Department News and Highlights
From groundbreaking research to real-world applications, our faculty and students are pioneering innovative research and pushing the boundaries of the chemical sciences
Applying to the Ph.D. Program
Doctoral study in chemistry at Stanford University prepares students for research and teaching careers with diverse emphases in basic, life, medical, physical, energy, materials, and environmental
Credit: Yilei Wu
Research
The Department of Chemistry covers research in 7 areas: Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry, Chemistry-Biology Interface, Materials Chemistry and
Ben Binhong Lin, Stanford University
Study Tips for Chemistry
Just as you need to take time to practice for sports or learn a foreign language, you need to take time to practice chemistry.
Credit: LiPo Ching
2026 Commencement Information
Sushant Malhotra, Ph.D., SVP and Head of Drug Discovery at Shenandoah Therapeutics Inc., will be the 2026 Commencement Speaker
2026 Jonathan L. Sessler Lectureship
The Department of Chemistry is honored to welcome back Serena DeBeer, Ph.D., as this year's Jonathan L. Sessler Lecturer in Chemistry. Professor DeBeer is the Director of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion and a leading scholar in inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry.
Professor DeBeer’s research combines advanced X-ray spectroscopy with catalytic chemistry to uncover how complex chemical systems drive energy conversion and chemical reactivity. Her work has transformed the understanding of metalloenzymes, transition-metal catalysts, and sustainable chemical processes relevant to clean energy and environmental challenges.
Recognized for pioneering work in spectroscopy and catalysis, DeBeer has received numerous honors for her contributions to chemical science and interdisciplinary energy research. DeBeer is a graduate of the Ph.D. program in the Department of Chemistry at Stanford…
Message from the Chair
Fostering a Culture of Respect
"The Department of Chemistry is committed to fostering a respectful workplace culture. We strive to cultivate a safe, inclusive, and fair environment where our staff, faculty, researchers, and students can thrive as they advance new chemical frontiers through research, innovation, collaboration, and scholarship."
Justin Du Bois
Chair, Department of Chemistry
Henry Dreyfus Professor of Chemistry and, by courtesy,
Professor of Chemical and Systems Biology
Bass University Fellow in Undergraduate Education
Welcome to the Chemistry Department!
Together, we are a spirited and engaged community of students, postdoctorates, staff, and faculty dedicated to educating the next generation of chemical scientists and driving the frontiers of research. Our community thrives on the energy and creativity of all our members as well as the myriad partnerships we have with others on the Stanford campus and beyond. Research in our department is uncovering the molecular mysteries of nature, revealing fundamental principles that govern molecular structure and function, and advancing bold new innovations that impact society. Our work spans the entirety of the discipline and addresses contemporary problems in analytical, biophysical, materials and energy science, catalysis, chemical biology, microbiology, immunology, and neuroscience. We invite you to visit our website to learn more. Collectively, we are guided by our foundational understanding of atomic and molecular structure and chemical reactivity, along with a bedrock conviction in the transformative power of chemistry to benefit the world.
Recent News
Do Pham/Stanford University
Credit: Do Pham / Stanford University
