Tessera

Folgen

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University

@tamuchemistry.bsky.social

#chemsky

126 Posts461 Follower 96 Folgt

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Dr. Irshad Kammakakam (Nazarbayev University) will present an organic division seminar next Friday, May 22 in CHEM 2104 at 11:30 AM titled "Bridging Microporous Architectures and Imidazolium-Mediated Functionality for Environmental Technologies" Join us!

A seminar flyer with ATM log, abstract, and picture of Dr. Kammakakam.
Abstract text: Prof. Kammakakam’s group focuses on the design and synthesis of imidazolium-mediated functional polymers for high-impact environmental and energy applications, including gas separation, sensing, ion separation, and water purification. His group has developed advanced Ionic-PIMs (Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity) membranes with enhanced CO2 affinity, high permeability, and strong thermal stability through the incorporation of ionic liquid functionalities into rigid polymer backbones. Using innovative synthetic strategies and molecular dynamics simulations, the group demonstrated exceptional gas separation performance and resistance to free volume collapse. More recently, the lab has expanded this platform to imidazolium-based hydrogels with enhanced ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness for applications such as mercury separation and advanced environmental remediation.
A biography is provided in a maroon sidebar: Dr. Kammakakam is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and the BSc Program Director at Nazarbayev University. His research focuses on organic porous materials and polymeric membranes for green energy and sustainable separations. Recognized among the world’s leading researchers, he was named a ScholarGPS Top 0.5% Scholar in Chemical Synthesis (2024, 2025) and included in the Stanford Top 2% Scientists list (2025). He has secured over $1.6 million in research funding and received honors including the RSC Emerging Investigator 2025 distinction and the 2022 RSC Most Cited Paper Award.

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Congratulations to our Bachelor's Degree Candidates who became former students this morning. Go be great! 👍🧪🥼🎓

May '26 BA and BS CHEM degree candidates wearing TAMU lab coats posed in front of the landmark H2O fountain next to the Chemistry Building.

Beckman Foundation @beckman-foundation.bsky.social · 4mo ago

#BeckmanScholar Sean Rooney and his advisor, Francois Gabbai, in the lab, discussing a recent NMR measurement and admiring the persistent color of Sean's catalysts. Credit: Photo taken by Snigdha Satapathi. #URW2026 #undergraduateresearch #bsp

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr Gabbai is hosting Dr. Alexandra Velian from the University of Washington, to present her seminar “Molecular Catalysts Go Nano: Installing Active Sites on Clusters and Nanosheets” on Wednesday, April 29 in CHEM 2104 at 11:30 AM.

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Marc Greenberg from Johns Hopkins University will be presenting a seminar on “Chemical Tools for DNA-Protein Cross-Link Formation and Study” on Monday, April 27th at 11:30 AM in CHEM 2104. Join us!

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Son will host a Special Physical Seminar next week, on Tuesday, April 28th, at 4pm in 2101 CHEM, featuring Dr. Tak W. Kee of Adelaide University. Dr. Kee's seminar is titled, "Ultrafast Singlet and Triplet Exciton Dissociation in Organic Photo-Catalysts for Hydrogen Generation".

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

You are cordially invited to attend the 2026 F. A. Cotton Medal Symposium on Friday, April 24 beginning at 2 PM in the ILSB Auditorium. The 2026 Cotton Medal Recipient is Eric Jacobsen (Harvard), and his address "Studies in Selective Catalysis" will begin at 4:30 PM.

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Dia Das from Southern Methodist University will be visiting the department on Thursday, April 23rd, and will be giving a seminar at 11:30 am in 2104 CHEM entitled "Tuning Atomically Precise Materials for Sustainable Chemistry." Join us!

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Wenshe Liu is hosting Dr. Young Hai from the UCSB for a Chemical Biology seminar entitled “Uncovering and Reprogramming Enzymatic Chemistry in Natural Product Biosynthesis and Biocatalysis” on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 4:00 PM in 2104 CHEM. Join us!

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Alexandra Velian from the University of Washington will be visiting the department on Wednesday, April 29th, to give a seminar at 11:30 am in 2104 CHEM entitled Molecular Catalysts Go Nano: Installing Active Sites on Clusters and Nanosheets. Join us!

abstract text: A central research goal in the Velian group is to create next-generation single-atom catalysts that harness cooperativity between the active site and chemically non-innocent supports. To emulate defect sites in inorganic heterogeneous catalysts in a controlled fashion, we embed well-defined active sites on clusters and two-dimensional nanosheets.
The first part of this seminar will introduce a class of atomically precise nanoclusters featuring discrete active sites that dynamically engage with the metal chalcogenide support and with substrates.
The second part will present an orthogonal approach to catalyst design, where principles of organometallic phosphine chemistry are used to anchor single-site active centers on two-dimensional black phosphorus nanosheets. Molecular synthetic and characterization strategies are used to probe bonding and functionality.

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Cristina Nevado from the University of Zürich will be here April 20-22 for our Frontiers in Chemical Research program. The theme for her lectures is “Mechanistic Adventures in Catalysis…and Beyond”. Lectures will be held in CHEM 2104. You are all invited to attend!

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Adrian Figg from Virginia Tech, hosted by Dr. Emily Pentzer, is visiting this week as part of the Organic Seminar Series. His talk, titled "Approaching Acrylic Copolymer Structures Differently," is on THURSDAY at 11:30 am in CHEM 2104. Join us!

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Cathy Drennan from Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Massachusetts Institute of Technology will be here April 13-14 for our Frontiers in Chemical Research program. The theme for her lectures is “Snapshots of Metalloenzymes in Action”. Lectures will be held in CHEM 2104.

Seminar flyer with a photograph of Dr. Drennan in the foreground and an illustration of a protein with aqua, purple, and green colors.

Research Corporation for Science Advancement @rescorp.org · 4mo ago

RCSA has selected a new class of outstanding postdoctoral scholars in the third year of the #RCSAFellows initiative, which aims to increase faculty excellence in the physical sciences through a multiyear program of job search preparation, professional development, and community building.

2026 RCSA Fellows

Research Corporation for Science Advancement has selected a new cohort of 12 outstanding postdoctoral scholars in the third year of the RCSA Fellows initiative.

rescorp.org

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Professor Brandi Cossairt at University of Washington gives the Inorganic Division Seminar: Precision Synthesis and Deterministic Placement of Quantum Light Technologies April 8 at 11:30 AM in room 2104 CHEM. Join us!

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Son and Dr. Altman are hosting a Physical and Inorganic Seminar today, at 11:30 AM in CHEM 2104, featuring Dr. Dmitri Talapin of the University of Chicago. Dr. Talapin's seminar is titled, "Exploring Different Intersections of Solid-State and Molecular Chemistry".

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Shiqing Xu is hosing Dr. Andrei K. Yudin from University of Toronto for an Organic Chemistry seminar entitled “Isoreactivity in Chemistry” on Thursday, April 9 at 11:30 AM. The details of the seminar are as below. We hope that you can attend this seminar.

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Shiqing Xu is hosing Dr. Andrei K. Yudin from University of Toronto for an Organic Chemistry seminar entitled “Isoreactivity in Chemistry” on Thursday, April 9 at 11:30 AM in 2104 CHEM. Join us!

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Yan is hosting Dr. Tian (Autumn) Qiu from Michigan State University for an Analytical Chemistry seminar entitled “Spatial Metabolomics and Toxicology Research with Mass Spectrometry Imaging” on Tuesday, today at 11:30 am in 2104 CHEM.

Seminar flyer that includes the abstract: Cells and tissues exhibit biological heterogeneity that underlies their functions and responses to environmental exposures. Elucidating the spatial molecular landscape of heterogeneous biological systems represents a frontier in biological research. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) represents a powerful toolkit to map the spatial distribution of elements and molecules in situ, leveraging both spatial resolution and molecular and elemental specificity. Our lab applies MSI, primarily matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDl)-MS, to characterize spatial chemical landscapes in host microbe systems and map toxicity responses in tissues. In this seminar, I will describe our recent work in mapping metabolites in mouse colon and nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, as well as enabling fast and in-situ analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of emerging environmental contaminants, using MALDI-MS coupled with trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TlMS).

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Blanton Tolbert from the University of Pennsylvania will be visiting the department Monday, March 30th to give a seminar titled "From Recognition to Regulation - Allostery in RNA-Protein Networks" at 11:30 a.m. in CHEM 2104. Join us!

seminar with abstract text
Gene expression is governed by a dense network of heterotypic RNA-protein (RNP) interactions, yet the principles that dictate how functional RNP assemblies form and regulate biological outcomes remain poorly defined across much of the transcriptome. A major obstacle is the intrinsic heterogeneity of these interactions, which complicates efforts to extract generalizable rules from genome-wide studies. In this seminar, I will introduce mutual allostery as a conceptual framework for understanding how RNA and protein components cooperatively encode regulatory control. Allostery is traditionally viewed as communication between distant sites within a macromolecule; here, the concept is extended to heterotypic RNPs, where reciprocal coupling between RNA and protein conformational states shapes assembly, specificity, and function. Through selected examples, I will illustrate how allosteric communication across RNP interfaces can influence higher-order complex formation and regulatory outcomes. Together, these observations support the idea that mutual allostery may represent a unifying mechanism by which heterotypic interactions modulate RNA biology. More broadly, this framework suggests new ways to think about, and ultimately manipulate, RNA-centered regulatory systems using chemical principles.

Biographical information is also included: Blanton S. Tolbert, PhD, is the Jacob Gershon-Cohen Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania, where he leads a research program investigating RNA virus biology and virus–host interactions, with emphasis on protein–RNA complexes as therapeutic targets. His work has informed antiviral strategies against pathogens including SARS- CoV-2 and enterovirus A71. From 2022 to 2025, he served as inaugural Vice President at HHMI’s Center for the Advancement of Science Leadership and Culture, leading initiatives integrating inclusion, mentorship, and community engagement into academic science…

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Dr. Joshua Buss of the University of Michigan will present his seminar, "Mapping Surface Science Mechanisms with Atomic Precision" at 12:30 pm in CHEM 2104 on Wednesday, April 1. Join us!

Seminar flyer with abstract text: The most important global chemical processes rely on multimetallic catalysts that facilitate difficult bond making and bond breaking transformations. Many of these catalysts take the form of evolutionarily optimized enzymatic machinery, while equally vital are engineered heterogeneous catalysts used in large-scale industrial chemical transformations. A significant challenge in
optimizing existing catalysts and discovering or designing new ones Is the lack of fundamental mechanistic understanding of the elementary chemical processes taking place at the active site. My research group addresses this knowledge gap by employing inorganic synthesis to prepare and study multimetalllc complexes that adopt design features prevalent in both industrial and enzymatic catalysis. This talk will describe the synthesis of an unusual, low-valent multicopper cluster that serves as a soluble fragment of crystalline Cu(111). Studies investigating small molecule binding and activation, as they pertain to substrate adsorption and chemisorption, are presented. This platform also facilitates surface-like catalytic transformations of NO, reagents, unsaturated hydrocarbons, and carbon oxygenates. These chemistries, including Insights Into their respective mechanisms, will be compared to prevailing mechanistic proposals In surface science.

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 4mo ago

The Harry E. Bovay Jr. Lecture will take place TODAY in ILSB Auditorium. Dr. Frank Raushel will receive an award to recognize his contributions in the Chemical Biology field. Ben Liu (Texas ); Andrew N. Bigley (SWPOSU) and Reinhard Sterner (Regensburg) will also present.

Flyer for Harry E. Bovay, Jr. Annual lecture that occurs Friday, March 27 at 1 PM in the ILSB room 1105. There are pictures of the speakers. Dr. Raushel will be given an award to recognize his significant contributions in the Chemical Biology field. In addition to Dr. Raushel’s presentation, Prof. Hung-Wen (Ben) Liu (University of Texas at Austin); Prof. Andrew N. Bigley(Southwestern Oklahoma State University) and Prof. Reinhard Sterner (University of Regensburg, Germany) will join Dr. Raushel to present talks.

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Dr. Tomohiro Kubo from the Institute of Science Tokyo, will present a seminar, titled "Molecular Design of Polyester Backbones for Enhanced Degradation," on Thursday, March 19 at 11:30 am in CHEM 2104. Join us!

Che-Fan Jeffrey Huang @jfhorner.bsky.social · 5mo ago

I am thrilled to share that I will be joining @tamuchemistry.bsky.social as a tenure-track Assistant Professor this summer. My research group will advance top-down mass spectrometry and proteomics to study the proteoform biology of cell–cell adhesion and phosphorylation in disease.

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Dr. Raúl Hernández Sánchez from Rice University will visit the department Wednesday, March 18th to give a seminar titled “Macrocyclic templates facilitating strong and weak interactions” at 11:30 a.m. in CHEM 2104. Join us!

Seminar flyer with abstract text: Macrocyclic arene compounds have played a fundamental role in the development of supramolecular chemistry. Research on these systems have laid the foundations to explore and establish non-covalent interactions, e.g., hydrogen bonding, TT···TT stacking, C-H·•·TT interactions. My research group has taken the basic principles of macrocyclic arenes to design architectures enforcing metal-metal interactions towards the activation of small molecules, scaffolds capable of tubularly contorting aromatic systems, and frameworks able to bind anionic species for environmental remediation, all while retaining their intrinsic non-covalent interactions. In this seminar, I will discuss our progress in each of these areas constantly crossing the boundaries between organic-inorganic synthesis and materials chemistry.

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Dr. Justin Kennemur from Florida State University will be visiting on March 5th, 2026 (TODAY), as this year's Organic Student-Invited Speaker. His abstract is attached. Please join us for the seminar TODAY at 11:30 a.m. in CHEM 2104.

seminar flyer with abstract text: A launch-point for potentially transformative materials is the synthetic design of polymer microstructures capable of offering precise and unique functional sequencing outside of those provided by traditional monomers and methods. The concept of using low ring strain cycloolefin monomers, such as cyclopentenes, for enthalpy-driven ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) is contradictory since the release of ring-strain is the driving force for success. Our research has leveraged thermodynamic principles to gain near living-like control and high conversion from these systems. We have now carried this success forward to instill more precise architectural complexities such as highly isotactic and regioregular systems, fluorine-free fuel cell membranes, and bottlebrush polymers with precise functional branch periodicities. We have also carried some of these strategies over to biomass-based terpene derivates. Our findings on the efficacy of targeted materials, their properties and outlook will be discussed.

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Dr. Xiaoyu Zhang from the Northwestern University for a Chemical Biology seminar entitled “Targeted Protein Control: From Mechanistic Insights to Therapeutic Strategies ” on Monday, March 02, 2026, at 11:30 am in 2104 CHEM. Join us!

Seminar flyer with abstract text: My research group uses small molecules to study biological processes, with the goal of controlling protein function for therapeutic applications. A major focus is targeted protein degradation, where we build platforms to discover E3 ligases and show that both cancer overexpressed and mutant ligases can be harnessed for selective protein removal. In parallel, we uncover chemical principles in immunology by demonstrating that reactive residues on MHC-I peptide antigens can be targeted to modulate immune responses. We also investigate hapten-modified peptides, uncovering their role in allergy and harnessing this mechanism for immunotherapy. Together, these efforts reveal how chemistry shapes biology and point toward new ways of developing therapeutics.

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Dr. Patrick Holland (Yale) will give an Inorganic Division seminar titled “Breaking it and fixing it: new chemistry with nitrogen” on Wednesday , February 25 at 11:30 am in 2104 CHEM. Join us!

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Don't miss the famous Chemistry Road Show on Aggieland Saturday on February 28! The Road Show starts at 10; 11:30; and 1 @ 112 ILCB. Tour the lab spaces on the hour starting at 10 in the ILSQ. Make some snow or bouncy balls! Check out our undergraduate research posters from 11-1 in the ILSQ lobby.

Dr. Pennington is earing a tie-dyed lab coat and safety glasses, explaining why a dollar bill that's aflame is not turning to ash. A group of students sitting on the floor is watching.

Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University @tamuchemistry.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Dr. Paul Chirik from Princeton University will be here February 18-19 for our Frontiers in Chemical Research program. The theme for his lectures is “Catalysis with Earth Abundant Transition Metals”. Lectures will be held in CHEM 2104 at 11:30 AM

Flyer for Frontiers Seminar with picture of Dr. Chirik in a building with windows. Included is an abstract and some information about the lecture series.
Abstract Text
How chemists interact with and ultimately use the elements on the periodic table is one of the primary sustainability challenges of the 21st century. Applications ranging from alternative energy to catalysis to sustainable plastics need to rely on Earth abundant elements such as iron rather than terrestrially rare ones that have a large environmental footprint associated with mining, purification and recovery. Our research group is exploring the new chemistry enabled by catalysis with earth- abundant transition metals. Motivations are two-fold. First, we strive to discover highly effective catalysts with applications in the pharmaceutical, flavor and fragrance, silicones, energy and polymer science industries. Second, we seek to uncover the unique pathways that enable these transformations, many of which are distinct from precious metals. An emphasis in my lectures will be the fundamental organometallic chemistry of open-shell first-row metal complexes, how to control spin and one-electron redox to impart new reaction chemistry as well as the distinct mechanisms that underly these catalytic transformations.

THE FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL RESEARCH DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES features in-depth presentations of current developments in important areas of contemporary chemistry from prominent chemists of international renown who are describing their most recent significant research results. In addition to delivering three seminars, each Frontiers speaker interacts with graduate students and departmental instructional and research staff in formal discussion sessions and meetings.
LEARN MORE AT:
artsci.tamu.edu/chemistry/about/medals-lectureships/frontiers-lecture-series.html