Dr Darryl Boyd

Departmental seminar was held on Jan 28th, 2022

Dr Darryl A. Boyd is a Research Chemist at the US Naval Research Lab (NRL) in Washington, DC working in the Optical Sciences Division.  He has a BS in Chemistry from the University of Michigan, and Master and Doctorate degrees from Purdue University in Biochemistry and Inorganic Chemistry, respectively.  He began working at NRL as a National Research Council postdoc.  His primary research focuses on the development of novel sulfur-based polymers that have unique optical properties, including unprecedented infrared transmission capabilities.  His research efforts have earned him recognitions that include winning the 2021 BEYA Admiral Michelle Howard Legacy Award, being named to the 2020 Class of ‘Distinguished Alumni’ for Purdue University’s College of Science, the 2019 National Academy of Engineering ‘Frontiers in Engineering Class,’ the 2019 SPIE Class of ‘Rising Researchers,’ and the 2018 Class of Chemical & Engineering News ‘Talented 12.’  Independent of his research job, for years Dr. Boyd has volunteered throughout the country, introducing grade school children to Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM).  This includes efforts through his science-focused YouTube Channel (search: Dr. Boyd The Chemist), and his company “Science Made Simple LLC.” 

Dr Yamuna Krishnan

Departmental seminar was held on Feb 4th, 2021

Dr Yamuna Krishnan is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago & Chief Science Officer for Esya Labs. She received her Bachelor's in Chemistry at the University of Madras before moving to the Indian Institute of Science for her Master's and PhD in Organic Chemistry. She was the recipient of the prestigious 1851 Fellowship for her postdoctoral studies at the University of Cambridge. She then returned to India and began an 8 year career at the National Center for Biological Sciences before taking a position with the University of Chicago in 2014. She has received numerous awards, most recently the Infosys Prize in 2017. Her work in DNA-bsed nanodevices has garnered her international attention and entrepreneurial prospects, highlighted by C&EN magazine.