Congratulations to our Faculty Members who have had their research recently featured on Journal Covers.

Delcamp Group

Fortenberry Group

Delcamp and Hammer Groups

Delcamp, Hammer, and Tschumper Groups

Delcamp Group

Fortenberry Group

Tschumper Group

The following joint Editorial by Melanie S. Sanford (University of Michigan Department of Chemistry) was recently published in ACS Central Science (DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c00784) and The Journal of the American Chemical Society (DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c06482) and does not necessarily represent the opinion of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

The chronic effects of institutionalized racism in America have been laid bare in recent weeks by murders caught on film as well as by the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black and LatinX people. Against this backdrop, last week Angewandte Chemie published (and then removed) an article entitled, “‘Organic synthesis—Where now?’ is 30 years old. A reflection on the current state of affairs”. It has been heartening to see the near unanimity of the chemistry community in condemning the archaic views about diversity, inclusion, and mentoring as well as the xenophobia expressed in this paper. This condemnation included a statement by Angewandte that “the values expressed in this piece do not reflect our values of fairness, trustworthiness, and social awareness”, denunciations from chemical societies around the world, the resignation of a large portion of the journal’s international advisory board, and an outpouring of criticism on social media.

However, from my perspective it is hard not to feel that some of the same people who are loudly condemning this piece are (at best) not doing enough to combat these systemic problems and (at worst) actively contributing to them. I encourage everyone in the field who has disavowed the views expressed in this article to ask themselves what they are actively doing to address them. Understand that nearly every one of your colleagues who is also a member of an underrepresented group (women, BIPOC) has been told at some point in their career that they only received a position, fellowship, award, or invitation because of their minority status. Maybe you have even said or thought something like this yourself. Or heard someone else say it without speaking up.

At this stage, words and condemnation are not enough. Actions are needed. If you recognize that a more diverse workforce enhances the field of chemistry, here are some examples of things that you can actually do:

1. Actively promote and advocate for women and underrepresented minority students, faculty, and co-workers. Consider this a priority in the same way that you consider it a priority to advocate for yourself and your close friends. For example:

Attend their talks and posters at scientific meetings and actively engage with their science. Talk to them about their scientific work, ask questions, and discuss their results.

Let them know if you liked their recent paper or presentation. An enthusiastic e-mail or phone call can have a tremendous impact at all career stages.

Nominate their work for coverage in press (e.g., for journal highlights, C&E News, Chemistry World, etc.). Women and researchers from underrepresented minority groups are frequently overlooked in press coverage of scientific work. If you see a great talk or read a great paper, let the press know in the same way that you would for your own work.

Nominate them for awards. Do not just assume that they have already been nominated by someone else. Even if they have, your endorsement and support is still meaningful.

Amplify their voices. When they make a point or ask an insightful question in a meeting, explicitly give them credit and repeat their message.

2. Lead by example. If you truly value diversity, work even harder to make sure that your team reflects your values. If you are a faculty member, use seminar visits and conferences to meet and actively recruit talented and diverse scientists to your group and as future faculty colleagues. Follow up and encourage the people that you meet to join your team or department. Proactively advocate within your department for hiring a diverse cohort of graduate students and faculty recruits.

3. Hiring a diverse team/set of colleagues is not enough. Active support and mentoring are crucial for the success of all scientists! Too often, I have heard other professors say that formal mentoring is a waste of time and that truly talented scientists will be successful without it. Scientists from majority groups take for granted the extensive mentorship that they receive from their colleagues just by being “part of the club”. Formal, informal, and meaningful mentoring for everyone is crucial for leveling the playing field and maximizing the success of all of the scientists in your group and department as well as in the chemistry community at large.

4. Speak up when you see or hear discriminatory words/actions or when you hear implicit biases coming into a discussion. Do not rely on members of underrepresented groups to raise these concerns. If they do, listen, support them and amplify their voices.

5. Educate yourself and your co-workers on the scientific literature that shows how systemic and insidious bias is in science. Some valuable resources on both explicit and implicit bias can be found here: https://advance.umich.edu/stride-readings/. Use these data to refute claims that science is purely a meritocracy, that the playing field is inherently equal for everyone, and that scientists are being hired/promoted solely on their merits.

6. For scientific editors (including those of us at ACS publications like the Journal of the American Chemical Society and ACS Central Science): realize that you often play a critical role in propagating inequities in science. Do not be complacent because your journal was not the one that published this specific piece. Carefully consider your procedures and processes with the following questions in mind:

What papers are being triaged, reviewed, and accepted in your journal? For example, what is the representation of women and underrepresented minority authors and reviewers at each stage? In many cases, these data will reveal that your journal and process is not as objective and unbiased as you think. Be transparent about these data and consider ways to fix any inequities that are revealed.

Who is appealing your editorial decisions, and how are you deciding whether to reconsider their manuscripts? In my own Associate Editor office at JACS, senior white male authors are among the most aggressive in appealing negative decisions. This has the potential to play a significant role in whose papers ultimately receive reconsideration and/or appear in a journal.

What articles are you recommending for press coverage? How do you choose which articles to highlight? Are specific authors (or demographics) disproportionately represented in press coverage from your journal?

This list is meant to provide a starting point for all of us as we work to support and promote the careers of diverse members of our community. I know that there are many other good ideas, and I welcome an open and continuing discussion of these moving forward. Again, actions not just words are required to tackle systemic inequities, and we all can and should be doing more. Now is the time to channel this Global outrage to ensure that the chemical sciences benefit from the contributions, talents, and creativity of all humans.

Views expressed in this editorial are those of the author and not necessarily the views of the ACS.

Three chemistry majors received health profession awards from the HPAO for the 2019-2020 academic year. 

OXFORD, Miss. – Six University of Mississippi students are recipients of the annual Omicron Delta Kappa Freshman Leadership Awards.  This number includes two chemistry majors.  The honors were created in 2010 to identify and recognize outstanding freshman leaders and community servants. Although the society was unable to present this year’s awards in person, each recipient was personally congratulated and featured on the organization’s social media accounts.

Jilkiah Bryant

This year’s award recipients from Chemistry are Jilkiah Bryant of Macon and Matthew Knerr of Paducah, Kentucky.  “We are fortunate to have such engaged students at the university,” said Ryan Upshaw, assistant dean for student services in the School of Engineering and ODK faculty adviser.

“Our society is excited to be able to recognize their outstanding contributions during their first year on campus. We also look forward to their potential membership in our society later in their college career.”

Previous recipients have gone on to serve in roles such as Associated Student Body president, Black Student Union president and Student Activities Association director. Several have been inducted into the university’s student Hall of Fame.

Matthew Knerr

Bryant is a chemistry major in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. She is participating in undergraduate research in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and is a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta health professions society. Bryant is also a Catalyzing Economic and Entrepreneurial Development Innovation Scholar with the McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement. She also serves as an Honors College ambassador and volunteers with Memory Makers.

Knerr is a Stamps Scholarship recipient and a biochemistry and psychology major. He is a member of the Honors College and Chancellor’s Leadership Class and works in Joshua Bloomekatz’s research lab in the Department of Biology. He is vice president of the Ole Miss Chess Club, president of Hill Country Roots and a peer mentor for ASB. He was selected to represent the university at the Naval Academy Science and Engineering Conference in Annapolis, Maryland. He recently was selected for membership in Lambda Sigma.

Recognized Chemistry Students 2019-2020

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry is proud to announce the names of undergraduate and graduate students who are recognized for their performance in courses and research over the recent school year.  Videos from some of your favorite professors announcing the names of the winners are posted here.  Click here for the complete list of recognized students.

General Chemistry – CLICK HERE!

Organic Chemistry – CLICK HERE!

Analytical Chemistry – CLICK HERE!

Physical Chemistry – CLICK HERE!

Forensic Chemistry – CLICK HERE!

Biochemistry – CLICK HERE!

Inorganic Chemistry – CLICK HERE!

Each Spring, the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Mississippi Recognizes Undergraduate and Graduate Students for their Performance in the Classroom and Research Lab

Graduate Students Research Areas:
Inorganic – CLICK HERE!
Analytical – CLICK HERE!
Biochemistry – CLICK HERE!
Organic – CLICK HERE!
Physical – CLICK HERE!

Student Members of the American Chemical Society (SMACS) 2020 Awards – CLICK HERE!

UM Hall of Fame: James “Trip” Johnson, Marie “Scout” Treadwell, Genevieve Verville

Taylor Medal Recipients: Margaret Baldwin, Abigail Barker, Amy Bracken, Reece Crumpler, Christopher Dorroh, Megan Gant, Sydney Hays, Summer Jefferson, James “Trip” Johnson, Chase Lance, Mallory Loe, Kristen Malloy, William Meador, Joy Myers, Micah Stewart

Seventy-Seventh Annual Honors & Awards Convocation

OXFORD, Miss. – Three University of Mississippi chemistry majors have been inducted into the university’s 2019-20 Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors afforded to students at UM.

The inductees were selected by a committee in accordance with policy developed by the Associated Student Body. Selections are based on outstanding contributions in all aspects of campus life.

This year’s Hall of Fame members from the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry are James “Trip” Johnson, of Dyersburg, Tennessee; Marie “Scout” Treadwell, of Dadeville, Alabama; and Genevieve Verville, of Montgomery, Alabama.

“The 2020 class of Hall of Fame inductees represents a wonderfully diverse, incredibly talented group of students who have each left an indelibly positive mark on the University of Mississippi,” said Brent Marsh, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the in-person Who’s Who Among Students and Hall of Fame ceremony to be cancelled, but the students participated in a Facebook Live Who’s Who ceremony followed by a private Hall of Fame celebration via Zoom.

James ‘Trip’ Johnson

A chemistry major, Johnson is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. He is an avid runner, and his hobby turned into passion when he participated in the 2019 Great 38 Race benefiting the Chucky Mullins Endowment. Besides his running pursuits, Johnson serves as student director of the Honors College Senate, president of Omicron Delta Kappa and the Columns Society new member education and alumni relations chairs. He has led as a Delta Psi Fraternity secretary, RebelTHON morale captain and Interfraternity Council Rho Alpha. Johnson is a recipient of the Taylor Medal and an inductee of Phi Kappa Phi.

Genevieve Verville

Verville is a chemistry major, published researcher, organic chemistry teaching assistant and supplemental instruction leader. Besides her scholastic accomplishments, she has served in leadership roles on the Associated Student Body, including external executive assistant to the president and Freshman Council mentor. Verville has worked with the Ole Miss Big Event on its executive board and both the Logistics and the Projects and Placements subcommittees. She is on the volunteer conference staff for National Model United Nations.

Marie ‘Scout’ Treadwell

A biochemistry major and a member of the Honors College, Treadwell has held numerous leadership positions. She served as president, vice president and social chairman of the Columns Society, vice president of administration and academic chairman of Delta Delta Delta sorority, an Ole Miss Ambassador and Leadership Council member. Treadwell has also been an active member of the Student Activities Association Pageants Committee, Mortar Board, the Ole Miss Big Event Logistics Executive Subcommittee and the Associated Student Body Freshman Council.