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College of Arts & Sciences

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:

kennedy

Drugging Long-Term Memory

Andrew Kennedy, Ph.D.
April 17, 2023
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kennedy

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

Dr. Matthew Sheldon, Ph.D.
February 17, 2023
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batteas

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

James D. Batteas, Ph. D.
October 14, 2022
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pentzer

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

Emily Pentzer, Ph. D.
October 3, 2022
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moreira

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

Rosana G. Moreira, Ph. D., P.E.
February 5, 2020
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fitzsimmons

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

Dr. Jessica Fitzsimmons
November 19, 2019
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folden

The Future of the Periodic Table

Prof. Cody Folden
October 18, 2019
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micahgreen

Using Nanomaterials to Transform 3D Printing

Dr. Micah J. Green
September 12, 2018
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lu

The Chemistry of Cooking

Dr. Lesa Tran Lu
March 26, 2018
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kennedy

Harnessing the Power of Plastics in Li-ion Batteries

Dr. Jodie Lutkenhaus
February 19, 2018
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west

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

Dr. Jason B. West
October 23, 2017
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ferreira

Using Geochemistry to Deal with the Fallout in Fukushima

Dr. Daniel Ferreira
October 20, 2017
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mckibben

350: The Most Important Number in the World

Mr. Bill McKibben
April 10, 2014
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gabbai

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

Dr. Francois Gabbai
February 11, 2014
lecture not available

mills

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

Dr. Nancy Mills
October 30, 2013
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anastas

Designing a Sustainable Tomorrow

Dr. Paul Anastas
October 7, 2013
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romo

SpongeBob, Cancer, and Molecular Engineering

Dr. Daniel Romo
April 15, 2013
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rabinovich

Hydrogen to Copernicium: The World of Chemistry on Stamps

Dr. Daniel Rabinovich
April 16, 2012
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kennedy

Chemistry and the Greehouse Effect in Climate Science

Dr. Gerald R. North
February 21, 2012
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achim

Can Science Shape Art or Art Shape Science?

Dr. Catalina Achim
November 11, 2011
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stevens

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

Dr. James C. Stevens
September 19, 2011
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lenox

Glucose Metabolism in Living Things

Dr. Mark Lenox
November 2, 2010
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nocera

The Global Energy Challenge

Dr. Daniel Nocera
October 26, 2010
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gray

Powering the Planet with Solar Fuel

Dr. Harry B. Gray
April 27, 2010
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simanek

Big Fights in Little Medicines: Using Nano Against Cancer

Dr. Eric Simanek
February 8, 2010
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simanek

Crossing Boundaries: Chemistry of Art

G. A. Russell, Ph.D.
October 26, 2009
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faulk

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

Nancy Faulk, Ph.D.
September 22, 2009
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seigert

Chemistry Never Tasted This Good!

Mitch Siegert
April 20, 2009
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tomalia

Traveling the Nano Road of Science, Art & Discovery

Donald A. Tomalia, Ph.D.
March 10, 2009
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rowe

Dating the Native American Peyote Tradition: Past and Present

Professor Marvin Rowe
February 17, 2009
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simanek

Down to Earth Chemistry: Improving Global Health with Clay Minerals

Professor Timothy D. Phillips
November 12, 2008
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bergbreiter

Smart Polymers: Teaching Molecules to Stay, Go and Fetch

Professor David Bergbreiter
October 29, 2008
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clearfield

Nuclear Chemistry and Dirty Bombs

Dr. Abraham Clearfield
April 8, 2008
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jobling

Nautical Archeology and Conservation

Jim Jobling, M.A.
March 18, 2008
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rex

The General Chemistry of Wine and Spirits

Robert Rex, Winemaker
February 19, 2008
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yaghi

Crystals Full of Nothing for Clean Energy

Dr. Omar Yaghi
April 16, 2007
lecture not available

north

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

Dr. Simon North
March 20, 2007
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lopez

Chemistry of Love: Controlling White Tail Deer Populations

Dr. Roel Lopez
February 28, 2007
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benford

How to Think Like a Scientist

Professor Gregory Benford
November 6, 2006
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fackler

Gold: A Special Metal from Antiquity

Professor John Fackler, Jr.
October 16, 2006
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athreya

Fossil Humans and the Anthropologists Who Date Them

Sheela Athreya
September 12, 2006
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kennicut

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

Dr. Mahlon C. Kennicut II
March 28, 2006
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klein

Chemistry at the Environmental Contaminants Laboratory of Texas Parks and Wildlife

Dr. David Klein
March 9, 2006
lecture not available

mason

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

Dr. Ralph Mason
February 2, 2006
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