Department of Biochemistry

Chair's Welcome

How do basic principles foster life? We believe the answer can be found at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and biology—in other words, biochemistry. The Department of Biochemistry at UC Riverside is dedicated to the elucidation of these principles. With our world-class faculty, enthusiastic graduate students, and promising undergraduates, we aim to sharpen minds and foster curiosity that lends itself to high-quality research. Our department, and the rest of UC Riverside, is in a current period of growth, and we would love for you to be a part of this positive change.

Biochemistry Faculty at UC Riverside specialize in a variety of subfields of biochemistry, including Structural Biology, Enzymology, Plant Biochemistry, and Biomedical Research. A strong dedication to interdepartmental collaboration and cooperation among faculty allows our graduate students the flexibility to pursue their interests. With an extensive group of cooperative faculty across the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Bourns School of Engineering, and the UCR School of Medicine, it is our hope that our students can work at the intersection of various fields to pursue cutting-edge research in their search for answers to the most fundamental principles of biology.

Our program hosts a large number of undergraduate students every year, who can choose a biochemistry major focused in chemistry, biology, or medical sciences. To encourage involvement in the field from students of all walks of life, UC Riverside offers various competitive research programs aimed toward minority and economically disadvantaged students. In addition, a high percentage of our undergraduates find that they qualify for student aid covering up to their entire tuition—because we believe that money should not bar anyone from seeking a higher education.

I hope that this website will serve as a helpful resource for potential or current students, staff, visiting scholars and donors.