DBC Undergraduate Award in Biochemistry or Chemical Biology

The award consists of a certificate signed by the division chair, a commemorative pin, and a letter of recognition from the ACS Division of Biochemistry and Chemical Biology. Awardees who are members of the American Chemical Society will also receive a 1 year (September to August) membership in the Division of Biochemistry and Chemical Biology; those who are not will receive Affiliate status, which grants them all of the benefits of membership in the division with the exception of voting, serving on committees, and eligibility for certain awards.

This award was established by the Division in 2024.

Departments of Chemistry or Biochemistry that offer ACS-approved Bachelor’s degrees programs in Biochemistry or Chemical Biology are invited to select their program’s top graduating senior student majoring in biochemistry or chemical biology for receipt of this award. This individual will have demonstrated excellence in a combination of coursework, research, service to the program, and a desire to pursue a career in biochemistry or chemical biology. Selection criteria are left to the nominating institution—no nomination letter is needed.

As the Division of Biochemistry and Chemical Biology shares ACS’ core values of diversity, equity, inclusion and respect, we encourage departments to consider a student’s trajectory through their program accounting for difficulties encountered by the student as it pertains to their race, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, gender identification, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or disabilities.

The student selected must be enrolled at the nominating institution for the 2024–2025 academic year. Nominating person can be either the Department Chair, the Biochemistry Program Director, or the Awards Coordinator. This individual will receive the pin and certificate to award to the student—we suggest that you recognize your award recipient during your institution’s senior award ceremony.

Nominations for 2024 awards are now closed.

Jen Heemstra
Immediate Past Chair &
Chair of the Awards Committee ‘25
Washington University in St. Louis
heemstra@wustl.edu