LSU Department of Chemistry

#LSUChemistry Prof. Amy Xu & grad student Sulo Ekanayaka created an eco-friendly spray additive that helps agrochemicals stick to waxy crops like corn & rice, boosting retention, reducing runoff & environmental impact. 🌱 bit.ly/44r97jl #LSUInnovation

US must support chemistry research

🚨 A new Science commentary co-authored by #LSUChemistry Chair John Pojman warns declining federal support for chemistry research threatens U.S. breakthroughs & global leadership in medicine, energy & sustainability. bit.ly/3ZGzKzv

In CHEM 7780, taught by Prof. Amy Xu, students skipped the final exam and pitched biotech startups instead. One team, BioSpecific Innovations, targets cancer with BiTEs in a mock pitch. Starting next year, undergrads can join the innovation in CHEM 4013! bit.ly/4mTjmWn

Congrats to Prof. Noémie Elgrishi on the 2025 Carruth McGehee Award for Excellent Research! Honored for her 2024 Chemical Communications paper on a recyclable metal-organic cage that removes PFOS—tackling PFAS pollution with sustainable solutions. bit.ly/3RRzbOW

Congrats to Prof. Revati Kumar on receiving a 2025 LSU Alumni Association Faculty Excellence Award! A leader in computational chemistry, her work advances innovations in batteries, fuel cells & more. bit.ly/3RRzbOW

Building all-carbon quaternary centers is a major challenge in organic chemistry, crucial for drug & material innovation. A new review by the Rivas Group highlights recent advances in light-driven and dual catalysis strategies. bit.ly/3SetBX5

We’re so proud of our graduates who crossed the stage on Friday, and we wish you all the best in your next chapter! You’ll always be part of the #LSUChemistry family. 🎓💜💛

#LSUChemistry chemists are uncovering how nature efficiently converts nitrogen gas into ammonia. They aim to unravel the inner workings of nitrogenase, a natural enzyme, paving the way for cleaner, more energy-efficient alternatives to traditional fertilizer production. bit.ly/3S3Eb3d

Congrats to #LSUChemistry students Claire Matherne and Ayesha Weerakoon on placing 2nd and 3rd in the 2025 LSU Discover Day STEM Disciplines Poster Competition!
🥈- 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲, Elrishi Research Group
🥉- 𝗔𝘆𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗼𝗼𝗻, Zhang Research Group

Congrats to Prof. Sviatoslav Baranets on receiving the @lsuscience.bsky.social Non-Tenured Faculty Research Award! He’s led cutting-edge research on semiconducting oxypnictides and received NSF CAREER & Powe Awards. He also revived the regional Chemistry Olympiad! bit.ly/3RRzbOW

Congrats to Prof. Daniel Kuroda on receiving the @lsuscience.bsky.social Socolofsky Award for Teaching Excellence! He transforms complex topics from general chemistry to chemical thermodynamics with demos, real-world examples, & active learning that engages students. bit.ly/3RRzbOW

Congrats to #LSUChemistry grad student Natalie Stewart, who conducts research in the Chambers and Elgrishi labs, for receiving an #NSF #GRFP Honorable Mention for her work targeting "forever chemicals." Learn more about her approach and future goals: bit.ly/3GOJBwh

Congratulations to Prof. John Pojman, Chair of #LSUChemistry, on being elected a 2024 @aaas Fellow! Honored for his pioneering work in polymer chemistry and innovations ranging from 3D tumor testing to feral pig control. bit.ly/4caDXAi #GeauxScience

Congrats to #LSUChemistry Prof. Les Butler on being named a 2024 AAAS Fellow! Honored for his groundbreaking work in solid-state NMR & X-ray interferometry. With over 40+ years at #LSU, he’s advanced imaging tech from plant roots to cancer detection. bit.ly/3QW4xDz

Congratulations to #LSUChemistry graduate student Alexandra Van Alstine for successfully defending her #PhD dissertation. Alexandra conducted research under the guidance of Prof. Matthew Chambers.

Congratulations to #LSUChemistry graduate student Blessing Chisom Egbejiogu for successfully defending her doctoral dissertation. Blessing conducted research under the guidance of Prof. Kermit Murray.

Grad student Jake Barras from the Rivas Research Team is developing a natural product-based drug discovery system to potentially treat obesity, diabetes & heart disease. Support students like Jake by giving to the #LSChemistry Development Fund today! 🔗 bit.ly/4kuXuiV #LSUGivingDay25

𝗪𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝗜𝘁, 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝘁!! 🎉 Thanks to your generosity, we REACHED our Giving Day Goal of 20 gifts! But our work continues, and we still need your support! There’s still time to #GeauxGive 🔗 bit.ly/4kuXuiV

Asst. Prof. Fatima Rivas & her team are exploring how natural products can combat metabolic syndrome & obesity—both linked to cancer risk. Your #LSUGivingDay25 gift to the #LSUChemistry Development Fund supports teams dedicated to improving human health. 🔗 bit.ly/4kuXuiV

Meet Kendall Powell, a grad student in the Rivera group developing new antibiotics for chronic infections. Support students like Kendall with a gift to the #LSUChemistry Development Fund & help shape future scientific leaders!
🔗 bit.ly/4kuXuiV #LSUGivingDay25

Help us reach our goal of 20 gifts and make a lasting impact on #LSUChemistry! Your support fuels innovation, research, and student success. Every gift counts—let’s build winning teams together! Give today! 🔗 bit.ly/4kuXuiV #LSUGivingDay25

At #LSUChemistry, We Build Teams that Win! From drug discovery to advanced materials, our faculty & students drive innovation. This #LSUGivingDay25, support the LSU Chemistry Development Fund to recruit top talent & fund student conference travel! bit.ly/4kuXuiV

Congratulations to #LSUChemistry graduate student Nathan Mitchell for successfully defending his doctoral dissertation. Nathan conducted research under the guidance of Prof. Noémie Elgrishi.

#LSUChemistry alum Dr. Myron Lard, Prof. Robert Cook & collaborators examine the environmental impact of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, OH. Findings highlight long-term risks, emphasizing the need for ongoing research & remediation. pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Congrats to #LSUChemistry Asst. Prof. Víctor García-López for being named a 2025 Thieme Chemistry Journals Award recipient! 🎉 The honor recognizes promising early-career researchers in organic chemistry. Learn more: bit.ly/4hEVuTf

Wishing you a Valentine’s Day filled with love—and a little science! 💕

LSU Chemistry graduate Student Khaleda Chowdhury Rinee

The Xu research group investigated how nanoparticle morphology in aluminum adjuvants (AH & AP) affects antigen retention & release using SAXS & SANS. Their findings offer new insights for optimizing vaccine formulations. 💉🔬 Read more: doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126813

Planting Seeds of Hope Former LSU football standout and ESPN celebrity Ryan Clark will serve as the host for the second “Planting Seeds of Hope” event, an inspirational program on the power of hope and normalizing the conversations around mental health. Presented by the Rain Will Bring Flowers Foundation, The Joe Burrow Foundation, The National L Club, and Our Lady of the Lake Health, “Planting Seeds of Hope” is a free event open to the public beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. A tabling event will occur on the concourse of the Maravich Center beginning at 5 p.m. and running until the start of the main event at 6 p.m. Over 30 campus, community and national mental health resources will be available to assist in providing real-time access to local resources and support and foster connections to those working in the mental health space. The main event begins at 6 p.m. with Clark serving as the moderator for a panel that includes former LSU football standout and current Los Angeles Charger DJ Chark, Emma Benoit (Documentary: My Ascension), Dr. Ray Tucker (LSU Associate Professor of Psychology; Clinical Assistant Professor LSUHSC/OLOL & Director of the National Suicide Training Center (NSTC); and Sherrard Crespo (LCSW & VP of External Affairs at VIA LINK, a 988 contact center for Louisiana). The first 1,000 attendees to arrive on Wednesday, Feb. 12 will receive free Raising Canes, courtesy of the Joe Burrow Foundation. Coca-Cola will provide the drinks for the event.

Hey Tigers. Your mental health matters.

The second Planting Seeds of Hope event is this Wednesday in the PMAC at 5 p.m. This free event is open to the public!

Learn more: https://calendar.lsu.edu/event/planting-seeds-of-hope

#LSUChemistry Asst Prof Amy Xu received an #NSF CAREER Award for her research on protein-polysaccharide interactions in plant cells. Discover how Prof. Xu's project could help develop sustainable agricultural practices and address global food security challenges.🌱 bit.ly/4gmWWbj

Additive manufacturing enables on-demand production but poses supply chain security risks, like counterfeiting. In a new paper, Prof. Les Butler & team present innovative methods to embed digital codes in components, enhancing authenticity. www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-87215-0