Take Part in Advanced Research, Scientific Breakthroughs & Discoveries That Benefit Society
The department of Chemistry and Biochemistry provides a personal, attentive environment where students can develop and pursue a flexible program of study designed to fulfill individual interests and needs. We are a community of faculty, staff, students and alumni dedicated to excellence in chemical education. Through cutting-edge education, research and community impact- you will attain a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge and laboratory skills necessary for careers in industry, forensics, academia, as well as graduate education in chemistry, biochemistry, medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry.
Faculty and Staff
Mihaela Rita Mihailescu, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Jennifer Aitken, Ph.D.
Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Bruce Beaver, Ph.D.
Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Scott Boesch
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Michael Cascio, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Jeffery Evanseck, Ph.D.
Professor, Lambert F. Minucci Endowed Chair in Engineering and Computational Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Timothy Evans, Ph.D.
Co-Coordinator of the Organic Chemistry Laboratories, Co-Advisor of the American Chemical Society Student Affiliates, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Ellen Gawalt, Ph.D.
Dean, Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Hillman Distinguished Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Skip Kingston, Ph.D.
Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Paul Lummis, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Thomas Montgomery, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Alicia Paterno Parsi, Ph.D.
Teaching Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
David Seybert, Ph.D.
Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Emily Sylvester, Ph.D.
Teaching Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Stephanie J. Wetzel, Ph.D.
Teaching Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Nithya Vaidyanathan, Ph.D.
Stockroom Manager, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Tina Vowcheck
Financial Coordinator, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Jingyun Ye, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Michael Van Stipdonk, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Explore our degrees and programs
Hear from a student
I didn't anticipate how close the Chemistry and Biochemistry cohorts would be. The small class sizes made me feel comfortable asking questions about material I didn't full understand in upper-level courses. I was impressed by my professor's willingness to help and the undergraduate research opportunities available. I have the freedom to work on my own research projects and the guidance to work through problems when needed.
Navigate your own path to discovery
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Apply for undergraduate research positions in chemistry and biochemistry.
Top-ranked Ph.D. program
Our Ph.D. program is nationally ranked, #6 in "Student Support and Outcomes" and #35 in "Program Diversity."
Pre-Health Professions Track
The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry-Health Professions Track prepares students for careers in the health sciences.
ACS Student Organization
The ACS Student Organization organizes outreach projects on-and-off campus and acts as an active support network for its members. All members receive a free National ACS Membership.
4+1 B.S./M.S. in Chemistry
The accelerated 4+1 program allows students to earn an undergraduate and graduate degree in five years.
Research Facilities
Our state-of-the-art research facilities house a variety of modern chemical instrumentation that is available for use by all trained graduate and undergraduate students.
Duquesne - Pittsburgh Connection
Students regularly publish their results in scientific journals and present at regional and national meetings, where many have gone on to receive awards and recognition for their work.
As part of the Undergraduate Research Program, students participate in ten weeks of research, community engagement, and a research symposium.
90%knowledge retention rate through experiential learning.
Undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry students actively engage in community service activities.
Our chemistry and biochemistry network of alumni and industry partners are working in various sectors are ready to help you meet other scientists and seek out career opportunities.
$70kMedian average salary for entry level Chemist in Pittsburgh, PA.
90%of our undergraduates who apply to medical or graduate school are accepted.
Undergraduate Research Program Information
BSNES Undergraduate Research Experience
- The summer undergraduate research program is a selective program based on application.
The students will be selected based on academic and previous lab experience and potential. - Undergraduate research positions are available in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental science, forensic science and law, and physics.
- Students are required to fill out the application below, provide one letter of recommendation from a Duquesne faculty and their Duquesne transcript.
- We will begin reviewing applications on February 26th, 2023.
- This program is only open to Duquesne students.
Pain Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) and/or Neurodegenerative (NURE) Undergraduate Research Experience
- Duquesne University welcome undergraduate biology, pharmacy, chemistry, biochemistry, psychology, and health science majors interested in pain and/or neuroscience research to apply to the Pain Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) and/or Neurodegenerative Undergraduate Research Experience (NURE) summer programs.
- We will begin reviewing applications on February 26th, 2023.
- Contact Dr. Michael Cascio for more information.
- These programs are currently funded through a National Institutes of Health NINDS R25 Summer Research Experience Grant and have been funded previously by the generous support of the Duquesne University Charles Henry Leach II Fund and the Duquesne Office of the Provost.
Integrated Computational and Experimental Chemistry NSF-REU Program.
- Undergraduate biochemistry and chemistry majors are invited to apply to the Integrated Computational and Experimental Chemistry NSF-REU Program.
- We will begin reviewing applications on February 26th, 2023.
- This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense's Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Education (ASSURE) program in collaboration with the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) program.
Questions? Contact Us!
Rita Mihailescu, Ph.D.