Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Chemistry and chemical biology is the central science charting our path of inquiry, guiding us through our understanding of the world around us and revealing what is possible. As new generations of chemists harness the nature of matter, their discoveries will improve our health, our environment, and our lives.
Meet our Faculty
Browse all Chemistry and Chemistry Biology Faculty and Staff-
Gokce Altin Yavuzarslan
Gokce Altin Yavuzarslan’s research focuses on novel materials, 3D printing and advanced encapsulation systems. She received her PhD from the University of Washington in Molecular Engineering in 2024, working under the guidance of Prof. Alshakim Nelson on the design of polymers to fabricate genetically programmed engineered living materials. Her research group is interested in the […] -
Katia Zolotovsky
Katia Zolotovsky is an assistant professor at Northeastern University the Art + Design Department at the College of Arts, Media, and Design, with a joint appointment in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at the College of Science. She is an architect and a biologist and holds a PhD in Computation from the Massachusetts […] -
Owen Skinner
Dr. Skinner’s group uses mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and native proteomics to determine how metabolites and proteins interact in human health and disease. -
Jesse Peltier
Dr. Jesse Peltier is an assistant professor of chemistry and chemical biology and an affiliate faculty member in chemical engineering. He was awarded the AISES Most Promising Scientist award for 2024. The Peltier Group blends organic, inorganic, and materials chemistry to fabricate novel materials that address challenges in catalysis, energy, and sustainability. We aim to […] -
Thiago Monteiro Araujo dos Santos
Thiago Monteiro Araújo dos Santos finds the invisible world of microbes captivating. By figuring out how bacteria build their outer walls, he hopes to inhibit the process. Such interference may ultimately lead to new ways to stop deadly infections. Dr. Santos aims to uncover how some bacteria’s cellular machinery manufactures and installs stabilizing protein “bricks” […] -
Jing-Ke Weng
Jing-Ke Weng is the inaugural Director of Institute for Plant-Human Interface (IPHI) and a professor of chemistry and chemical biology, and bioengineering at Northeastern University. He was a member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and an Assistant and Associate Professor of Biology at MIT between 2013 and 2023. He was a Pioneer Postdoctoral […] -
Rebecca Sherbo
The Sherbo lab is looking for electrochemical and biological ways to make important chemical products like fuels, foods, and fertilizers from gases and renewable energy. -
Diego Alzate-Sanchez
I am an assistant professor in the Chemistry and Chemical Biology department. I started my independent career as part of the INVEST program at Northeastern University in 2022.I completed Master studies under the guidance of Professor Cesar Sierra at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and worked as a volcanologist afterwards. I moved to USA and […] -
Magda H. Barecka
In the Barecka Lab, we seek to provide technically feasible and economically viable solutions to one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century: the need for transition to carbon neutrality. To achieve this goal, we need to develop capabilities of recycling carbon dioxide and using it as a sustainable feedstock for production processes. Thus, […]
Research in Chemistry and Chemical Biology
The chemistry and chemical biology department supports six research areas of emphasis – bioanalytical chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biomaterials, energy storage, chemical biology, and theoretical biology.
Student Research Opportunities
Through research, our students develop a practical expertise and intellectual passion for their chosen field.
Undergraduate Research
- Beckman Scholars Program
- Summer REU
Shared Research Facilities
Our research facilities provide researchers and partners with access to instruments, technologies, services, expert consultation and more.
The Mass Spectrometry Facility is a laboratory space that houses state-of-the-art liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry instrumentation.
The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility maintains five NMR spectrometers for teaching and sponsored research
Postdoctoral Training Program
The Postdoctoral Research Program in the College of Science is personalized for each postdoctoral researcher’s needs and aspirations. In addition to rich research experiences with our faculty members, our postdocs have comprehensive professional development support for a variety of career paths.
Faculty Labs and Research
Browse all Chemistry and Chemical Biology ResearchInterested in working with us?
Chemistry and Chemical Biology Education
Undergraduate Majors
The BS in Chemistry is designed to give students both breadth and depth in chemistry foundations. During their course of study, students have an opportunity to develop qualitative and quantitative problem-solving skills as well as effective communication skills.
Combined Majors
The data science and chemistry major combines chemistry, information science, and mathematics to give students both breadth and depth in the fundamentals of both fields. Students will study the collection, manipulation, storage, retrieval, and computational analysis of chemical and other scientific data in its various forms, including numeric, textual, image, and video data from small to large volumes.
This combined major provides students with a strong scientific foundation and practical training for careers or advanced study in fields like toxicology, pollution, bioremediation, environmental protection, education, law, and others related to the chemical basis of the environment and global environmental change.
Undergraduate Minors
The minor in chemistry is designed students who would like a sound foundation in the theory and laboratory practice of chemistry.
The minor in environmental chemistry offers students interested in environmental sciences to better understadn teh chemistry of the environment.
MS Degree Programs
Biotechnology students receive didactic and practical knowledge in genomics, proteomics, and other bioanalytical approaches in drug discovery, development, and delivery, as well as in bioprocess development and optimization.
Chemistry, MS
The MS in Chemistry program offers concentrations in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, and in interdisciplinary fields such as polymers, materials, and biorelated chemistry.
Graduate Certificates Programs
Accelerated Programs
Our BS/MS PlusOne programs allow students to pursue advanced degrees in a condensed period of time.
Biotechnology, MS (PlusOne)
Biotechnology students receive didactic and practical knowledge in genomics, proteomics, and other bioanalytical approaches in drug discovery, development, and delivery, as well as in bioprocess development and optimization.
Chemistry, MS (PlusOne)
Biotechnology students receive didactic and practical knowledge in genomics, proteomics, and other bioanalytical approaches in drug discovery, development, and delivery, as well as in bioprocess development and optimization.
PhD Programs
This cross-disciplinary program in biophysics bridges the fields of physics, biology, and chemistry to explore living systems with a focus on the interactions of energy and matter across all scales of biological organization—from molecular to organismal levels.
Doctoral students in chemistry will have research opportunities in both theoretical and experimental chemistry and chemical biology. Areas of study include bioanalytical chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and energy research.
PhD students also have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Skills Session the summer before their first year to meet fellow PhD students, develop key skills, explore university resources and learn about post-PhD careers.
Explore interdisciplinary undergraduate programs
PreMed and PreHealth Track
Our PreMed and PreHealth Advising program offers personalized expertise to students pursuing health careers. This comprehensive program includes application guidance, workshops and presentations, course mapping and more.
Experiential Learning
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Cooperative Education
Our signature co-op program makes a Northeastern education more meaningful. With a combination of academics and field experience, students gain a deeper, real-world perspective while they explore career paths and prepare for the global workforce or graduate studies.
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Global Experiences
Northeastern University provides students with intercultural learning and transformative experiences. Through programs like Study Abroad, Dialogue of Civilizations, and opportunities to study at one of Northeastern’s global campuses, you will deepen your knowledge of the world and your chosen field of study, explore international career opportunities, and grow as a global individual.
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Entrepreneurship
Our Science Connects to Innovation Program empowers undergraduate science students through education, resources, and networks to create entrepreneurial solutions—spanning cleaner energy, eco-friendly pesticides, potential anticancer compounds, sustainable foods, and high-tech assistive devices.
Ready to apply?
Belonging and Engagement
The College of Science supports a culture where each person feels they belong, regardless of race, color, religion, religious creed, genetic information, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran or disability status. We celebrate the diversity of our community, and we seek to create a space where everyone belongs to further excellence. We commit to being a College where members act with respect, trust, collaboration, and communication, and where inappropriate behavior is reported and acted on without fear of retaliation.
Student Stories
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Student Spotlight
From Chemistry Club to Medical School: Paola Pimentel Torres Reflects on Her Northeastern Journey
Announcing the COS undergraduate student speaker, Paola Pimentel Torres! -
News
Northeastern students turn chem class into cosmetics lab, creating lip gloss, nail polish and more
A chemistry class taught by Leila Deravi, associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology, allowed students to develop their own personal care products after learning about the chemical composition and structure of such products. -
Student Spotlight
Sreenithi Giri Gogulan ’25, MS Biotechnology
Sreenithi Giri Gogulan ’25, biotechnology, shares her experiences as a COS student. -
Student Spotlight
Saranya Bhattacharyya ’25, MS Biotechnology
Saran Bhattacharyya ’25, biotechnology, shares her experiences as a COS student. -
Student Spotlight
Maya Kanj ’25, MS Biotechnology
Maya Kanj ’25, biotechnology, shares her experiences as a COS student. -
Student Spotlight
Luke Smith ’25, MS Biotechnology
Luke Smith ’25, biotechnology, shares his experience as a COS student. -
Student Spotlight
Izel Eler ’25, MS Biotechnology
Izel Eler ’25, MS biotechnology, shares her experiences as a COS student. -
Student Spotlight
Colby Geer ’25, Chemistry
Colby Geer ’25, chemistry, shares his experience as a COS student. -
Student Spotlight
Student Profile: Kayla Mathiowetz, Chemistry Major
Kayla Mathiowetz is a Chemistry Major on the Premed track. She is graduating in the Class of 2021. Why did you choose to study Chemistry at Northeastern? My dad works as a chemist at Pfizer, so I have been exposed to the field of Chemistry since I was a child and I was always interested […]
Upcoming events
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Chemistry in the News
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Research
Scientists make major breakthrough that rewrites the understanding of plant evolution
Northeastern researchers led by Dr. Jing-Ke Weng trace the evolutionary history of moonseed, capable of a chemical reaction previously thought to be impossible for plants. What they found could have implications for designing new drugs. -
News
What are phthalates and should you avoid them?
A lot of personal care products are advertising themselves as phthalate-free. Associate Professor Leila Deravi explains what this means. -
Research
What if sensors could spot plant stress in real time? These Northeastern researchers made it happen
Researchers at the Kostas Research Institute in Burlington developed sensors that will change color to indicate issues with a plant’s health. -
News
From Lego robots to forensic analysis, Northeastern gives Boston high school students a crash course in calculus and STEM
The Bridge to Calculus Program has been a smashing success, and over the past few years it has expanded. It now offers courses in physics, biology, chemistry and more. -
News
How safe is deodorant? FDA recalls more than 67,000 cases due to manufacturing issues
People are used to seeing recalls for foods like bologna or carrots. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently recalled more than 67,000 cases of Power Stick deodorant, citing “deviations from Current Good Manufacturing Practice” regulations. How did deodorants fall victim to recalls? It’s not clear exactly what happened, said Leila Deravi, an associate professor of chemistry and chemical […] -
Research
Northeastern researcher uses light to target and kill cancer cells
Fleury Augustin Nsole Biteghe has identified a way to target two of the deadliest cancer types with chemotherapy drugs but without the harms associated with chemotherapy. -
Research
Secrets of the dark genome could spark new drug discoveries, says Northeastern researcher
Since the Human Genome Project first produced the genetic instructions for a human being by sequencing DNA 22 years ago, scientists have been focused on roughly 2% of the genome producing proteins. But what about the rest? Northeastern University professor Sudhakaran Prabakaran says this “dark genome” is not only actively making “dark proteins,” but its secrets could […] -
Events
Building an ecosystem of excellence at the NOBCChE Collaborative Conference
National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers Collaborative Conference will be held at Northeastern and MIT on June 26-28. -
News
Are sunscreens toxic? Here is what you need to know to protect yourself from skin cancer
The sun is out, which means it’s time to protect your skin but is sunscreen toxic? Leila Deravi, associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology, helps answer some questions.