About Jim Hutchison — Dr. Jim Hutchison, the Knight Campus Senior Associate Vice President and The Lorry Lokey Chair in Chemistry, will describe breakthroughs in molecular design and share how his University of Oregon lab helped change the way chemistry is taught and applied and explore some of the ways he’s continued to help develop innovative research and educational programs at the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact  — from designing more sustainable products to using brewing as a framework for training the next generation of innovators.

A pioneer in green chemistry and nanoscience, Jim Hutchison has dedicated his career to developing safer, more sustainable chemical processes. His research has focused on engineering nanoparticles, materials thousands of times smaller than a human hair, for applications in electronics, biomedical technology, and high-performance textiles. His chemistry lab at the UO has long prioritized waste reduction and environmental safety, ensuring these innovations are both impactful and responsible. Hutchison’s work has been deployed worldwide, leading to the development of new products and technologies — including the well-known sustainable cleaning product, DeFunkify, which he helped create through Dune Sciences, the startup company he co-founded.

Beyond his research, Hutchison is a passionate advocate for innovative science education. He co-developed the nation’s first green chemistry curriculum for undergraduate organic chemistry labs and co-authored the first textbook on green organic chemistry. The discipline prioritizes removing harmful, toxic chemicals from teaching labs, replacing them with safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective alternatives. Now implemented in hundreds of teaching labs across the country, it has expanded access to chemistry education for schools and educators who previously lacked resources.

At the Knight Campus, Hutchison has played a key role in developing academic programs, including the Bioengineering PhD, Bioengineering minor, and the Brewing Innovation minor. The program blends science, engineering, history, and storytelling to explore the craft and science of beer making. Designed to immerse students in the innovation pipeline, the brewing innovation program takes ideas from concept to product, using beer as a hands-on model for real-world innovation.

With over 160 scientific publications, four National Academy of Sciences reports, and numerous national awards, Hutchison has pushed the boundaries of sustainable chemistry and science education. At Science Knight Out on May 1, Hutchison will share insights into his lab’s breakthroughs, and how he’s rethinking science education — from organic chemistry to brewing. 

*Starting at 5:30 pm, early arrivals are welcome to join us in the Cole Gallery (main venue entrance) prior to the lecture for an informal community networking opportunity. Beverages and cookies will be available for purchase. Doors to the lecture hall will open at 6:10 pm.

Please join the Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program during the tracks designated ceremony time on Sunday, June 15, at the Knight Campus.

• 1-2pm – KCGIP Polymers & Sensors Programs Commencement Ceremonies 
• 2:30-3:30pm – KCGIP Semi & Optics Programs Commencement Ceremonies
• 4-5pm – KCGIP Bioinformatics & Genomics Program Commencement Ceremony

Graduates please RSVP here by May 30, 2025.