Cal State LA’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry welcomed students, faculty, and guests to the 30th Annual Lloyd N. Ferguson Distinguished Lecture on Feb. 13, 2026, honoring the enduring legacy of one of the university’s most influential educators while also looking ahead to the future of student preparation in the sciences.
Held in the Golden Eagle Ballroom, the annual event paid tribute to Dr. Lloyd N. Ferguson, emeritus professor of chemistry, whose impact as a scientist, educator, and mentor continues to shape generations of students. Ferguson was widely recognized for his scholarship, leadership in chemical education, and commitment to expanding opportunities for students from historically underrepresented communities.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Krishna Foster, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, used the occasion to underscore the department’s growing focus on career readiness and student success.
Foster shared that the department has been working for the past 18 months to critically examine its curriculum and teaching practices to ensure students are being prepared not only with strong scientific knowledge, but also with the broader skills employers are seeking. She pointed to communication, critical thinking, teamwork, professionalism, leadership, self-reflection, and equity and inclusion as key areas the department is intentionally weaving into its approach.
“We’re doing the same thing we’ve always been doing, but intentionally trying to make it career engaged,” Foster said.
Foster also highlighted new efforts tied to that initiative, including two first-time student networking sessions with featured speaker Dr. Stephen L. Mayo, designed to give students direct access to professional insight and mentorship. She also announced that the department is establishing a community advisory board of professionals to help ensure students are well prepared for the workforce.
The event’s featured speaker, Dr. Stephen L. Mayo, Bren Professor of Chemistry and Biology and Merkin Institute Professor at the California Institute of Technology, delivered the lecture “Biotech Entrepreneurship: A Personal Journey Bridging Academic and Industry.” Mayo brought a perspective that aligned closely with the department’s emphasis on connecting academic training to professional pathways in science and industry. His presentation highlighted the intersections of scientific discovery, innovation, and entrepreneurship, offering attendees insight into how research can move from the academic setting into real-world application.
As the department marked the 30th year of the distinguished lecture, the event served as both a celebration of Ferguson’s legacy and a statement of purpose for the future: preparing students to thrive in the careers that follow.