3 leading US chemistry universities pushing research forward

Chemical sciences have long driven progress across industries and improved quality of life globally. Today, chemists continue to tackle the grand challenges of our time, from medical treatments to environmental technologies. And as the world evolves, more are answering the call to make the world more sustainable and equitable. This means new approaches, like cleaner energy and better resource efficiency – for which chemists are key.

Progress is underway. The American Chemical Society’s 2024 Heroes of Chemistry have developed new ways to safely manage radioactive waste and advanced immune-mediated disease treatment, to name just two. Joining them and being part of this positive change all starts with the right education – like those offered by the following universities.

Chemistry students from Tulane University learn from 16 research faculty members and three lecturers who trained at leading universities. Source: Tulane University

Tulane University

Since its founding in 1834, Tulane University stood out for its academic excellence and innovation. A member of the Association of American Universities, it is home to a research-driven and interdisciplinary School of Science and Engineering that sparks curiosity and fuels an entrepreneurial mindset that is supported by Tulane’s Innovation Institute.

At the heart of the school is the Department of Chemistry. With undergraduate and graduate programs, the department offers the best of both worlds: the vast opportunities of a large university paired with the support of a close-knit academic community that paves the way for personalised research opportunities.

With a focus on sustainability and health, students and faculty here collaborate often to drive innovation and meaningful change. Projects span diverse areas, from developing novel spectroscopic techniques and enhancing small molecule catalysis to designing bioresponsive “smart” therapeutics.

For example, the Donahue Group and McSkimming Lab are pioneering advancements in catalysis for electrocatalytic hydrogen generation and finding cost-effective solutions for ammonia production. The department is expanding its focus on materials research and energy innovation as well. New Assistant Professor Daniel B. Straus is building a group focused on smart materials and Wenxiao Guo  is just beginning to establish a research group devoted to finding new approaches to carbon dioxide reduction.

Meanwhile, the antimicrobial resistance program is breaking new ground. Combining unique approaches to ion transport across membranes with 2DIR techniques, the Busschaert and Rubtsov research groups are addressing critical knowledge gaps that hinder drug development.  Additionally, the Grayson group is widely known for their unique use of dendrimers and polymers in creating new approaches to targeted drug delivery.

More hires are in progress to boost the department’s strengths ensuring Tulane University stays at the forefront of basic research and innovation and continue offering students opportunities that lead to jobs in industry, academia, and government research.

Rochester’s chemistry department’s research facilities are equipped with tools for spectroscopy, analysis, and computation. Source: University of Rochester

University of Rochester

As one of the leading private research universities in the US (#=236 in QS World University Rankings 2025), the University of Rochester has been a beacon of innovation since 1850. It has continually pushed boundaries, challenged norms, and turned visionary ideas into solutions that shape a better world.

This spirit of discovery is deeply ingrained in its Department of Chemistry. From bachelor’s degrees (BS and BA) to PhD programs and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the department prepares students with the skills and knowledge to lead in chemistry and related fields.

Chemistry students benefit from an academic environment that integrates traditional fields like analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, materials, and physical chemistry with interdisciplinary research and expert faculty. One example is Professor Kara L. Bren, whose research looks into how protein structure relates to function and dynamics. Her team also explores sustainable solutions for energy conversion through protein engineering.

Students can join global research initiatives as well, through collaborative projects in catalysis, theoretical chemistry, biological chemistry, and materials science. The Chemistry Research for Medicine and Energy (UR C-REU) is a summer research experience funded by the National Science Foundation. Over 10 months, UR C-REU fellows engage in research that hones essential skills in ethics, project management, scientific communication, and entrepreneurship. By combining academic rigor with practical skill-building, the program demonstrates Rochester’s holistic approach to preparing future leaders in science and its applications.

USC labs excel in organic, inorganic, chemical biology, experimental physical, and theoretical chemistry. Source: University of Southern California

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California’s (USC) Department of Chemistry in downtown Los Angeles is a centre of academic and research excellence. Home to over 30 active faculty members, the department supports a community of 250 undergraduates, 175 graduate students, and 50 postdoctoral associates. Its mission is clear: to train chemists at every level and prepare them for meaningful careers.

Undergraduate students benefit from a tailored curriculum, with majors ranging from traditional chemistry to biochemistry, chemical research, and nanoscience. Both undergraduate and graduate students have access to research opportunities across diverse areas, including organic synthesis, reaction catalysis, biochemistry and biophysics, materials chemistry, and ultrafast spectroscopy. This wide range of options allows students to align their studies with what they’d like to achieve in their career – for which there are a lot given they hold USC degrees.

This is due, in no small part, no how interdisciplinary the department is. Recognising chemistry as the “central science,” it collaborates with departments like Molecular and Computational Biology, Physics, Chemical Engineering, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. These partnerships fuel innovation in chemical and structural biology, drug discovery, energy research, materials science, and theoretical modelling of biological systems.

Faculty members actively contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives. Several are affiliated with the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Centre, an institution dedicated to understanding cancer’s origins, progression, and potential cures. Another example is the Centrefor New Technologies in Drug Discovery and Development (CNT3D). This research centre integrates synthetic and medicinal chemistry, structural biology, computational chemistry, and machine learning to revolutionise drug discovery and development. Together, these initiatives create an environment where students can find inspiration to excel in their majors.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International.