Chemistry & Biochemistry Department

Transform Lives Through Molecular Discovery!

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Santa Clara University stands at the intersection of scientific excellence and social impact. We cultivate an academic environment where students don't just learn chemistry—they become chemists and biochemists who understand the world at the molecular level and harness this knowledge to address global challenges.

Our Impact Is Measurable

In 2025 alone, our department celebrated the achievements of 11 graduates who secured positions in prestigious PhD programs, innovative industry roles, and competitive medical schools. What fuels this exceptional success rate? High-impact undergraduate research experiences that transform students into scientists. This past year, 19 undergraduate researchers co-authored publications with six faculty members—a testament to our commitment to authentic scientific mentorship.

These immersive research experiences do more than build scientific knowledge. They cultivate a vibrant community where students develop critical professional skills: creative problem-solving, analytical thinking, effective communication, and the resilience necessary for careers in research and healthcare.

A Critical Moment for Scientific Education

While our department maintains a strong tradition of securing federal research funding, we face unprecedented challenges. Recent federal budget cuts and funding uncertainties threaten the undergraduate research programs that make our department exceptional—at precisely the moment when we're welcoming record numbers of students into our introductory chemistry courses.

Your Investment Creates Future Scientists

Your donation directly powers the next generation of scientific innovation. By supporting our department, you:

• Fund meaningful paid research positions that make scientific careers accessible to all students
• Enable talented students to present their research at prestigious national conferences
• Help maintain and acquire cutting-edge instrumentation that provides students with advanced technical skills sought by employers

Every contribution ensures that Bronco chemists and biochemists enter the workforce with exceptional hands-on experience, ready to make meaningful contributions to science, healthcare, and industry.

Invest in scientific excellence today. Help us transform curious students into confident scientists who will solve tomorrow's most pressing challenges.

Paul Abbyad
Chair and Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

"Working in a research lab has surrounded me with driven students who share my passion for chemistry, inspiring me to grow beyond what I thought was possible in the classroom."

– Gabi Edler, Class of 2027, Biochemistry major

"Federal funding for scientific research, primarily from agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), plays a crucial role in advancing knowledge while providing Santa Clara students with invaluable opportunities to participate in high-impact research. Significant budget cuts or uncertainties in federal funding can severely impact our faculty's research programs, which depend on stable financial support to conduct experiments planned months or even years in advance."

– Eric Tillman, Fletcher Jones Professor of Chemistry & Associate Provost for Research