Join the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department Seminar Series on Tuesdays at 12:00PM at Salazar Hall 136 to learn more about advances in research within the molecular sciences.
Seminars are presented by graduate students and guest speakers who share their research within the chemistry and biochemistry fields such as analytical, biochemical, educational, inorganic, organic and physical. Below is the schedule of seminars for FALL 2024. For more information, please contact Dr. Hayes at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!
SPRING 2025 GRADUATE SEMINAR SCHEDULE
Seminar Title: New Catalytic Mechanisms for Activating Strong Bonds in Renewable Feedstocks
Speaker: Long Qi
Date and Time: January 28, 2025 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Pingyun Feng
Date and Time: February 11, 2025 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: A Curious Mind and the Wonders Behind the NUmber 5
Speaker: Davita Watkins
Date and Time: February 20, 2025 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Clement Cid
Date and Time: March 4, 2025 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Lauren D. Hagler
Date and Time: March 11, 2025 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Chung-Wei Kung
Date and Time: March 18, 2025 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Meng Chen
Date and Time: March 25, 2025 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Jennifer Lee
Date and Time: April 15, 2025 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Elias Picazo
Date and Time: April 22, 2025 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: Development of Photosensitizers to Use as Catalysts for Targeting Cancer Cells
Speaker: Christopher Cardona
Date and Time: April 29, 2025 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Samuel Sternberg
Date and Time: May 6, 2025 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Zoom talk; email [email protected] for the Zoom link
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Join the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department Seminar Series on Tuesdays at 12:00PM at Salazar Hall 135 to learn more about advances in research within the molecular sciences.
Seminars are presented by graduate students and guest speakers who share their research within the chemistry and biochemistry fields such as analytical, biochemical, educational, inorganic, organic and physical. Below is the schedule of seminars for FALL 2024. For more information, please contact Dr. Hayes at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!
FALL 2024 GRADUATE SEMINAR SCHEDULE
Seminar Title: Defining the Pathways of Eukaryotic Translational Quality Control
Speaker: Michael Lawson
Date and Time: August 27, 2024 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 135
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Seminar Title: Designing Peptidic Materials as Transducer Biointerfaces
Speaker: Dr. Herdeline Ardona
Date and Time: September 3, 2024 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 135
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Seminar Title: Synthesis of Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) Dendrimers Encapsulating Therapeutic Molecules as Anticancer Drugs
Speaker: Isabel Amanda Garcia
Date and Time: September 10, 2024 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 135
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Seminar Title: Porous Organic Formations and their use as Chiral Stationary Phases
Speaker: Josue Martinez
Date and Time: September 17, 2024 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 135
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Seminar Title: Hydrogen-Atom Transfer at Metal-Organic Framework-Liquid Interfaces
Speaker: Dr. Hyunho Noh
Date and Time: October 1, 2024 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 135
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Seminar Title: Wearable Devices for Continuous Monitoring of Neuroactive Compounds
Speaker: Christopher Marotta
Date and Time: October 8, 2024 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 135
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Seminar Title: TBD
Speaker: Maxx Q Arguilla
Date and Time: October 22, 2024 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 135
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Seminar Title: TBD
Speaker: Salvador Romero
Date and Time: November 5, 2024 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 135
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Seminar Title: TBD
Speaker: Shams Tayyab
Date and Time: November 12, 2024 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 135
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Seminar Title: TBD
Speaker: Long Qi
Date and Time: November 19, 2024 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 135
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Seminar Title: TBD
Speaker: Ananya Sharma
Date and Time: December 3, 2024 from 12pm-1pm
Location: Salazar Hall 135
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Join the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department Seminar Series on Tuesdays at 12:00PM at King Hall B2005 to learn more about advances in research within the molecular sciences.
Seminars are presented by graduate students and guest speakers who share their research within the chemistry and biochemistry fields such as analytical, biochemical, educational, inorganic, organic and physical. Below is the schedule of seminars for SPRING 2024. For more information, please contact Dr. Hayes at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!
SPRING 2024 GRADUATE SEMINAR SCHEDULE
Seminar Title: Fe-Fe Hydrogenase Mimics and Their Potential for Hydrogen Energy
Speaker: Tristan D. Pyle
Date and Time: Feb. 6, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
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Seminar Title: Analyzing Volatile Organic Compounds Using Selected-Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry
Speaker: Hung Phat Gieng
Date and Time: Feb. 13, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
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Seminar Title: Alkyne Hydrogenation by Metal Complexes: Selectivity and Mechanism
Speaker: Nicole Salimbangon
Date and Time: Feb. 20, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
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Seminar Title: Biologically Inspired Catalytic Systems for Solar-to-Fuel Technologies
Speaker: Smaranda Marinescu
Date and Time: Feb. 27, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Matthew Tang
Date and Time: March 5, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
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Seminar Title: The Chemistry that Killed the 747 and How it Got Me Bitten by a Shark
Speaker: Travis J. Williams
Date and Time: March 12, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
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Seminar Title: Fantastic ML x Biology Problems and Where to Find Them
Speaker: Simon Kohl
Date and Time: March 19, 2024
Location: Virtual Presentation; Zoom link will be sent through e-mail.
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Jimmy Chan
Date and Time: April 9, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Pavithra Wijeratne
Date and Time: April 11, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
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Seminar Title: Nanotechnology approaches for engineering and understanding photosynthetic organisms
Speaker: Juan Pablo Giraldo
Date and Time: April 16, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
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Seminar Title: Model metalloenzymes to catalyze the reactions of early life
Speaker: Hannah Shafaat
Date and Time: April 23, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
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Seminar Title: Recent Advances in Umpolung Chemistry
Speaker: Jesus Corona
Date and Time: April 30, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
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Seminar Title: Metal-catalyzed hydrocyanation of alkenes
Speaker: Jyotika Patel
Date and Time: May 7, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
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Seminar Title: Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry Coupled with Ion Conductance Microscopy
Speaker: Lane Baker
Date and Time: May 14, 2024
Location: King Hall B2005
Join the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department Seminar Series on Tuesdays at 12:00PM to learn more about advances in research within the molecular sciences.
Seminars are presented by graduate students and guest speakers who share their research within the chemistry and biochemistry fields such as analytical, biochemical, educational, inorganic, organic and physical. Below is the schedule of seminars for FALL 2023. For more information, please contact Dr. Hayes at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!
FALL 2023 GRADUATE SEMINAR SCHEDULE
Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Matthew Tang
Date and Time: Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: Advances in Hydroformylation at an Industrial Scale
Speaker: Alexandra Hernandez
Date and Time: Tuesday, September 5, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms of Ribosomes
Speaker: Alfredo Jimenez-Salinas
Date and Time: Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Kevin Diego-Perez
Date and Time: Tuesday, September 19, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Shengqian Ma from University of North Texas
Date and Time: Tuesday, September 26, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: Biopolymer-based Active Film Material for Food Packaging Applications (CANCELLED)
Speaker: Jyotikaben Patel
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: Continuous Monitoring of Diabetic Ketoacidosis Using Wearable Electrochemical Sensor in Sweat
Speaker: Tony Tran
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 10, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Puron Rahman
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: Deciphering the Mechanisms of CRISPR/Cas9 Off-Target Mismatch Tolerance via Molecular Dynamics Simulations and X-Ray Crystal Structure Analysis
Speaker: Larry Rodriguez
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: Decoding Death: Advancements in Forensic Chemistry and Separations Science for Characterizing Decomposition Odor, Direct Analysis of Bodily Fluids, and Collection and Analysis of Burnt Remains
Speaker: Genesis Barzallo
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 31, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: TBA
Speaker: Khoa Tran
Date and Time: Tuesday, November 7, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: Mesoporous silica nanoparticle for drug delivery purpose
Speaker: Kam Hang Chan
Date and Time: Tuesday, November 14, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: Computational Chemistry Advances of MOF Development
Speaker: Reid Athmer
Date and Time: Tuesday, November 28, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
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Seminar Title: Improvement of Photosynthesis Efficiency to Increase Crop Productivity Through Genetic Manipulation
Speaker: Elmer Ventura
Date and Time: Tuesday, December 5, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 136
Join the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department Seminar Series on Tuesdays at 12:00PM to learn more about advances in research within the molecular sciences.
Seminars are presented by graduate students and guest speakers who share their research within the chemistry and biochemistry fields such as analytical, biochemical, educational, inorganic, organic and physical. Below is the schedule of seminars for SPRING 2023. Contact Dr. Michael Hayes if you wish to attend at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!
PREVIOUS SPRING 2023 SEMINARS
Seminar Title: Characterization of atmospheric organoflourine compounds by spectroscopic techniques
Speaker: Karen Le Bris
Date and Time: Tuesday, January 31, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
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Seminar Title: Developments in tumor-selective Flouresence-guided surgery drugs for clinical treatment of cancer
Speaker: Karen "Stephanie" Lemus
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 14, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
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Seminar Title: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon sorption on Microplastics
Speaker: Jennifer Galvez
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 21, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
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Seminar Title: Carbon monoxide to light olefinds with High Selectivity
Speaker: Zhengxu Li
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 28, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
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Seminar Title: Investigating the Structure-Activity Relationships of Substituted Tryptamine Derivatives and Their Role as Antidepressants
Speaker: Erick Avila
Date and Time: Tuesday, March 7, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
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Seminar Title: To Be Announced (EVENT CANCELLED)
Speaker: Alfredo Jimenez-Salinas
Date and Time: Tuesday, March 14, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
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Seminar Title: To Be Announced
Speaker: Alexandra Hernandez
Date and Time: Tuesday, March 21, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
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Seminar Title: Creating value from CO2: The development of sorption-enhanced catalysts to promote a circular carbon economy
Speaker: Kandis Leslie Abdul-Aziz
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 4, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
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Seminar Title: Insights into the molecular mechanisms of ribosomes
Speaker: Alfredo Jimenez Salinas
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 18, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
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Seminar Title: Reveling complexities of the electrode-electrolyte interface using vibrational spectroscopy
Speaker: Prof. Jahan Dawlaty
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 25, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
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Seminar Title: Illuminating compartmentalized metabolic signaling in single cells
Speaker: Prof. Danielle Schmitt
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
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Seminar Title: The Role of Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in Non-equilibrium Chemistry in the Self-assembly of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers
Speaker: Prof. Joe Patterson
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 9, 2023, from 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: Salazar Hall 240
Join the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department Seminar Series on Tuesdays at 12:00PM to learn more about advances in research within the molecular sciences.
Seminars are presented by graduate students and guest speakers who share their research within the chemistry and biochemistry fields such as analytical, biochemical, educational, inorganic, organic and physical. Below is the schedule of seminars for FALL 2022. Please email Dr. Michael Hayes if you wish to attend at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!
PREVIOUS FALL 2022 SEMINARS
Seminar Title: "Permeability of the Brain Barrier" by Hannah Tjitradjaja
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 from 12pm-1pm
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Seminar Title: "From Remdesivir (Veklury), (-) -Paviodolide B to Clopidogrel (Plavix), Translational and Integrative OrgSyn, MedChem and ChemBio Studies for Medicine, Science, and Humanity" by Professor Yaoqiu Zhu. For more information on Prof. Zhu, visit The Zhu Lab.
Date and Time: September 27, 2022 from 12pm-1pm
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Seminar Title: "Developments in tumor- selective Fluorescence-guided drugs for clinical treatment of cancer" by Karen "Stephanie" Lemus
Date and Time: September 20, 2022 from 12pm-1pm
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Seminar Title: "The Optimization of Hajos-Parrish-Eder-Sauer-Wiechert Reaction" by Andrew Yoon
Date and Time: September 6, 2022 from 12pm-1pm
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Seminar Title: "Electrochemical C02 Capture, Concentration, and Conversion" by Dr. Jenny Yang
Date and Time: August 30, 2022 from 12pm-1pm
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Seminar Title: "Fibril Assemblies of Dipeptides" by Angel Arrendondo
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 12pm-1pm
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Seminar Title: CO/CO2 Hydrogenation to Chemicals with High Selectivity by Zhengxu Li
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 25, 2022 from 12pm-1pm (EVENT CANCELLED)
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Seminar Title: "Investigating the Structure-Activity Relationships of Substituted Tryptamine Derivates" by Erick Avila
Date and Time: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 from 12pm-1pm (EVENT CANCELLED)
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Seminar Title: "Synthesis of Tradition Chinese Medicine Molecules" by Rhemrose Sabio
Date and Time: Tuesday, November 8, 2022 from 12pm-1pm
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Seminar Title: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon sorption on Microplastics by Jennifer Galvez
Date and Time: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 from 12pm-1pm
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Seminar Title: "Understanding Functions of Histone Deacetylase 11 (HDAC 11): De-acetylation of Fatty Acids" by Eduardo Cardenas
Date and Time: Tuesday, November 29, 2022 from 12pm-1pm
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Seminar Title: TBA
Date and Time: Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 12pm-1pm
Department Celebrations
Lloyd N. Ferguson (1918-2011) was a Cal State LA Emeritus and Professor of Chemistry. Dr. Ferguson received a bachelor's degree with honors and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of California, Berkeley. He dedicated 21 years with the Department of Chemistry at Cal State LA after a distinguished 20-year career in the Chemistry Department at Howard University, where his achievements included the establishment of the first Ph.D. program in Chemistry at a Historically Black College or University.
Dr. Ferguson has a world-wide reputation as a scientist and educator. He authored more than 50 journal articles and seven textbooks. His research spanned the areas of cancer chemotherapy, the relationship between structure and biological activity, and the functioning of our sense of taste.
Dr. Ferguson was chairman of the American Chemical Society's Division of Chemical Education and served as Director of Cal State LA's MBRS program from its inception in 1973 through 1984. He was the program director for many NSF teaching and research participation programs. He received many honors including a number of honorary doctorates, the California State University Statewide Outstanding Professor Award, the Chemical Manufacturers Association Award in Chemical Education, and the American Chemical Society Award in Chemical Education.
Dr. Ferguson served as a role model for hundreds of minority students who have gone on to careers in science and technology. He was a good friend and mentor to his Cal State LA colleagues and helped put the university on the map. His greatest legacy is the generations of students that benefited from his teaching and participation in the MBRS program. He inspired hundreds of our students to initiate careers such as college professors, research scientists, and health professionals. MBRS became part of the MORE Programs at Cal State LA that continue his work today.
Dr. Ferguson's legacy is celebrated annually at Cal State LA. This year's distinguished keynote speaker is Dr. Krishna Foster, Professor and current Department Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Cal State LA. Dr. Foster's research interests include determining the role of polycyclic aromatic compounds on the oxidizing capacity of the lower atmosphere, identifying reduced phosphorous materials in natural environments, and chemical education. She also actively explores innovative pedagogical techniques to develop inquisitive students with refined problem-solving skills who will become leaders in their chosen professions, as extended in her distinguished lecture entitled "Community-Centered Science."
Dr. James Rosser, former Cal State LA President, has joined us in celebration of Dr. Ferguson's legacy.
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry students:
Dr. Costello Brown, former Cal State LA Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor, presented with an award of excellence:
Dr. James Rosser is presented with an award of excellence:
Dr. Caitlin Scott, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry:
NSS Dean, Dr. Rene Vellanoweth:
Dr. Robert Vellanoweth introducing Dr. Krishna Foster:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty, staff, and Emeriti faculty:
Every year we are joined by the Ferguson family:
On December 13, 2024, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry celebrated Dr. Harold Goldwhite, who has dedicated over 60 years of his professional career at Cal State LA's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He taught general and inorganic chemistry and chemical history, and has authored and co-authored several books, and countless articles. During his tenure at Cal State LA, Dr. Goldwhite was department chair, chair at the Academic Senate at Cal State LA and the CSU system, and a Faculty Trustee. He is also recognized as Outstanding Professor at Cal State LA and as Trustees' Outstanding Professor in the Cal State University System.
Dr. Harold Goldwhite is presented the California State University Distinguished Emeritus Professor for his service at Cal State LA:
Dr. Goldwhite photographed with former student, Dr. Millhauser:
Dr. Goldwhite with department faculty:
Dr. Goldwhite joined by his family:
Lloyd N. Ferguson (1918-2011) was a Cal State LA Emeritus and Professor of Chemistry. Dr. Ferguson received a bachelor's degree with honors and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of California, Berkeley. He dedicated 21 years with the Department of Chemistry at Cal State LA after a distinguished 20-year career in the Chemistry Department at Howard University, where his achievements included the establishment of the first Ph.D. program in Chemistry at a Historically Black College or University.
Dr. Ferguson has a world-wide reputation as a scientist and educator. He authored more than 50 journal articles and seven textbooks. His research spanned the areas of cancer chemotherapy, the relationship between structure and biological activity, and the functioning of our sense of taste.
Dr. Ferguson was chairman of the American Chemical Society's Division of Chemical Education and served as Director of Cal State LA's MBRS program from its inception in 1973 through 1984. He was the program director for many NSF teaching and research participation programs. He received many honors including a number of honorary doctorates, the California State University Statewide Outstanding Professor Award, the Chemical Manufacturers Association Award in Chemical Education, and the American Chemical Society Award in Chemical Education.
Dr. Ferguson served as a role model for hundreds of minority students who have gone on to careers in science and technology. He was a good friend and mentor to his Cal State LA colleagues and helped put the university on the map. His greatest legacy is the generations of students that benefited from his teaching and participation in the MBRS Program. He inspired hundreds of our students to initiate careers such as college professors, research scientists, and health professionals. MBRS became part of the MORE Programs at Cal State LA that continue his work today.
Dr. Ferguson's legacy is celebrated annually at Cal State LA. This year's distinguished keynote speaker is Dr. Darryl Boyd, a Research Chemist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, whose primary research focuses on the development of novel sulfur-based polymers that have unique optical properties, including unprecendented infrared transmission capabilities. His seminar to Cal State LA students, entitiled "Comonomer Isomers Result in Varied Optical Properties Within ORMOCHALC Polymers," was followed by his distinguished lecture entitled "Be Stellar, Keep Striving."
Ferguson Lecture March 18, 2022
Bill Wimberley's Retirement April 16, 2021
Ferguson Lecture March 26, 2021
Chemistry and Biochemistry Awards Ceremony October 20, 2020
Special Seminar: Andreoli-Woods Lecture
May 7th 12:00pm
Anthony Andreoli-Geraldine Woods Symposium
Our guest speaker will be Professor Joseph S. Francisco from the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts & Sciences
Chemistry and Biochemistry Graduation Celebration May 15, 2020