Mission Statement

Our goal is to provide rigorous training in Chemistry and Biochemistry for undergraduate and graduate students, to integrate leadership, mentoring, curiosity and creativity, inclusion, the scientific method, and the belief that an ethical application of chemistry, the central science, can benefit the world for the greater good.

About the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Our Faculty 

 10/31/2024: In Memory of Professor Emeritus Horst Schulz 

The Division of Science is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Emeritus Horst Schulz, a pioneering biochemist whose research on fatty acid metabolism was instrumental in advancing our understanding of the health risks associated with trans fats. Professor Schulz passed away on October 15. (Read More Here)

11/01/2023: Dr. Kevin Gardner and Dr. Ruth Stark received a National Institute of Health (NIH) grant to build a helium recycler for the City College of New York and the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) at CCNY. Why is this important? Helium is a finite resource used in MRIs and a lot of scientific research. With the price of helium rising over the past few years, the impact on the medical and scientific community was becoming a concern. 

More Faculty News 

Our Students

The Spring 2024 Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Research Symposium was held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The students presenting their research were Koreena Sookhai, Christopher Manohar, Joshua Pagan, Jefferson Estrada, Aya Sara Elwassif, Ramisha Aymon, Darren Zheng, Cory Weng, and Tanvin Farjana.

2024 Chemistry and Biochemistry Ward Medal Winner

Hi! I’m Jack Ryan. I majored in chemistry at City College, and I’m hoping to work in climate science in the near future. While at CCNY I was a tutor in the CCAPP science and math tutoring office, where I helped students with their studies in Bio 101, Chem 103, and Chem 104. I was also a member of the CCNY Ice Hockey Club, the Baskerville Chemical Society, and the Latin American Engineering Student Association. The friendships made in my club involvements at City College will last a lifetime. In the Division of Science, I had the privilege of taking classes led by professors like Fardad Firooznia, Glen Kowach, Kevin Gardner, Sean Boson, and many other professors who I learned a lot from. I’m going to miss attending their lectures and office hours.

In the summer before my junior year, I had the opportunity to perform research in Professor Kevin Ryan’s laboratory as part of the CUNY STEM communities research program, where I learned a great deal about molecular biology protocols like agarose gel electrophoresis, molecular cloning, and DNA sequencing, and also about maintaining an organized bench area and lab notebook. I’m extremely grateful to Professor Ryan for the opportunity to work in his lab.

I’m currently a substitute teacher at a New York public high school, where I get to help students with all kinds of math and science material.

Contact Information

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Marshak Science Building
Room 1024

p: 212.650.8402
f:  212.650.6107
e: chemdept@ccny.cuny.edu

STEPHEN O'BRIEN, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair

SEAN BOSON, Ph.D.
Vice-Chair

ISSA SALAME, Ph.D.
Vice-Chair

DENISE ADDISON, HEO
Department Administrator  

Office Hours

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry has regular office hours in Marshak Hall, Room 1024 on the following days:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9:30am - 6:00pm
Wednesday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Friday: 10:00am - 5:00pm