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Department of Chemistry's 2013 Mid-Year Update

Welcome to the Department of Chemistry's electronic newsletter, Communiqué, with updates on recent happenings in the department.

What's new in the Department of Chemistry

We've had some changes in the Department of Chemistry over the past six months. We are pleased to welcome Renee Frontiera, James Johns, and Ian Tonks to the department as assistant professors. Our Joint Safety Team is making great strides to improve the culture of safety in our department thanks to the outstanding leadership of our graduate students and post doctorates and a partnership with Dow Chemical Company. Check out these stories and other Department of Chemistry news on our website.

Alumni news

The Department of Chemistry is proud of its graduates and the work that they do in the world. Alumni Arthur Coury and Darrel Untereker received the university’s Outstanding Achievement Award this year. Alumnus Andrew Aspaas, a chemistry instructor, received the Educator of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Please send us news about your accomplishments and awards! Information can be sent to Communications Coordinator Eileen Harvala at harva015@umn.edu.

July 18, 2013
 
Journal cover features human enzyme lysine research
Chemical Theory Center research into "Concerted Hydrogen Atom and Electron Transfer Mechanism for Catalysis by Lysine-Specific Demethylase" is featured on the cover of the July 18 edition of The Journal of Physical Chemistry B. Read More

 
June 21, 2013
 
Arriaga receives university grant for mass cytometer
Professor Edgar Arriaga has received a university grant to purchase a mass cytometer to be housed in the Department of Chemistry's Mass Spectrometry Laboratory. Read More

 
June 20, 2013
 
Chemists conduct chemical biology short course
Professor Will Pomerantz, graduate students Andrew Urick and Gabriella Perell, and Heisig/Gleysteen Summer Research Fellow Drew Maurine hosted a chemical biology short course. Read More

 
June 5, 2013
 
Professor Truhlar's 1,000th journal article published
Regents Professor Donald Truhlar's 1,000th journal article has been published. The article, Adsorption on Fe-MOF-74 for C1‚ÄíC3 Hydrocarbon Separation, was co-authored Pragya Verma and Xuefei Xu. Read More

 
April 30, 2013
 
Reactivity potential of metal-organic frameworks
Research from Nanoporous Materials Genome Center focused on the reactivity potential of metal-organic frameworks has been published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Read More

 
April 25, 2013
 
In Memoriam: Rufus Lumry
Rufus Lumry, 92, Department of Chemistry professor emeritus, died on Saturday, March 23, 2013. A celebration of his life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Campus Club, Coffman Memorial Union. Read More

 
April 24, 2013
 
Iron and chromium show close bonding
Researchers teamed up to understand how different first-row transition metals can bond to one another. Their research was highlighted in the May issue of Nature Chemistry. Read More

 
April 18, 2013
 
Cool Chem 2013 engages junior high girls in science
Approximately 70 7th and 8th grade girls will enjoy a day of hands-on chemistry workshops and demonstrations at the 8th annual Cool Chem Day, Saturday, April 27. Read More

 
April 18, 2013
 
Alumnus Andrew Aspaas receives Educator of the Year award
Alumnus Andrew Aspaas, a chemistry instructor at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, has received an Educator of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Read More

 
April 9, 2013
 
Professor Cramer named CSE associate dean
Professor Christopher Cramer has been appointed as the College of Science & Engineering’s new associate dean for academic affairs, effective July 1, 2013. Professor Wayne Gladfelter, who has served as associate dean since 2007, is returning full time to his faculty position. Read More

 
April 2, 2013
 
Connecting Protein Dynamics with Enzyme Catalysis
Published research from Professor Jiali Gao's group looks at connecting protein dynamics with enzyme catalysis—a central question in current enzymology. Read More

 
March 26, 2013
 
New Catalyst for Selective Protein Modification
Researchers in the departments of Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry have recently reported the discovery of a new catalyst for selective protein modification. Read More

 
March 26, 2013
 
In Memoriam: Paul O'Connor
Paul O'Connor, a former professor in the Department of Chemistry, has died. A memorial service will be conducted, Saturday, April 20, 2013. Read More

 
March 14, 2013
 
Chemistry Day at the Bell Museum
Chemistry Makes it Happen . . . at the Bell!, 12:30-2 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at the Bell Museum, features Professor Kenneth Leopold and Graduate Student Stephanie Roe. Read More

 
March 7, 2013
 
New research points the way toward better fuel systems
Research by Regents Professor Donald Truhlar and Postdoctorates Prasenjit Seal and Gbenga Oyedepo is helping with the design of biofuel systems that burn more efficiently and effectively. Read More

 
March 1, 2013
 
Renee Frontiera joins Department of Chemistry faculty
Renee Frontiera, Ph.D., is joining the Department of Chemistry as an assistant professor. Since 2010, Frontiera has been a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern University. Read More

 
March 1, 2013
 
James Johns joins Department of Chemistry faculty
James Johns, Ph.D., is joining the Department of Chemistry as an assistant professor. Since 2011, Johns has been a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern University. Read More

 
January 30, 2013
 
In memoriam: Lester C. Krogh, Ph.D., 1925-2013
Lester Christensen Krogh, Ph.D., a chemical engineer, chemist, and long-time 3M employee who shared his passion for chemistry by endowing two chemistry fellowships, died on Friday, January 25. He was 87. Read More

 
January 16, 2013
 
Ian Tonks joins Department of Chemistry faculty
Ian A. Tonks, Ph.D., is joining the Department of Chemistry as an assistant professor. Since 2012, Tonks has been a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Read More

 
January 7, 2013
 
Energy and U brings 4,500 students to campus, January 14-18
With explosions, flames and rock music, the popular Energy and U program will aim to ignite young people's interest in science, January 14-18. More than 4,500 students are expected at January's Energy and U shows. Read More