Chen elected to ACS colloid chemistry leadership 

Professor and Racheff Faculty Scholar Qian Chen of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has been elected to be vice chair of the American Chemical Society's Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry’s (COLL) Awards Committee, with her term beginning Jan.  1, 2026. 

Why it matters: The division has approximately 1,800 members worldwide, and the awards committee plays a crucial role in recognizing excellence across the international colloid and surface chemistry community.

“Qian is exceptionally well qualified because she brings first-hand experience with the division’s awards ecosystem—she has herself received all COLL research awards. This gives her a deep understanding of both the standards of excellence the Division seeks to recognize, and the impact these awards have on scientific careers. Combined with her strong scientific reputation and service record, this perspective makes her a thoughtful and credible voice on the awards committee.” -Ivan Racheff Professor Rosa Espinosa Marzal

The bigger picture: Chen is expected to be promoted to chair of the awards committee after a two-year term. She is one of two members of the Illinois materials department to be part of COLL, as Marzal was elected to serve as the new division chair in 2025 and begins her term at the start of 2026. 

Illinois Grainger Engineering Affiliations 

Qian Chen is an Illinois Grainger Engineering professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and is affiliated with the Materials Research Laboratory, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. She serves as an investigator for Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago and holds the Racheff Faculty Scholar appointment. 

Rosa M. Espinosa Marzal is  an Illinois Grainger Engineering professor with a joint position in the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and is affiliated with the Materials Research Laboratory and Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. She holds the Ivan Racheff Professor appointment.