Tulane School of Science and Engineering Announces New Leadership for Department of Chemistry

The Tulane University School of Science and Engineering has announced new leadership appointments for the Department of Chemistry, effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Bruce Gibb has been appointed as Chair of the Department of Chemistry, and Dr. Scott Grayson has been named Associate Chair.

Together, Gibb and Grayson bring complementary strengths, a shared vision for academic excellence, and a clear commitment to advancing research, education, and collegiality within the department.

"I am delighted to welcome Drs. Bruce Gibb and Scott Grayson into their new leadership roles," said Hridesh Rajan, Dean of the School of Science and Engineering. "Bruce is an internationally recognized scholar whose pioneering contributions to supramolecular chemistry and solution-phase molecular recognition have brought significant distinction to Tulane. His thoughtful leadership and deep commitment to mentorship position him exceptionally well to guide the department forward.”

"Scott is a highly accomplished chemist and educator, widely respected for his innovative work in polymer chemistry and his dedication to student success," Dean Rajan added. "He has consistently demonstrated strong organizational leadership and a collaborative spirit. I am confident that their joint leadership will help elevate Tulane Chemistry to new heights."

Guiding the 'Central Science' Into a New Era

For incoming Chair Dr. Bruce Gibb, accepting the nomination from his peers was both a considerable honor and an essential responsibility. While he notes that serving as chair can often be seen as an administrative task, he views it as vital to the department's ongoing vibrancy.

"The position is essential to the vitality and vibrancy of any department," Gibb noted, adding that his primary motivation stems from a desire to support the next generation of academic talent. "It's an opportunity to assist new faculty in getting their research programs up and running so they can become international leaders in their respective fields."

Gibb also sees the role as a way to broadly impact the more than one thousand students who pass through the department each year. He describes chemistry as the "central science" because it plays a foundational role across nearly all scientific disciplines, particularly for undergraduates pursuing early training in medicine. Under his leadership, navigating a period of transition will be a top priority. Following a number of recent faculty retirements, the department is currently undergoing a rebuilding program. Gibb envisions a future where at least four new tenure-track faculty members are established in cutting-edge research, enriching the teaching and research expertise across the entire department.

For Gibb, the department's core mission remains simple yet profound: creating new molecules and materials for the betterment of society.

"Everything that you can see, as well as the air around you that you cannot, is made of atoms," Gibb said. "Through chemistry, atoms can be combined to make new medicines to fight diseases such as cancer or combined to make new materials such as those which make computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices possible. Through chemistry, life expectancies have increased from 30 years to near 80, and the quality of life has been increased immeasurably."

Enhancing the Undergraduate Experience from Within

Working alongside Gibb is incoming Associate Chair Dr. Scott Grayson, who brings a uniquely personal perspective to the leadership team. Grayson holds the distinction of being the only current Chemistry faculty member who also attended Tulane as an undergraduate student. This deep, personal history heavily influenced his decision to step into administrative leadership.

While Grayson has long worked to ensure his graduate students leave Tulane with every possible advantage, his new role allows him to turn that same dedication toward the undergraduate population. He believes there are critical areas where the department can innovate to better serve these students.

"I am the only Chemistry faculty member who used to be a Tulane undergraduate, and this history is largely why I wanted to be the associate chair," Grayson explained. "I would like to ensure our undergraduates leave with as much advantage as I can offer."

To achieve this, Grayson is focusing on two primary initiatives. First, he aims to diversify the curriculum by introducing modern, specialized gateway courses alongside traditional tracks like General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. His proposed additions include specialized topics such as Archaeological Chemistry, Forensics, Food Chemistry, Cosmetics, Natural Products, and Astrochemistry.

Second, Grayson plans to foster closer, more meaningful interactions between faculty and undergraduates. By strengthening these community connections, he hopes to help undergraduate students clearly see the immense power and versatility that a background in chemistry can offer for their future careers.

With Gibb and Grayson at the helm, the Department of Chemistry is poised for a dynamic new chapter of growth. Their combined leadership pairs a forward-looking vision for cutting-edge research with a deeply rooted dedication to student success and modern curriculum design. As the department embarks on this period of strategic rebuilding, its new leaders remain steadfastly focused on fostering a collaborative community that champions innovation, supports emerging faculty, and prepares Tulane students to make lasting contributions to global science.