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School of Chemical Sciences CORES facilities announcement:

In keeping with the Governor’s “stay at home” order, all SCS CORES Service Facilities will cease in-person operations until the “stay at home” order is lifted. Staff will still be processing data and keeping up with emails while on lockdown so please continue to interact with CORES staff electronically. As essential workers, NMR staff will continue to maintain the liquid nitrogen and helium in the NMR’s. Cell Media will continue to maintain cryostorage. Should there be an emergency need for cell media to maintain essential research please email both Sandy McMasters (smattick@illinois.edu) and Danielle Gray (dgray@illinois.edu) and we will try and accommodate the need.

If you need to contact CORES staff, please see the appropriate CORES facility page for contact information.

SCHOOL News

St. Elmo Brady

St. Elmo Brady was the first African American to earn a PhD in chemistry in the United States. The School of Chemical Sciences, along with the Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Chemistry, celebrated the Designation of an ACS National Historic Chemical Landmark for Dr. Brady on February 5, 2019. Read more about St. Elmo Brady on the Chemistry website and watch the following short video which highlights his accomplishments, including during his time at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Illinois investing in two projects in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is generating new sources of revenue while continuing to invest in education, research, and public engagement. Through the Investment for Growth initiative, 18 projects from colleges and institutes across campus, including four selected in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will receive a total of more than $24 million in funding over a three year period to benefit institutional excellence, education, and research.

Last fall, colleges and institutes were invited to submit project proposals with details on funding models, demand and potential impact. Associate Chancellor and Vice Provost for Budget and Resource Planning Paul Ellinger said criteria included projects focused on continued excellence, financial feasibility, enhancing the student experience, alignment with industry demand, likelihood of stability, and increasing efficiency.

Proposals were evaluated by the Campus Budget Oversight Committee, deans and other senior leadership. Out of 35 proposals, nearly half were chosen for funding. Many of the funded proposals have three-to-five year plans to be profitable, and all solidify Illinois’ commitment to excellence and transformative learning experiences. Ellinger said he is optimistic about their futures.

Two projects in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering will receive funding. A new professional master’s degree in chemical engineering and professional development will combine chemical engineering with a range of topics including financial analysis, leadership, management, and strategic planning. The new degree program will provide a unique learning experience that addresses the intersection of engineering, management, and marketing. Engineers will learn how technical knowledge and business knowledge affect decision-making skills, process benchmarking, and business management.

Peters Organizes Summer Course in India

Baron G. Peters, a William H. and Janet G. Lycan Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, has organized a new course on rare events to be held in Bangalore, India this summer. Read more.

SCS Machine Shop Retirements

Retirees — Mike "Hodge Harland" Dave Hire Tom Wilson

Three longtime members of the SCS Machine Shop will retire at the end of this month, June 2019.
Mike “Hodge” Harland has dedicated over 13 years to the Machine Shop, adding the responsibility of Supervisor for the last 10.
Dave Hire has designed, built, and repaired equipment for researchers for almost 27 years.
Tom Wilson has run the Student Machine Shop for 17 years, providing instruction in the use of machine tools and offering methods and concepts which allows researchers to communicate with machinists.
Hodge, Dave and Tom have served the School, Departments and beyond, day in and day out, with expertise, hard work, creativity and good cheer. Their combined experience of nearly 60 years, just in the in the School of Chemical Sciences, cannot be replaced.

Recipients of 2019 SCS Teaching Awards Announced

Congratulations to all recipients of a 2019 School of Chemical Sciences Teaching Award! This award recognizes teaching excellence in the 2018-19 academic year.

Faculty recipients:

Donald DeCoste, Teaching Associate Professor in Chemistry
Diwakar Shukla, Blue Waters Assistant Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Graduate Student recipients:

          Madeleine Biagioli, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
          Mathew Chan, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
          Laura Daigh, Chemistry
          Reshmi Dani, Chemistry
          Clare Leahy, Chemistry
          Zane Thornburg, Chemistry
          Nicholas Troescher, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
          Dylan Walsh, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

The award recognizes the entire scope of educational efforts, from course development to in-class instruction. Excellence in teaching is not only intellectually satisfying, but instructional efforts immeasurably strengthen our research mission.

Cheryl Kappes

Cheryl Kappes has been recommended by the selection committee and endorsed by Chancellor Robert J. Jones to be a recipient of the 2019 Chancellor’s Distinguished Staff Award. The Chancellor's Distinguished Staff Award is designed to annually recognize Staff employees for their exceptional accomplishments and service to the university. Cheryl received the award for demonstrating excellence in her overall work performance, for promoting positive morale through a congenial, supportive attitude and by providing service to others, and for exhibiting initiative and creativity resulting in improved operating efficiency and an enhanced image of the School of Chemical Sciences and the University of Illinois.

One of Cheryl’s nominators stated that, “Cheryl is the model of an engaged, effective staff person. I particularly note that when action items passed her desk, they were inevitably handled correctly and that the error rate was nonexistent.” Another stated, “Whenever I need something done, Cheryl makes it happen, and she does so with outstanding results and virtually no mistakes. Cheryl solves problems before they arise…and is one of the most amazing staff members I have ever worked with on our campus.”

Cheryl was honored at an Awards Ceremony on May 1, 2019 at the Ikenberry Commons.

CDSA Ceremony Dinner — Pictured: Chancellor Robert J. Jones and Cheryl Kappes

Todd Spinner

Todd Spinner, Academic Advisor for the School of Chemical Sciences, is a 2018-19 LAS Award for Excellence in Academic Advising Recipient. Spinner has served Chemical Sciences as an adviser since 2010. Spinner has implemented several services and programs to assist students and collaborates closely with the departments and LAS to implement time-saving technology and to better track and serve students. Colleagues note that Spinner is committed to being available to his students, and students know him for his friendly and engaging demeanor, along with a thorough knowledge of how he can assist their studies. Read more.

Todd was honored at a ceremony on April 16, 2019, in the Alice Campbell Alumni Center.

Award Picture — Pictured: Paul Kenis, Todd Spinner with family Holly, Mary, and Kaylee Spinner, Patricia Simpson, and Martin Gruebele.

2018 Image Challang Finalists

More School News

11 chemistry students have won National Science Foundation (NSF) graduate research fellowships
Thirty-two University of Illinois students have won National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships including 11 students from the Department of Chemistry. Four of the additional 21 accorded honorable mention are Chemistry students.
Prashant Jain and his colleagues achieve two-electron chemical reactions using light, energy, gold
Professor Prashant Jain and his colleagues report they can use light to drive two-electron chemical reactions, enhancing a method for converting CO2 into hydrocarbons. Read more>>
Study shows how bacteria guide electron flow for efficient energy generation
Researchers Sangjin Hong, Yuhang Wang, Chang Sun, Emad Tajkhorshid and Robert Gennis determined the structure of a supercomplex of enzymes many bacteria use to generate energy. Read the full article.

More News