# Improving Outcomes, Transforming Society

**Source**: https://chem.yale.edu/
**Parent**: https://chem.yale.edu/posts/2026-01-26-from-dark-days-of-hiv-aids-advances-in-aza-sulfur-chemistry-enable-breakthrough

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# Improving Outcomes, Transforming Society

# Home

Chemistry has significantly improved our quality of life in the past century. As we address today’s challenges — like utilizing sustainable energy sources, targeted medications, and quantum technologies — chemistry will be critical. Yale Chemistry is a community of ~400 people dedicated to research and teaching. Our undergraduate majors, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers conduct world-leading research alongside faculty experts and subsequently pursue either graduate study in chemistry or careers in academia and industry.

## News

- ### [Study on DNA-water interactions in drug binding recognized in prestigious journal collection](/posts/2026-02-19-study-on-dna-water-interactions-in-drug-binding-recognized-in-prestigious-journal)

  February 19, 2026

  Research sheds light on interactions between drug molecules and water molecules surrounding DNA, offering insights for designing DNA-targeted drugs.

- ### [RNA, Reimagined: The Nobel Discovery That Still Shapes Science Today](https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/rna-reimagined/)

  February 24, 2026

  In 1989, Yale scientist Sidney Altman proved that RNA can act as an enzyme—a discovery that reshaped modern molecular science.
- ### [A method for methanol](/posts/2026-02-18-a-method-for-methanol)

  February 18, 2026

  Chemists have developed a novel, scalable approach to converting methane into methanol under mild, light-driven conditions.
- ### [Seth Herzon and David Spiegel receive project support from Blavatnik Fund for Innovation](https://ventures.yale.edu/news/blavatnik-fund-innovation-yale-support-12-life-sciences-projects-2026-spanning-oncology)

  February 15, 2026

  They will receive funding to support projects for developing therapeutics for cancer and other diseases.

### In the Media

[**Lab Manager**](https://www.labmanager.com/yale-launches-ai-platform-that-generates-experimental-chemistry-protocols-34903)\
The Yale-developed MOSAIC platform uses artificial intelligence to create an experimental chemistry procedure.

[**ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters**](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00709)\
An editorial recognizes the efforts of William Jorgensen, who has helped shape the journal over the years.

[**Hartford Courant**](https://www.courant.com/2026/01/27/for-families-battling-an-aggressive-and-deadly-cancer-ct-discovery-brings-hope/)\
Yale researchers launched a spinout company in 2021 to develop a novel drug for glioblastomas, a highly aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer.

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## Academic & Training Programs

- ## [Undergraduate Studies](/academics/undergraduate-chemistry-at-yale)

  The B.A. or B.S. degree in chemistry prepares students for further studies in chemistry, biochemistry, or health-related disciplines, and provides broad scientific training.
- ## [Post-Baccalaureate Research Program](/academics/chemistry-post-baccalaureate-research-education-programs)

  An opportunity for recent college undergraduates from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to gain research and clinical experience at Yale.
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  The Ph.D. degree is designed to prepare students for a career in scientific research with the tools they need to succeed.
- ## [Postdoctoral Studies](/academics/postdoctoral-studies)

  The Department of Chemistry’s diverse research programs welcome postdoctoral scholars from around the world.

## Research Spotlight

## Featured Researcher: James Mayer

Colloidal Hexagonal Tungsten Oxide Nanorods: Synthesis, Characterization, and Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer

Noah J. Gibson, Giovanny A. Parada, Brandon Q. Mercado, and James M. Mayer

[Read in the journal of Inorganic Chemistry.](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5c06029)
[About Professor Mayer's research](/profile/james-mayer)

## Upcoming Events

- ### [Thesis Defense: Alexa Williams](/events/2026-03-09-thesis-defense-alexa-williams)

  March 9, 2026 3:00 pm—4:30 pm
- ### [Thesis Defense: Noah Gibson](/events/2026-03-10-thesis-defense-noah-gibson)

  March 10, 2026 10:00 am—11:30 am
- ### [Thesis Defense: Yanyu Zhao](/events/2026-03-10-thesis-defense-yanyu-zhao)

  March 10, 2026 10:00 am—11:00 am
- ### [Thesis Defense: Delmar G. A. Cabral](/events/2026-03-13-thesis-defense-delmar-g-a-cabral)

  March 13, 2026 1:00 pm—2:30 pm
- ### [2025-2026 Chemical Biology Research-In-Progress Talks](/events/2025-09-15-2025-2026-chemical-biology-research-in-progress-talks)

  March 16, 2026 12:00 pm—1:00 pm

  (multi-day event)

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  We are committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment. Learn about our community and support networks.
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