Glycoconjugate Vaccine Research to Combat Drug-Resistant Infections

LSU Chemistry Professor Receives NSF CAREER Award to Advance Research on Plant Growth and Resilience

February 4, 2025

Assistant Professor Amy Xu has been awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for her research on protein-polysaccharide interactions within the crowded environments of plant cells, an essential process for plant survival and growth. Her findings will provide new insights into how plants adapt to stress, such as drought and high temperatures. Discover how Prof. Xu’s research could help develop sustainable agricultural practices and address global food security challenges.

García-López Receives Big Idea Award for Molecular Switches Research

January 29, 2025

Assistant Professor Víctor García-López received an LSU Provost’s Fund - Big Idea Phase I award for his work on light-activated, non-genetic molecular switches to control mechanosensitive channels in neurons. In collaboration with Professor Ryoichi Teruyama (LSU Biological Sciences) and researchers from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the project will utilize the molecular switches to understand mechanosensitive channels better and offer insights into treating certain neurological diseases. | Learn more

LSU Chemistry Professor Receives NSF CAREER Award to Develop Advanced Materials for Energy Applications

January 28, 2025

Assistant Professor Sviatoslav Baranets received an NSF CAREER award for his innovative research in developing new semiconducting materials for thermoelectric applications. His research investigates a unique class of heteroanionic oxypnictide compounds for thermoelectric generators to convert waste heat into electricity efficiently.

Learn how Prof. Baranets is paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future while inspiring the next generation of innovators. 

2024 Graduate Student Research and Teaching Awards

On Friday, December 6, 2024, the LSU Department of Chemistry celebrated the outstanding achievements of its graduate students in research, teaching, or both. The Graduate Student Research and Teaching Awards Ceremony recognizes students' dedication, innovation, and excellence in advancing their fields and contributing to the department's mission. 

2024 Awardees

An LSU Alum's Quest for Dental Innovation

December 6, 2024

Through his journey, Dr. Jirun Sun (LSU Ph.D. 2006) remained driven by the goal of transforming research into practical solutions that can improve human health. Now a professor at the ADA Forsyth Institute, he leads innovative research in dental composites and pH-responsive biomaterials. Learn how Dr. Sun is making a lasting impact in dental material science and beyond. 

LSU Chemistry: A Catalyst for Innovation

November 27, 2024

LSU climbed to No. 56 in the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2023 Top 100 ranking for U.S. utility patents granted to universities, and the LSU Department of Chemistry is one of the top contributors to the University’s patent portfolio. Faculty and researchers in the department have been at the forefront of discoveries, developing technologies and solutions with real-world applications. See the full list of patents issued to LSU Chemistry faculty and researchers since 2015. 

LSU Chemistry Graduate Students Sweep Top Honors at 3MT Competition

November 22, 2024

Congratulations to LSU Chemistry graduate students who competed in the final round of the LSU Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition and received the top three awards. The competition supports doctoral student capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

First Place: Helder Ombui, Ragains Research Group, "Glycoconjugate Vaccine Development as a Sustainable Solution Against Acinetobacter baumannii"

Second Place: Soumya Dawn, García-López Research Group, "Unleashing the Tiniest Machine: Driving Health from Cellular Level"

People's Choice: Senuri Jayawardana Arachchige, García-López Research Group, "Photo-Active Metal-Organic Cage for Photocatalysis"