3M/Ronald A. Mitsch Lecture in Chemistry

The Impact of Crreative Adventures in Electrochemical Science

The Impact of Creative Adventures in Electrochemical Science

When: Friday, April 10, 2026, at 12:45 p.m.
Where: Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, 1531 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, MN

About the 2026 lecture

When asked about the usefulness of electricity and the discovery of the electric motor, Michael Faraday famously stated to the Prime Minister of England, “There is every possibility that you will soon be able to tax it.”

Many of the most important electrochemical technologies of the 21st century have similar origins in curiosity-driven fundamental science, without attention (or even awareness) of future large-scale applications. Examples include: (1) the discovery of electrochemically generated chemiluminescence, which is at the heart of medical immunoassay diagnostics employed in hospitals worldwide; (2) exploratory investigations of chemically-modified electrodes that led to the development of reliable implantable glucose sensors; (3) investigations of electrical conductivity switching in organic polymers that contributed significantly to the field of organic electronics.

This presentation discusses the importance of basic science in modern society by tracing a few examples of how initial, curiosity-based electrochemical science, followed by decades of development and engineering, has led to important biomedical and chemical technologies, each with annual sales of > $1B. Very recent examples of basic discoveries, e.g., electrochemistry of molecules in the gas phase, and autocatalytic electrochemical reactions of high-energy radicals, will also be presented, as well as their possible future applications.

About the 2026 guest lecturer

Henry S. White is a professor of chemistry at The University of Utah. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina in 1978 and his PhD in chemistry from The University of Texas in 1983. After completing postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he taught at the University of Minnesota. In 1993, he moved to The University of Utah, where he continues to teach and do research.

Professor White is an electrochemist, which means he studies chemical reactions that involve electricity. His work connects chemistry with biology, materials science, and physics. He has published more than 350 scientific papers and holds several patents. His current research focuses on making useful chemicals using electricity, studying very small gas bubbles, and understanding how electrons move during chemical reactions.

Professor White has received many honors for his work. He is a Fellow of the American Chemical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and he has won major awards from scientific organizations around the world.

In addition to his research, Professor White has held leadership roles at The University of Utah, including chair of the Department of Chemistry and dean of the College of Science. In 2025, he received the Rosenblatt Prize, the university’s highest award, recognizing his excellence in research, teaching, and service.

For more information about the lecture, please contact chemistry@hamline.edu.

Dr. Henry White, Henry S. White PhD, Professor of chemistry at The University of Utah

Henry S. White PhD
Distinguished professor of chemistry at The University of Utah

About the lectures

The 3M/Ronald A. Mitsch Lectures in Chemistry are part of the 3M/Ronald A. Mitsch Endowed Fund in Chemistry, established in 1998 by the 3M Foundation in recognition and appreciation of Dr. Mitsch. The fund promotes new connections and pioneering efforts between education and industry as an essential basis for the education of chemists who are prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century and beyond.

Past lectures

2025 “From Moving Atoms to Medicine: Exploring the Nanoscale World.” Paul S. Weiss PhD, distinguished professor of chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles
2024 “How Do You Make a Micro-Robot?” Thomas E. Mallouk, the Vagelos Professor in Energy Research and professor of chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania
2023 “Making Graphene and Cleaning the Environment in a Flash with Flash Joule Heating.” James Tour, the T. T. and W. F. Chao Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science and nanoengineering at Rice University
2022 “Surf, Sink, or Swim: Understanding Environmentally Important Processes at Water Surfaces.” Dr. Geraldine Richmond, presidential chair in science and professor of chemistry, University of Oregon
2021 “On Transformation of the Drug Discovery Process: A Talk in Three Parts.” Dr. Marti S. Head, University of Tennessee
2019 “Male Contraception: A Quest.” Dr. Gunda I. Georg, University of Minnesota
2018 “Illuminating Sugars, the 'Dark Matter' of the Cell Surface.” Dr. Carolyn R. Bertozzi, Stanford University
2017 “Meeting the Clean Energy Demand with Nanotechnology.” Prashant V. Kamat, University of Notre Dame
2016 “New Chemical Probe Technologies: Applications to Cancer Imaging and Drug Discovery.” Matthew Bogyo, Stanford University School of Medicine
2015 “Got Fakes? New Ways to Detect Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals.” Dr. Marya Lieberman, University of Notre Dame
2014 “Biological and Ecological Toxicity of Engineered Nanomaterials.” Dr. Christy L. Haynes, University of Minnesota
2013 “Recent Developments in the Peaceful Use of Chemistry: Eliminating the Chemical Weapons Threat.” Ambassador Robert Mikulak '64
2012 “From Toxicology Mechanisms to Translational Medicine: Paracelsus Meets Sarandib.” Dr. Daniel G. Baden, University of North Carolina at Wilmington
2009 “The Aging Brain and What We are Trying To Do About It.” Dr. Gregory A. Petsko, Brandeis University
2008 “The Golden Age of Pharmaceuticals.” Dr. Cynthia A. Maryanoff, Stanford University
2007 Dr. Richard N. Zare, Stanford University
2006 “Applications of Olefin Metathesis Catalysts: Fundamental Research to Commercial Products.” Dr. Robert H. Grubbs, California Institute of Technology
2005 Dr. JoAnne Stubbe, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2004 “Chemical Studies of Violence, Sex and Drugs in the Insect World.” Dr. Jerrold Meinwald, Cornell University

 

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