetta is using his co-op opportunities to travel around the country and dig up some dirt on his future career opportunities.
- March 22, 2018
  Drexel students join with other university students and industry professionals to help promote science among the youth of the Philadelphia area.
- February 01, 2018
  A self-proclaimed "scientific vagabond," Jeremiah Scepaniak, PhD, assistant professor of chemistry, joined Drexel after completing postdoctoral research in Germany, and hopes to build scientific literacy in his students.
- November 08, 2017
  It was 4 a.m. when Drexel Chemistry student Victoria Smith stepped off the plane in Banjul, the capital city of the Gambia. The lights in the terminal flickered and then shut off completely. Two minutes of complete darkness passed before the generator kicked on.
- November 07, 2017
  How does gender affect the formation of knowledge? How can physics bridge communities? Discuss sociological contexts of global health, modern implications of Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy and more in these new and noteworthy winter courses.
- June 26, 2017
  The mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University could not be accomplished without the dedication and support of our faculty members. It is their pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and scholarship that reinforces our position as a modern liberal arts college, and enhances our University’s reputation as a world-class research institution.
- June 06, 2017
  From the age of three, Ira Taffer knew that he wanted to be a chemist — at least, that’s how his mother tells it. What he may not have known was how big a role Drexel would play in shaping his path. He has been a student, co-op employer, Baiada Institute mentor, advisory board member, Alumni Association chair, and then, coming full circle in 2013, interim head of Drexel’s Department of Chemistry.
- May 29, 2017
  Cynthia Maryanoff, BS ’72 is an organic process chemist, recipient of 2015 Perkin Medal, inventor on 67 U.S. or European patents and a coffee-farm owner.
- May 26, 2017
  
  Monical Ilies, PhD, associate teaching professor in the Department of Chemistry has received the Evidence Based Teaching Award in STEM
- May 25, 2017
  At the annual Faculty Recognition Awards Ceremony on May 24, Drexel acknowledged the faculty and staff members whose scholarship, service and teaching contribute so much to the University and its students.
- February 09, 2017
  Despite a slow down in the number of new natural gas wells in the Marcellus Shale region of Northeast Pennsylvania, new research led by 91��Ƭ�� finds that atmospheric methane levels in the area are still increasing. Measurements of methane and other air pollutants taken three years apart in the rural areas of Pennsylvania that have been the target of natural gas development over the last decade, revealed a substantial increase from 2012 to 2015.
- August 08, 2016
  Designers of solar cells may soon be setting their sights higher, as a discovery by a team of researchers has revealed a class of materials that could be better at converting sunlight into energy than those currently being used in solar arrays. Their research shows how a material can be used to extract power from a small portion of the sunlight spectrum with a conversion efficiency that is above its theoretical maximum — a value called the Shockley-Queisser limit. This finding, which could lead to more power-efficient solar cells, was seeded in a near-half-century old discovery by Russian physicist Vladimir M. Fridkin, PhD, a visiting professor of physics at 91��Ƭ��, who is also known as one of the innovators behind the photocopier.
- May 19, 2015
  A team led by environmental engineers from 91��Ƭ�� are the first independent researchers to take a closer look at the air quality effects of natural gas extraction in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania. The group used a mobile air quality monitoring vehicle to survey regional air quality and pollutant emissions at 13 sites including wells, drilling rigs, compressor stations and processing areas. Their work establishes baseline measurements for this relatively new area of extraction.