The UW Department of Chemistry runs one of the largest chemistry and biochemistryundergraduate degree programin the nation. We also offer a chemistry minor and serve many non-majors, with more than 3,000 undergraduates taking at least one introductorychemistry courseannually. We have the largest undergraduate instructional laboratory program at the UW.
Learn more about our undergraduate programs at the links below:
Story by MEM-C StaffIf this newsletter had a “help wanted” section, it would include a listing: MEM-C needs undergraduate researchers. UW MEM-C (Molecular Engineering Materials Center) is an NSF-funded Materials Research and Engineering Center (MRSEC). For MEM-C’s Director, Prof. Daniel Gamelin, the task of getting undergrads involved in research is personal. “I was incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to participate in an NSF-sponsored research experience…
Nine of the twelve Levinson Emerging Scholars for this academic year are affiliated with the Department of Chemistry, either as biochemistry or chemistry majors, or as students conducting research with faculty in the Department of Chemistry. We are so proud!Meet the Levinson Scholars.The Levinson Emerging Scholars Program supports promising UW students pursuing creative and advanced research projects in biosciences and related fields.We thank Art (UW ’72) and Rita Levinson and the Office of…
We are incredibly proud that eight of the ten WRF Fellowship recipients are affiliated with the Department of Chemistry, either as biochemistry or chemistry majors, or as students conducting research with faculty in the Department of Chemistry.Please take some time to Meet the Fellows.The Washington Research Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Undergraduates Program supports promising undergraduate students working on sophisticated research projects in the biosciences and related fields. The…
Dr. Kroll joined the UW Chemistry faculty in September 2024. With his first year as a Husky in the books, we took the opportunity to get to know him.
Early Life and Education
Alec grew up in the small town of Drummond, Montana. If you blink on your drive down I-90, you’ll miss the exit. During his summers he did yard work, worked construction with his father, and later worked with the janitorial staff at the local high school. It was in this small town that he learned the value and importance…
The following undergraduate awards are bestowed on the top students in the year-long series of physical chemistry courses, honors organic chemistry courses, and honors general chemistry courses. Each $500 award is made possible through individual philanthropy supporting undergraduate study in the Department of Chemistry. These awards were disbursed in summer 2025 for the 2024-25 academic year.P. C. CROSS AWARDThis award, funded by the Paul C. Cross Endowed Fund, is bestowed on the top students…
In the Department of Chemistry, we believe that diversity and inclusivity are integral to excellence and acknowledge that important work is being done by our students and postdoctoral researchers in this space. It is a pleasure to introduce the recent recipients of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Awards, selected by the Chemistry Diversity and Equity Steering Committee. These awards of $500 were supported by the Martin P. Gouterman Endowed Fund in honor of Professor Gouterman’s…
by Victoria Pang ‘25
About Jennifer
Moving to the United States from Korea during adolescence, Jennifer Chun is now a senior at the University of Washington, pursuing a degree in biochemistry with a minor in chemistry. To Jennifer, her interest in pursuing drug development was inspired by her desire to help others. While she has debated pursuing other routes in healthcare, she ultimately decided to pursue research as it provides a more far-reaching, large-scale chance of helping the…
The Distinguished Research Awards honor graduating seniors for excellence in undergraduate research while maintaining an exceptional academic record. This year, thirteen students majoring in chemistry or biochemistry received the award: five conducted research with faculty in the Department of Chemistry and were supported by the Donald J. Hanahan Endowed Scholarship in Chemistry or Biochemistry and the Rex and Ruth Robinson Scholarship in Chemistry; eight conducted research with faculty in the…
by Victoria Pang '25
Throughout her life, Sara Bohra has moved to many places due to her parents’ jobs: jumping from Texas to Indonesia, Australia to New Jersey, and finally landing in Seattle to pursue a degree in biochemistry with a minor in French.
Sara is a senior on the pre-health track, hoping to one day attend medical school. While she acknowledges that many pre-medical students pursue research to simply “tick off a box,” she stresses that her participation in…
We are pleased to introduce you to our undergraduate students supported by departmental scholarships and book awards!
Theodore R. Beck Endowed Scholarship
Sophia Arons is a graduating senior pursuing dual degrees in chemistry and biochemistry. In the lab of Professor Justin Kollman, she investigates PRPS1, an enzyme that catalyzes a rate limiting step in the nucleotide biosynthesis pathway. Her current project explores how PRPS1 mutations in patients with acute lymphoblastic…
