The WPI Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry (CBC) offers an interdisciplinary culture, a focus on practical problem solving, and a close one-on-one mentorship from world-class faculty that put students at the center of groundbreaking research impacting human health, society, and environment.
Our programs balance rigorous theory with practical applications, equipping students with the hands-on experience and innovative mindset that prepares them to solve real-world problems with ease. Students collaborate with faculty members and industry professionals in state-of- the-art facilities like our Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, a thriving research and business complex that promotes interdisciplinary research.
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Toxic proteins are at the root of many diseases, so pharmaceutical companies look for compounds called ligands that will bind tightly to these proteins and deactivate them. George Kaminski, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has developed powerful new computational tools that will make the search faster and more precise.
A Jamaican-born biochemistry student finds that WPI's project-based curriculum suits his hands-on learning style.
Biochemistry and bioinformatics student plans to take what she’s learned at WPI back home to the Dominican Republic and start her own lab.
At WPI, Whitney pursues a broad array of outside interests while gaining the perfect preparation for medical school.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) has accredited the Chemistry & Biochemistry department for a major in chemistry. The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) has accredited the Chemistry & Biochemistry department for a major in biochemistry.
Today’s fast-paced research requires chemists and biochemists who can hit the ground running. With their emphasis on hands-on learning and practical applications, WPI’s Chemistry & Biochemistry programs prepare students to transition seamlessly to meet such real-world challenges. Our graduates can be found everywhere, from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and academia.
Suzanne Scarlata, the inaugural Richard T. Whitcomb Professor of Biochemistry, is president of the Biophysical Society, with over 9,000 global members. Her goals in the new role include efforts to establish a more stable U.S. research funding system, spreading the word about the biochemical and physical science realm of WPI, and forging more community collaborations with groups like UMass Medical School.
The Worcester Business Journal reported on research by Carissa Perez Olsen, the Leonard P. Kinnicutt Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, on how lipids in our bodies and cell membranes affect aging and long-term health.
Robert Dempski, associate professor of chemistry & biochemistry, wrote an op-ed on keeping the door open to international scientific collaboration for the Telegram & Gazette.
