The UNT College of Science is pleased to welcome Dr. Xin Cui to the UNT Chemistry department as one of their newest Associate Professors. Dr. Xin Cui's research group, which focuses on organic chemistry, catalysis, and medicinal chemistry, recently made the move from Mississippi State University to UNT.

"Research in our laboratory focuses on developing next-generation inorganic and organometallic catalysts, and their applications in synthetic and medicinal chemistry," said Dr. Cui, who earned his PhD in Organometallic and Organic Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China. "I am looking forward to helping students discover their strengths, build resilience, and achieve their goals for future success."

Dr. Cui's research and teaching have been recognized with numerous awards, including the NSF CAREER Award in 2020, the Thieme Chemistry Journals Award in 2020, the MSU Teaching Improvement and Innovation Award, and the Professional Staff Congress-City University of New York (PSC-CUNY) Research Award. He said he is impressed by the growth and research happening here at UNT and excited to get involved.

"In the UNT chemistry program, I am eager to explore new methods for synthesizing bioactive molecules and applying them to understand biological processes," he said. "My group is interested in organometallic and bio-inspired development of new patterns for bond activation and forming processes, as well as their applications for production of new biologically and pharmaceutically important molecules."

Dr. Cui will be teaching organic chemistry to our undergraduate students next semester and plans to teach graduate courses in catalysis and organic chemistry soon as well.

"I am passionate about teaching classes that guide students into the molecular world and prepare them for their future careers in molecular sciences," he said. "I hope to impart the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning."