Department News

Researchers Contribute to Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality Discussion

Stefanie Schy — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 20:48:34 +0000

Researchers Contribute to Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality Discussion Stefanie Schy Tue, 10/27/2026 - 14:48

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Chemistry graduate students Nell Schafer and Audrey Lyp, along with Dr. Steve Brown (�鶹��Ѱ��& NOAA-CSL), participated in a panel discussion on Wildfire Smoke Impacts on Ozone at the Intermountain West Ozone Exchange, held October 26–28, 2026, in Loveland, Colorado.

The discussion brought together air quality regulators, scientists, and other stakeholders to examine the relationship between wildfire smoke, ozone formation, and regional air quality.

Fellow panelists included Dr. Jaron Hanson of Brigham Young University, Dr. Piotr Nowinski of Clark County, Nevada, and Dr. Dan Jaffe of the University of Washington.

The event provided an opportunity for �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder researchers to contribute to discussions connecting atmospheric chemistry research with environmental challenges and air quality management.

Photo credit: Rainer Volkamer

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Chemistry graduate students Nell Schafer and Audrey Lyp, along with Professor Steven Brown, participated in a panel discussion on wildfire smoke, ozone formation, and regional air quality at the 2026 Intermountain West Ozone Exchange.

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Andrés Montoya-Castillo Receives 2026 Future of Chemical Physics Lectureship

Stefanie Schy — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 19:16:38 +0000

Andrés Montoya-Castillo Receives 2026 Future of Chemical Physics Lectureship Stefanie Schy Tue, 10/27/2026 - 13:16

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Andrés Montoya-Castillo on receiving the 2026 JCP–DCP Future of Chemical Physics Lectureship, recognizing outstanding early-career scientists shaping the future of chemical physics and physical chemistry.

Montoya-Castillo's research focuses on developing computational methods to better understand and predict the movement of charge, energy, and information through complex molecular systems, with applications in energy conversion, quantum information, and biophysics.

As part of the lectureship, Montoya-Castillo will be invited to present his research at the 2027 APS Global Physics Summit.

This latest honor adds to his growing list of prestigious recognitions, including a U.S. Department of Energy Early Career Research Award (2023), a Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering (2024), and an NSF CAREER Award (2025). He was also recently recognized with the 2025 Journal of Chemical Physics Best Paper by an Emerging Investigator Award in the theoretical category, further highlighting his contributions to advancing theoretical and computational chemistry.

Source: Official JCP–DCP Lectureship announcement

Andrés Montoya-Castillo receives the 2026 JCP–DCP Future of Chemical Physics Lectureship, recognizing his outstanding contributions to chemical physics.

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In Memoriam: Carl A. Koval (1952–2026)

Stefanie Schy — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 20:40:43 +0000

In Memoriam: Carl A. Koval (1952–2026) Stefanie Schy Fri, 10/23/2026 - 14:40

The Department of Chemistry mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus Carl A. Koval, a longtime member of the �鶹��Ѱ�� community, who died September 27, 2026, at the age of 74.

Koval joined the �鶹��Ѱ�� faculty in 1980 and remained at �鶹��Ѱ��until his retirement in 2018, a career spanning nearly four decades. He was Professor Emeritus in Chemistry and an Institute Fellow Emeritus with the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI).

An electrochemist by training, Koval earned his bachelor's degree from Juniata College and his Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology before completing postdoctoral work at Purdue University. His research at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder encompassed renewable energy and physical inorganic chemistry, including work on electrochemical separations and membrane-based technologies.

During his long career at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, Koval contributed not only through his research, but as a teacher, mentor, and colleague to generations of students and members of the Chemistry community. Throughout his career, he played an active role in the life and leadership of the department.

He served twice as chair of Chemistry, from 1998–2001 and again from 2015 until his retirement in 2018. He also helped establish �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute and advised 26 Ph.D. students during his career.

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Chemistry and Biochemistry Celebrate 2026–27 Scholarship Recipients

Stefanie Schy — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 20:56:05 +0000

Chemistry and Biochemistry Celebrate 2026–27 Scholarship Recipients Stefanie Schy Fri, 10/09/2026 - 14:56

The �鶹��Ѱ�� Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry came together to celebrate the students receiving scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year and recognize the generous donors, families, and supporters who make these opportunities possible.

This year's Scholarship Recognition Dinner was held at Jill's at the St Julien Hotel in Boulder, bringing together scholarship recipients and benefactors for an evening of recognition and connection.

The celebration highlighted the importance of scholarship support in helping students pursue their academic goals and continue their education in chemistry and biochemistry.

Celebrating Our Scholarship Community

Scholarships recognized during the event included the Bob and Dickie Lacher Scholarship Fund, Bob and Pat Meyers Scholarship Fund in Chemistry and Biochemistry, Daniel L. Touff Memorial Scholarship, Harold L. Chapel Undergraduate Chemistry Scholarship Fund, Teresa Fonseca Memorial Fund, and several additional awards supporting students across both departments.

We extend our congratulations to the scholarship recipients and our appreciation to the donors and families whose generosity helps create meaningful educational opportunities for �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder students.

Event Photos

Visit the Biochemistry Scholarship Recognition Dinner recap to explore photographs from the celebration.

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CHEMunity Hosts Graduate Research Poster Session

Stefanie Schy — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:17:50 +0000

CHEMunity Hosts Graduate Research Poster Session Stefanie Schy Tue, 09/01/2026 - 15:17

Chemistry Graduate Research Poster Session

Thursday, Sept. 10 | 3–4 p.m. | 3rd Floor Cristol Hallway

Curious about research happening across the Chemistry Department? Join CHEMunity for the Chemistry Graduate Research Poster Session. Meet members of the department, learn about research groups and connect with fellow graduate students over coffee and ice cream.

First-year Chemistry PhD students are especially encouraged to attend, but all who are interested in learning more about research in the department are welcome.

Hosted by CHEMunity.

Join CHEMunity for the Graduate Research Poster Session to explore research happening across the Chemistry Department, meet members of the community and connect over coffee and ice cream.

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Welcome Professor Robb to the Department of Chemistry!

Stefanie Schy — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:57:22 +0000

Welcome Professor Robb to the Department of Chemistry! Stefanie Schy Mon, 07/20/2026 - 09:57

Professor Maxwell Robb joins the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Department of Chemistry.

We are pleased to welcome Professor Maxwell Robb to the faculty.

A Colorado native, Robb returns to his home state after serving on the faculty at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

Robb earned his bachelor's degree from the Colorado School of Mines before completing his PhD at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He later conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before joining the Caltech faculty.

His accomplishments have been recognized with numerous honors, including an NSF CAREER Award, Sloan Research Fellowship, Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, Beckman Young Investigator Award and the National Fresenius Award.

Professor Maxwell Robb joins the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Department of Chemistry.

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Chapman, Browne and Muter Awarded AI Discovery Grant for Air Quality Research

Stefanie Schy — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 20:34:14 +0000

Chapman, Browne and Muter Awarded AI Discovery Grant for Air Quality Research Stefanie Schy Tue, 07/14/2026 - 14:34

Associate Professor Ellie Browne, Chemistry PhD student Max Muter, and ATOC Assistant Professor Will Chapman have been awarded a 2026 AI Discovery & Capacity Building Grant from the �鶹��Ѱ��Research & Innovation Office (RIO). Their project will develop a new machine learning approach to predict emerging air contaminants of concern.

Read more about the award and the AI Discovery & Capacity Building Grant recipients on the �鶹��Ѱ��Research & Innovation Office website.

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Professor Wei Zhang Departs Chemistry Department for Great Bay University

Stefanie Schy — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:02:19 +0000

Professor Wei Zhang Departs Chemistry Department for Great Bay University Stefanie Schy Thu, 07/09/2026 - 13:02

Professor Wei Zhang has departed the Department of Chemistry to begin a new position at Great Bay University (GBU).

Professor Zhang was a faculty member in our department for 19 years and served as Department Chair from 2022 through 2025. His research made important contributions to the fields of organic and materials chemistry, and he was a valued colleague, mentor, and leader. We are grateful for his many years of service to the department and wish him every success in this next chapter of his career.

Professor Wei Zhang Departs �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Chemistry Department for Great Bay University

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Erin Jacoski Receives Best Student Presentation Award at International Conference

Stefanie Schy — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:35:24 +0000

Erin Jacoski Receives Best Student Presentation Award at International Conference Stefanie Schy Thu, 07/09/2026 - 12:35

Graduate student Erin Jacoski, a member of Professor Steven George's research group, received the Best Student ALE Presentation Award at the 2026 ALD/ALE Conference, an international meeting focused on atomic layer deposition (ALD) and atomic layer etching (ALE).

Hosted by the American Vacuum Society (AVS), the annual ALD/ALE Conference brings together researchers from academia, industry, and national laboratories to share the latest advances in thin-film deposition and etching technologies. This year's conference, held in Tampa, Florida, attracted approximately 800 attendees from around the world.

Jacoski was recognized for delivering the conference's top student presentation in the field of atomic layer etching, highlighting the quality and impact of her research.

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TA Appreciation Party Brings Students Together

Adeline Greene — Tue, 05 May 2026 18:18:11 +0000

TA Appreciation Party Brings Students Together Adeline Greene Tue, 05/05/2026 - 12:18

The Department of Chemistry came together on May 4 to celebrate the teaching assistants who support undergraduate labs and courses. A total of 69 attendees - including 51 graduate student TAs, 4 undergraduate TAs, as well as staff and faculty - assembled in the Idea Forge Commons.

With allergy-friendly catering from Illegal Pete’s, refreshments, and a variety of board games, the TA Appreciation Party offered a relaxed space for conversation and connection. The gathering also highlighted the vital role TAs play in creating meaningful learning experiences for undergraduate students, recognizing specific TAs for their extraordinary contributions.

The Department of Chemistry extends its appreciation to all who attended, especially the lab directors Molly Larsen, Susan Hendrickson, Jacqueline Richardson, and Christopher Marelli, who made this event possible.

The Department of Chemistry came together on May 4 to celebrate the teaching assistants who support undergraduate labs and courses. The gathering highlighted the vital role TAs play in creating meaningful learning experiences for undergraduate students, recognizing specific TAs for their extraordinary contributions.

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