The Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois has initiated the Pioneers of Chemistry in Academia Lecture to honor women in the chemical sciences who have made outstanding contributions to the sciences through their work in academia. The aim of this lecture series is to provide opportunities for graduate students and post-doctoral associates, aspiring to an academic career, to interact with inspiring role models. This lecture complements the Sylvia M. Stoesser Lectures in Chemistry which features a distinguished chemist outside of academia.

The speaker nomination process in the spring was department-wide among all graduate students and post-doctoral associates. Among the many excellent choices, the selection committee sought, in particular, outstanding scientists whose research appeals to a broad audience and who is enthusiastic about meeting with students. Sabeeha Merchant, Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCLA, will present the first Pioneers of Chemistry in Academia Lecture, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Copper Homeostasis for Energy Metabolism," on Monday, November 3, 2008 at 4:00 pm in 116 Roger Adams Laboratory.