Seminars/Events
Chemistry Department Seminars
Chemistry Department Seminars will be in-person in SL 130 for Spring 2026, unless otherwise noted. Some seminars may be also be broadcast online and recorded. For access to online seminars and/or recordings, please see the Majors Canvas page or contact the chemistry department at chemistry@wwu.edu with W#.
The department strives to offer a diverse and vibrant seminar program. Each year leading researchers from outside the department, as well as faculty and graduate students from Western, present and discuss their cutting-edge research. This is an excellent opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and visitors to actively participate in the scientific community. In addition, many outside seminar speakers are recruiting graduate students for their respective programs and are eager to discuss their program. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Current Seminar Schedule
Welcome to the Spring Quarter 2026 Seminar Schedule!
Seminars will be in-person in SL 130 throughout the quarter, unless otherwise noted.
IN-PERSON Seminars typically take place on Friday from 3:15-4:15 pm in SL 130.
Seminar topics and titles will be posted as we receive additional information from speakers.
Spring Quarter 2026 Seminars
Friday, April 3
Title: Hybrid Organic Electro-Optic Modulation: Chemistry to Commercialization
Speaker: Dr. Lewis E. Johnson, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, NLM Photonics
Location: SL 130
Abstract: Efficient data transfer is a key bottleneck for AI, quantum, and communications technologies. Optical links and circuits based on silicon photonics and related technologies provide a path to greater efficiency and performance, but require scalable and efficient electrical to optical signal conversion. Hybrid organic electro-optic (OEO) modulation technologies provide such a solution, leveraging the performance and tunability of organic chromophores and derived functional materials. Effective implementation requires a close interplay between molecular design, process technology, and modulator design. This seminar will focus on translational research in the field, from the fundamentals of OEO chromophore design and ordering to optimizing towards commercial needs, including discussions of the excitement and challenges of launching a venture-backed startup out of academic chemistry research.
Friday, April 10
Title: Writing and rewriting cell histories in DNA: synthetic neurobiology technologies to identify, manipulate, and record neural enhancers
Speaker: Prof. Troy McDiarmid, University of British Columbia
Location: SL 130
Abstract: Dr. Troy A. McDiarmid is an Assistant Professor in the School of Biomedical Engineering and Full Member of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health at the University of British Columbia. He completed his PhD in Neuroscience at UBC. He then completed a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship with Dr. Jay Shendure at the University of Washington, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology before beginning his current role at UBC. The McDiarmid Lab develops scalable synthetic neurobiology technologies to map, manipulate, and record gene regulation in the brain, with the ultimate goal of understanding and treating disorders of neurodevelopment and the neural immune system. Work includes the development and application of single-cell CRISPR screening approaches to identify DNA sequences regulating gene expression in different cell types and states, and molecular recording methods that write cellular events into the genome itself, enabling reconstruction of past biological processes.
Friday, April 17
Title: Solution-Phase Routes to Solid-State Materials
Speaker: Prof. Alina Schimpf, UCSD
Location: SL 130
Abstract: This talk will cover research being conducted in the Schimpf Lab, which focuses on solution-phase syntheses of inorganic solid-state materials. The talk will contain two parts: colloidal nanocrystals and cluster-based coordination assemblies. In the first part, I will discuss the use of colloidal synthesis to access metastable phases of transition metal dichalcogenide nanocrystals. Specifically, the role of precursor reactivity and other reaction conditions in facilitating or hindering phase-conversion will be discussed. In the second part of the talk, I will present the use of polyoxometalates as building-blocks for all-inorganic coordination networks. Assembly of these anionic clusters with transition-metal or lanthanide cations is used to synthesize new metal oxide frameworks with widely tunable compositions and architectures. Factors directing the framework assembly as well as the role of cluster and cation building-blocks in dictating framework properties will be discussed.
Friday, April 24
Title: Chemical tools for discovery of small molecule-protein interactions in exposure science
Speaker: Dr. Vivian S. Lin, Chemist, Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) (she/her)
Location: SL 130
Abstract: The interaction of small organic molecules with proteins in living organisms can activate or inhibit key signaling pathways. In a given cell or tissue type, there may be thousands of different proteins, making the identification of specific small molecule-protein interactions a major challenge. By designing chemical tools that mimic the structure and/or reactivity of the molecules of interest, we can selectively isolate and identify their protein targets through mass spectrometry-based proteomics. This seminar will highlight the use of chemical probes for discovery of protein-small molecule interactions in various biological systems, with a focus on organophosphate pesticides and their impacts on human health.
Friday, May 1
Title: Multifaceted NMR
Speaker: Prof. Liliya Vugmeyster, Department of Chemistry, CU Denver (she/her)
Location: Zoom Only 3:15 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) https://wwu-edu.zoom.us/j/92596268116?pwd=Goz72qgw7oI1iKkofK57pokb03MzHP.1
Abstract: NMR spectroscopy has evolved as a versatile tool in investigations of properties of different materials, and biomolecules. The field also provides opportunities for theoretical and technological developments of the techniques. Using selected studies from my research group, I will demonstrate multiple applications of NMR relaxation in investigations of dynamics of biomolecules and materials. These studies are conducted in either solution or solid phases to suit the properties of the systems. For example, amyloid-b aggregates, involved in Alzheimer’s Disease, are not very soluble and often require working under solid phase conditions. Additionally, I will demonstrate the power of NMR of quadrupolar nuclei, such as 17O, 2H, and 59Co, in investigations of molecular dynamics. Lastly, sophisticated simulations tools are needed to relate the spectroscopic observables to the mechanisms and time scales of molecular motions, and we will discuss some of these approaches used in the lab.
Friday, May 8
Slesnick Symposium
Title: Transforming Gateway STEM Courses: From Weed-Out Structures to Impactful Learning Ecosystems
Speaker: Zakiya S. Wilson-Kennedy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry Education and the Associate Dean for Academic Innovation and Engagement within the College of Science at Louisiana State University
Location: SL 220 Register Via Zoom https://foundation.wwu.edu/event/slesnick-symposium-2026
Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15
Scholars Week
May 14: Honors Oral Presentations and Poster Session
Location: Honors Oral Presentations 3:10 pm - 4:15 pm SL 140, Poster Session 4:15 pm CB 270 Foyer
Zoom Link: https://wwu-edu.zoom.us/j/98786478807?
May 15: Honors Oral Presentations and Keynote Address
Location: 2:15 pm - 5:00 pm SL 120
Zoom Link: https://wwu-edu.zoom.us/j/98786478807?
Keynote Address Title: The Energy Landscape in the Age of Sustainability: Potential Solutions, Novel Technologies and Implementation Projects
Speaker: Héctor D. Abruña
Abstract: Meeting global energy needs in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way is one of the grand challenges of our time. While the use of energy based on fossil fuels has enabled great advances and an increase in the standard of living, it has also brought us to the brink of an environmental catastrophe. As a society, we will need to develop strategies that integrate renewable and sustainable energy sources. This presentation will deal with global and national energy issues and how ongoing work at Cornell, especially on fuel cells and electrical energy storage technologies (batteries) can provide some potential solutions. I will also present examples of how fundamental research translates into deployable technologies and demonstration projects of the Abruña Energy Initiative in Ithaca, NY and Vieques, Puerto Rico. The presentation will conclude with an overview of future directions.
Friday, May 22
Title: Organometallic Mechanisms: Strangely Speedy Isotopes and Catalysts for Alternative Fuel
Speaker: Prof. Mir Bowring, Margret Geselbracht Associate Professor of Chemistry, Reed College (they/them)
Location: SL 130
Abstract: I work with undergraduate researchers to study how organometallic catalysts work. Our approach is to study their mechanisms in detail by measuring reaction rates. In particular, we want to know why some reactions have large isotope effects - proceeding far faster than expected when hydrogen is used compared to its isotope deuterium. We have chosen two examples that are relevant to the design of alternative sustainable fuels. For a reaction releasing methane, we found that we are able to control the isotope effect based on concentration, which points to hidden reaction steps. We found that a hydrogen gas generation reaction slows down by surprising amounts not only when hydrogen is changed for deuterium, but also when other changes are made, again suggesting a hidden mechanism. Our adventures in organometallic mechanisms can help solve the mystery of large isotope effects, and point towards strategies for alternative sustainable fuels.
Friday, May 29
Title: Making and Breaking Strong Non-Polar Bonds to Carbon with Platinum-Group Metals
Speaker: Prof. Nancy Williams, Professor of Chemistry, the Department of Natural Sciences of Pitzer and Scripps Colleges, (she/her)
Location: SL 130
Abstract: Our group is focused on a deeper understanding of bond making and breaking between carbons and between carbons and hydrogens, primarily at platinum centers. Three different projects will be discussed. The first is a mechanistic study of the insertion of labeled carbon monoxide into platinum(II)-methyl bonds. The second is the study of carbon-carbon reductive elimination reactions from platinum (IV) in which we find surprisingly weak effects from hybridization of the coupling carbon atoms, challenging much of the conventional wisdom about what controls carbon-carbon relative coupling
rates. In the final project, we are in the process of synthesizing and exploring new π-rich, σpoor pincer ligands which are computationally predicted to be far more effective than their more traditional pincer cousins at promoting C-H oxidative addition to Ir(I) complexes.
Friday, June 5
No Seminar. Awards Presentation!
Friday, June 12
No Seminar. Finals week; good luck!