We are pleased to announce that the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, one of the founding departments of UC San Diego, in the School of Physical Sciences, will now exist as two distinct, but closely aligned, departments: the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and the Department of Chemistry.
This transition recognizes the extraordinary growth, breadth and impact of the chemical and biochemical sciences at UC San Diego, allowing each department to build upon its own distinct strengths while preserving the deep collaborations that have long connected chemistry, biochemistry, biology, health science, engineering, environmental science and data science across our campus.
The creation of these departments follows consultation with campus leadership, the Academic Senate, academic deans, relevant department chairs and faculty. It reflects both national trends in the organization of chemistry and biochemistry and UC San Diego’s continued commitment to academic excellence, interdisciplinary discovery and student success.
The new Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics comprises 27 founding faculty members with wide-ranging expertise in biochemistry. Over the next several years, the department will continue to recruit outstanding faculty and graduate students and continue developing a robust undergraduate program.
The department will closely collaborate across the university, notably within the School of Physical Sciences and the School of Biological Sciences, as well as the Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy and Public Health. It will continue to pursue joint research visions supported by faculty hires in areas such as the use of artificial intelligence to analyze large biochemical data sets, pharmaceutical sciences and structural biology.
Professor and Presidential Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Neal K. Devaraj will lead the department as the inaugural chair.
The newly renamed Department of Chemistry comprises 48 faculty members whose research and teaching span the full breadth of the chemical sciences. The department will build on UC San Diego’s distinguished tradition in fundamental and applied chemistry while advancing a modern, unified vision for discovery, education and impact.
Chemistry is central to many of the defining challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, including sustainable energy, climate change, clean air and water, quantum science, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence and data-driven discovery. The Department of Chemistry will be positioned to lead in these areas by integrating strengths in many fields including synthesis, materials chemistry, chemical biology, physical chemistry, theoretical and computational chemistry, and atmospheric and environmental chemistry.
Professor Francesco Paesani will serve as chair of the Department of Chemistry beginning July 1. Under his leadership, the department will advance its vision of establishing UC San Diego as a global destination for chemical research and education.
Both departments will play a central role in educating students across UC San Diego by providing foundational instruction for thousands of undergraduate students each year while developing innovative curricula, experiential learning opportunities, research-informed teaching practices, and professional pathways for students and postdoctoral scholars. The departments will also strengthen connections to San Diego’s vibrant biotechnology, pharmaceutical and technology sectors, expanding opportunities for internships, workforce development, industry partnerships and career preparation.
Capitalizing on the substantial existing investment in structural, biochemical and biophysical research facilities, these new departments will share a unique consolidated administrative structure. Designed to maximize efficiency amid ongoing budget challenges, the shared administration serves the needs of these two large research and teaching units while promoting collaboration and best practices across all functional areas.
We are confident that, through these efforts, the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and the Department of Chemistry will grow in reputation and bring continued prestige to UC San Diego.
