Chemistry Communications

If you have any questions about the Chemistry website or communications, please email chemcomm@umn.edu. Your message will be received by Chemistry Communications Coordinator Melanie Lex.

Getting the word out: Sharing lab news

For graduate students and faculty members:

Publish a new research paper? Win an award? Participate in cool outreach? Learn how to get the word out about your news!

Sharing lab news: how? why? who? ▸

Writing about your research for Chemistry News

For graduate students and faculty members:

Learn how to collaborate with ChemComm successfully translate your research paper into an accessible Chemistry News story.

Document: Translating your research ▸

Announcing your defense!

For graduate students:

Ready to defend? Let the departmental community know by sending an email to CHEM-ALLUSERS@lists.umn.edu! You can also have your thesis defense added to the Chemsitry Seminar calendar by sending a request and details to chmsem@umn.edu, and make a poster for your defense using the template below.

Thesis defense poster template ▸

Google Slides, Google Docs, and posters

For all Chemistry community members:

Using correctly branded templates for official University business is a best practice.

Branded Template: Google Slides ▸
Branded Template: Research poster – Coming soon ▸
How-to: Using Google Docs Templates ▸

Continuing to build your skills

For all Chemistry community members:

Understanding why digital accessibility matters

For all Chemistry community members:

Meet your Communicator

The Department of Chemistry Communications Coordinator is Melanie Lex (she/they). She joined the department in October 2022. She has a professional background in photography, digital communications, and website design. Her office is 137 Smith Hall, and she works on campus Tuesday through Thursday.

On certain projects, Melanie works with collaborators from CSE Marketing & Communications and CSE IT. She may connect you with one of these experts if necessary.

Email anytime: chemcomm@umn.edu

Services

Departmental website updates and maintenance
Support for faculty website creation and maintenance
Newswriting: awards, research, outreach
Photography: events and headshots
Document formatting for event programs
Graphic design: event posters, lobby monitor announcements
Departmental social media management
Liasing with CSE and University Communications teams
Referrals to outside MarComm resources and services

Additional information

Melanie is a board member of the University of Minnesota Communicators Forum. Connect with her to learn more about UMCF!
The University hosts an annual science communication conference, typically in April. Visit the Speaking Science website to learn more.
Melanie serves on the Chemistry Web Committee, DEI Committee, and Strategic Communications Committee. Feel free to chat with her about ideas related to any of these committees.
Melanie has completed the UMN ECHO Certificate program. If you'd like to learn more about DEI learning opportunities at UMN, send her a note!