Department of Chemistry

Lecture Series

The First Year Chemistry Program presents a series of lectures from an eclectic group of speakers ranging from world-class researchers to individuals whose interests span a wide variety of topics on the outskirts of chemistry. The range of topics one finds here is also eclectic; some lectures are among the most important of our day, sometimes the lectures are just for fun.

Support for the lectures has come from:

Drugging Long-Term Memory

Drugging Long-Term Memory

Andrew Kennedy, Ph.D.
April 17, 2023
view the lecture
Nanotechnology, the Laws of Thermodynamics, and the Future of Solar Energy

Nanotechnology, the Laws of Thermodynamics, and the Future of Solar Energy

Dr. Matthew Sheldon, Ph.D.
February 17, 2023
view the lecture
Mechanochemistry: From Antiquity to a Modern Approach for Sustainable Chemical Synthesis

Mechanochemistry: From Antiquity to a Modern Approach for Sustainable Chemical Synthesis

James D. Batteas, Ph. D.
October 14, 2022
view the lecture
Can we Really Capture CO2, Store Heat, and Make Batteries from Salad Dressing?

Can we Really Capture CO2, Store Heat, and Make Batteries from Salad Dressing?

Emily Pentzer, Ph. D.
October 3, 2022
view the lecture
The Science of Cooking: No Surprises... It is Chemistry!'

The Science of Cooking: No Surprises... It is Chemistry!

Rosana G. Moreira, Ph. D., P.E.
February 5, 2020
view the lecture
The Ocean's Periodic Table: Tracing Mysteries of the Sea Using 'Elemental Personalities'

The Ocean's Periodic Table: Tracing Mysteries of the Sea Using 'Elemental Personalities'

Dr. Jessica Fitzsimmons
November 19, 2019
view the lecture
The Future of ther Periodic Table

The Future of the Periodic Table

Prof. Cody Folden
October 18, 2019
view the lecture
Using Nanomaterials to Transform 3D Printing

Using Nanomaterials to Transform 3D Printing

Dr. Micah J. Green
September 12, 2018
view the lecture
The Chemistry of Cooking

The Chemistry of Cooking

Dr. Lesa Tran Lu
March 26, 2018
view the lecture
Harnessing the Power of Plastics in Li-ion Batteries

Harnessing the Power of Plastics in Li-ion Batteries

Dr. Jodie Lutkenhaus
February 19, 2018
view the lecture
Isotopes: The Spatial Fingerprints of Biology on Earth's Chemistry

Isoscapes: The Spatial Fingerprints of Biology on Earth's Chemistry

Dr. Jason B. West
October 23, 2017
view the lecture
Using Geochemistry to Deal with the Fallout in Fukushima

Using Geochemistry to Deal with the Fallout in Fukushima

Dr. Daniel Ferreira
October 20, 2017
view the lecture
350: The Most Important Number in the World

350: The Most Important Number in the World

Mr. Bill McKibben
April 10, 2014
view the lecture
Going After Fluoride Anions in Water

Going After Fluoride Anions in Water: From Drinking Water Analysis to Cancer Imaging

Dr. Francois Gabbai
February 11, 2014
lecture not available
The Chemistry of Cooking: Why Chemists Make the Best Chefs (or should)

The Chemistry of Cooking: Why Chemists Make the Best Chefs (or should)

Dr. Nancy Mills
October 30, 2013
view the lecture
Designing a Sustainable Tomorrow

Designing a Sustainable Tomorrow

Dr. Paul Anastas
October 7, 2013
view the lecture
SpongeBob, Caner, and Molecular Engineering

SpongeBob, Cancer, and Molecular Engineering

Dr. Daniel Romo
April 15, 2013
view the lecture
Hydrogen to Copernicium: The World of Chemistry

Hydrogen to Copernicium: The World of Chemistry on Stamps

Dr. Daniel Rabinovich
April 16, 2012
view the lecture
Chemistry and the Greehouse Effect in Climate Science

Chemistry and the Greehouse Effect in Climate Science

Dr. Gerald R. North
February 21, 2012
view the lecture
Can Science Shape Art or Art Shape Science?

Can Science Shape Art or Art Shape Science?

Dr. Catalina Achim
November 11, 2011
view the lecture
Where Stuff Comes From Now and in the Future: Feedstocks and Energy for the Chemical Industry

Where Stuff Comes From Now and in the Future: Feedstocks and Energy for the Chemical Industry

Dr. James C. Stevens
September 19, 2011
view the lecture
Glucose Metabolism in Living Things

Glucose Metabolism in Living Things

Dr. Mark Lenox
November 2, 2010
view the lecture
The Global Energy Challenge

The Global Energy Challenge

Dr. Daniel Nocera
October 26, 2010
view the lecture
Powering the Planet with Solar Fuel

Powering the Planet with Solar Fuel

Dr. Harry B. Gray
April 27, 2010
view the lecture
Poster: Big Fights in Little Medicines

Big Fights in Little Medicines: Using Nano Against Cancer

Dr. Eric Simanek
February 8, 2010
view the lecture
Crossing Boundaries: Chemistry of Art

Crossing Boundaries: Chemistry of Art

G. A. Russell, Ph.D.
October 26, 2009
view the lecture
Emergency Relief Systems

Emergency Relief Systems: Using Thermodynamics to Protect Process Equipment from Overpressure

Nancy Faulk, Ph.D.
September 22, 2009
view the lecture
Chemistry Never Tasted This Good!

Chemistry Never Tasted This Good!

Mitch Siegert
April 20, 2009
view the lecture
Traveling the Nano Road of Science, Art & Discovery

Traveling the Nano Road of Science, Art & Discovery

Donald A. Tomalia, Ph.D.
March 10, 2009
view the lecture
Dating the Native American Peyote Tradition: Past and Present

Dating the Native American Peyote Tradition: Past and Present

Professor Marvin Rowe
February 17, 2009
view the lecture
Down to Earth Chemistry: Improving Global Health with Clay Minerals

Down to Earth Chemistry: Improving Global Health with Clay Minerals

Professor Timothy D. Phillips
November 12, 2008
view the lecture
Smart Polymers: Teaching Molecules to Stay, Go and Fetch

Smart Polymers: Teaching Molecules to Stay, Go and Fetch

Professor David Bergbreiter
October 29, 2008
view the lecture
Nuclear chemistry and dirty bombs

Nuclear Chemistry and Dirty Bombs

Dr. Abraham Clearfield
April 8, 2008
view the lecture
Nautical archeology and conservation

Nautical Archeology and Conservation

Jim Jobling, M.A.
March 18, 2008
view the lecture
The General Chemistry of Wine and Spirits

The General Chemistry of Wine and Spirits

Robert Rex, Winemaker
February 19, 2008
view the lecture
Crystals Full of Nothing for Clean Energy

Crystals Full of Nothing for Clean Energy

Dr. Omar Yaghi
April 16, 2007
lecture not available
Chemistry & the Air we Breathe: A Molecular View of the Atmosphere

Chemistry & the Air we Breathe: A Molecular View of the Atmosphere

Dr. Simon North
March 20, 2007
view the lecture
controlling white tail deer populations

Chemistry of Love: Controlling White Tail Deer Populations

Dr. Roel Lopez
February 28, 2007
view the lecture
How to Think Like a Scientist

How to Think Like a Scientist

Professor Gregory Benford
November 6, 2006
view the lecture
Gold: A Special Metal from Antiquity

Gold: A Special Metal from Antiquity

Professor John Fackler, Jr.
October 16, 2006
view the lecture
Fossil Humans and the Anthropologists Who Date Them

Fossil Humans and the Anthropologists Who Date Them

Sheela Athreya
September 12, 2006
view the lecture
Chemistry matters in the land of penguins

The Science of Antarctica: Chemistry Matters in the Land of the Penguin

Dr. Mahlon C. Kennicut II
March 28, 2006
view the lecture
Chemistry at the Environmental Contaminants Laboratory of Texas Parks and Wildlife

Chemistry at the Environmental Contaminants Laboratory of Texas Parks and Wildlife

Dr. David Klein
March 9, 2006
lecture not available
Diagnosing and Treating Cancer with General Chemistry: A Role for Innovations in Imaging

Diagnosing and Treating Cancer with General Chemistry: A Role for Innovations in Imaging

Dr. Ralph Mason
February 2, 2006
view the lecture