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Message from the Chair

Welcome to our Friends and Alumni!

What an exciting year this has been for the Department of Chemistry! The new Richard and Barbara Silverman Hall for Molecular Therapeutics and Diagnostics opened in December 2009 and is now a home for researchers that collaborate in biomedical research. The National Research Council recently ranked Northwestern Chemistry in the top five Chemistry Departments nationally and we have had a record number of students winning prestigious awards. Two of our Chemistry Faculty members, Chad Mirkin and Rick VanDuyne, were named to the National Academy of Sciences. Their pioneering research is a continuation of the legacy of research excellence that NU chemistry cherishes. Having world-class scholars in our midst is a source of tremendous pride for the entire community and we are thrilled that Rick and Chad have been recognized with this significant honor.

Chemistry at Northwestern would be nothing without the brilliant PhD students and postdocs working in our research groups. There are more PhD students and postdocs at Northwestern than at any other chemistry department at a private university in the country. In fact, Northwestern is now home to the largest population of chemistry PhD students and postdocs after UC Berkeley. This continuation of Northwestern's being the preferred place to earn a PhD in chemistry forms the basis for a vibrant chemistry department that is characterized by a lively and close network of chemistry faculty, students, and scholars.

All of this success is centered on the department's traditions of collaboration, cooperation, and not taking ourselves too seriously. Our students today carry on the proud tradition of Northwestern Chemistry. Our alumni are leaders in academia, industry and government and we are very proud of you! Please stay in touch with the department. We love to hear from you. As always, we welcome any volunteers who wish to mentor current students or who have suggestions for alumni events. We appreciate your feedback, so please contact us if you have a question or concern.

Best regards,

Mark Ratner, Chair

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