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ÐÔ°®ÌìÌà is excited to announce chemistry professor Adam Urbach, Ph.D., has been named a 2023 Fellow of the —one of the most prestigious recognitions possible for U.S. scientists.

Urbach’s research areas include supramolecular chemistry, bio-organic chemistry, drug formulation, protein engineering, and biosensors. His research program has developed rules for predictably interacting with proteins, leading to applications in drug formulation, biosensors, surface chemistry, materials science, and nanoscience.

Chemistry professor Adam Urbach, Ph.D., has developed rules for predictably interacting with proteins, which has led to applications in drug formulation, biosensors, surface chemistry, materials science, and nanoscience.

Urbach is ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ's first AAAS fellow and represents one of the only fellows in his group to hail from a liberal arts institution. ÐÔ°®ÌìÌà takes pride in placing as much weight on teaching and mentoring undergraduate researchers as it does on research and publishing, setting undergraduate students on a course to discover and grow with depth and breadth across multiple disciplines.

"After 20 years, I still love what I do, and I'm still fully committed to ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ’s mission," Urbach says. "I have been fortunate to have outstanding students and colleagues, strong support from external funding agencies and from University administration, and some good luck in the research lab. This has been a great home, and I look forward to many more years at ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ."

Students in Urbach’s lab had access to hands-on chemistry research as early as their first year at ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ, including Hailey Taylor ’19, currently a chemistry research associate at EpiCypher, Inc.; and Zoheb Hirani '19, a Goldwater Scholar and current Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University.

"At the heart of ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ’s science education are the world-class faculty members who mentor undergraduate students in deep and creative inquiry, and Dr. Urbach is the epitome of such a scientist," says Megan Mustain, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ. "He is a brilliant researcher, an accomplished scholar, and a dedicated teacher and mentor who champions the liberal arts and sciences."

Urbach adds, "It was surprising to get the call from Dr. Peter Dorhout, former president of the American Chemical Society, who nominated me for the award, and it was humbling to be elected as a Fellow of the AAAS. For the Department of Chemistry, for the Semmes School of Science, and for ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ, it is terrific to have the recognition of the AAAS for the quality of the research taking place here, research being carried out primarily by undergraduate students."

AAAS Fellows carry a distinguished lifetime honor within the scientific community. This latest class comprises 502 scientists, engineers, and innovators across 24 AAAS disciplinary Sections. The overwhelmingly represent the fields of biological sciences, chemistry, medical sciences, and engineering. They are at the forefront of discussions about emerging technologies, semiconductor production, environmental issues, science education, innovative therapies, and more as the world grapples with societal concerns around these topics.

"As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the AAAS Fellows Program, AAAS is proud to recognize the newly elected individuals. This year’s class embodies scientific excellence, fosters trust in science throughout the communities they serve, and leads the next generation of scientists while advancing scientific achievements," said Sudip S. Parikh, Ph.D., AAAS chief executive officer and executive publisher of the Science family of journals. AAAS first launched this lifetime recognition in 1874, about 25 years after the association was founded. In its 150th year, the AAAS Fellows program is this new class.