Events
Classrooms & Academic spaces are only available to academic departments and RSO's (Registered Student Organizations). Outside groups should be directed to the WMU Student Center (WMU Student Center Reservation) or Fetzer Center (Fetzer Center). For questions or to reserve a room in the Chemistry Building, please use the following link https://wmich.edu/registrar/students-reservationform.
The Department of Chemistry at Western Michigan University sponsors events each semester; faculty, staff, students and the general public are welcome to attend.
Fall 2026 Seminar Speakers
Monday, September 21, 2026, 4-5 p.m.
Dr. Hudson Beyzavi, Kalsec
Title: From Molecular Design to Real-World Impact: A Journey from Academia to Industry
Location: 1260 Chemistry Building
Monday, October 5, 2026, 4-5 p.m.
Dr. Elettra Piacentino, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Title: Exploring Chemistry During Star and Planet Formation
Location: 1260 Chemistry Building
Monday, October 19, 2026, 4-5 p.m.
Dr. Steven Sibener, University of Chicago
Title: On-Surface Chemical Dynamics Elucidated with Molecular Beam Scattering, Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and MD Simulations
Location: 1260 Chemistry Building
Monday, November 2, 2026, 4-5 p.m.
Dr. Alex Davies, Western Michigan University, Chemistry
Title: "3-in-1" Catalysis: Reimaging the Role of Photocatalysts in Synthesis
Location: 1260 Chemistry Building
Monday, November 16, 2026, 4-5 p.m.
Dr. Blakely Tresca, Kalamazoo College
Title: Sequence Controlled Isomerism and Self-Assembly of Peptoids
Location: 1260 Chemistry Building
Monday, December 7, 2026, 4-5 p.m.
Dr. James Bour, Wayne State University
Title: Framework Catalysis for Fine Chemical Synthesis
Location: 1260 Chemistry Building
Spring 2027 Seminar Speakers
Monday, January 25, 2027, 4-5 p.m.
Dr. Josie Nardo, Ohio State University
Title: Catalysts for Change: Cultivating a Culture for Chemistry Graduate Student Success
Location: 1260 Chemistry Building
Monday, February 1, 2027, 4-5 p.m.
Ed Eckel, Western Michigan University, Libraries
Title: Open Access in Chemistry: Toward a More Equitable Research Ecosystem
Location: 1260 Chemistry Building
Monday, February 15, 2027, 4-5 p.m.
Dr. Mercouri Kanatzidis, Northwestern University
Title: The Emergence of Perovskites in Solar Energy
Location: 1260 Chemistry Building
Monday, March 1, 2027, 4-5 p.m.
Micky Carignano, Western Michigan University, Libraries
Title: Finding and working with Chemistry Literature
Location: 1260 Chemistry Building
Monday, March 15, 2027, 4-5 p.m.
Dr. Abraham Badu-Tawiah, Ohio State University
Title: Programmable Multi-Step Reactions in Charged Microdroplets
Monday, March 29, 2027, 4-5 p.m.
Dr. Guarab Rimal, Western Michigan University, Physics
Title: Defects in novel epitaxial materials
Monday, April 12, 2027, 4-5 p.m.
Dr. John Montgomery, University of Michigan
Title: Catalytic Approaches to Carbonyl Additions through C-H Activation and Cross Electrophile Coupling
Location: 1260 Chemistry Building
Fall 2026 Thesis, Dissertations, and Literature Seminars
Spring 2027 Department Events
TBD
Spring 2027 Thesis, Dissertations, and Literature Seminars
For more information regarding speakers, location, or parking please contact Courtney Buckmaster at Courtney.Buckmaster@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2845.