News – MIT Department of Chemistry

Simon Friedman works in a lab with three graduate students.

Chemist Brings Light to Diabetes Fight

Course 5 alum Simon Friedman '89 was recently featured on the MIT Alumni Association's Slice of MIT blog.

Professor Steve Buchwald smiles in front of a blue background.

Stephen L. Buchwald wins 2026 Willard Gibbs Award

This prestigious honor has been awarded annually for over 100 years by the Chicago Section of the American Chemical Society.

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Ekua Beneman awarded Community Service Fellowship

Given by the MIT School of Science, this fellowship recognizes extraordinary service contributions of graduate students in support of their community.

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Chonghe Zhang smiles in an outdoor setting.

Chonghe Zhang Named 2026 ACS Inorganic Young Investigator

Zhang will showcase his award-winning research at the American Chemical Society's Division of Inorganic Chemistry Young Investigator Symposium this fall.

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MIT ranks No. 1 in 12 subject areas in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, the organization announced.

QS World University Rankings rates MIT No. 1 in 12 subjects for 2026

The Institute also ranks second in seven subject areas.

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Side by side headshots of Arup Chakraborty and James Collins.

Arup Chakraborty named 2026 Laureate of the Tel Aviv University International Prize in Biophysics

Chakraborty, alongside IMES Professor James J. Collins, has been honored for his long, distinguished career in physical science.

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Gang Liu smiles in his office among many machines.

Gang Liu to receive 2026 MIT Excellence Award

Chemistry Research Specialist Dr. Gang Liu was chosen as a winner in the category of Outstanding Contributor.

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An image depicting a relocated alcohol group on an organic molecule.

Researchers Develop Molecular Editing Tool to Relocate Alcohol Groups

This new technique will allow chemists to efficiently fine-tune the chemical structure of an organic molecule.

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Researchers detected statistically significant changes in global atmospheric temperatures in response to three major natural events: the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 (inset on left), the Australian wildfires in 2019-2020 (center), and the eruption of the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga in the South Pacific in 2022 (bottom right).

Study reveals climatic fingerprints of wildfires and volcanic eruptions

In research that could help elucidate humans’ role in global warming, scientists showed how three major natural events impacted global atmospheric temperatures.

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A man smiles in front of a glass periodic table of elements sculpture.

MIT faculty, alumni named 2026 Sloan Research Fellows

Annual award honors early-career researchers for creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments.

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Moungi Bawendi smiles in a conference room.

MIT community members elected to the National Academy of Engineering for 2026

Seven faculty members, along with 12 additional alumni, are honored for significant contributions to engineering research, practice, and education.

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Professor Tim Swager smiles in front of a map.

Timothy M. Swager to receive the 2026 Theodore Richards Medal

This prestigious honor is awarded biennially by the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society.

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Charles Casey smiles in front of a blue background

Charles Casey (1942–2025)

Charles "Chuck" Casey (PhD '67) passed away on December 21, 2025.

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