Alexei Demchenko, professor of chemistry at UMSL, is the recipient of the 2013 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in the category of Research and Creativity. (Photo by August Jennewein)
His outstanding record as a world-class researcher in the field of carbohydrate chemistry and biology has garnered Alexei Demchenko the 2013 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research and Creativity.
Demchenko, professor of chemistry at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a resident of Glen Carbon, Ill., will receive a plaque and $1,000 honorarium at the Chancellor’s State of the University Address on Sept. 26.
While the award is in his name, Demchenko said his research is a team effort.
“This award is a recognition to over 80 of my research trainees ranging from undergraduate students to post-doctoral fellows, who have significantly contributed to the overall success of my laboratory ‘Glycoworld.’ My special thanks go to my outstanding doctoral students and collaborators for their dedication, productivity and support.”
Since he joined the UMSL faculty in 2001, Demchenko has established himself as one of the university’s most prolific grant and publication writers, bringing in well over $3 million in grant funding, to date. He has filed two patents, and has more than 120 publications – 100 during his time at UMSL.
“Not only does Alexei have a highly productive and internationally recognized research program, he is energetic, a popular teacher, well regarded by his peers and committed to excellent service to the university and to his profession,” said Christopher Spilling, professor of chemistry and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UMSL.
Keith Stine, professor of chemistry at UMSL, has successfully collaborated with Demchenko and said he’s well deserving of the recognition.
“I have found him to be a thoughtful and ambitious collaborator who is 100 percent committed to making a joint project work,” Stine said. “He is a top star in our department, and at present he has our most prolific research group.”
While Demchenko has shown himself to be a highly successful researcher, he also takes his classroom responsibilities very seriously. He has taught a wide range of courses including the large sophomore organic chemistry lectures, organic lab, and a graduate special topics course in carbohydrate chemistry.
Demchenko graduated from Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia in Moscow with a diploma in chemical engineering. He earned a doctorate degree in organic chemistry from the Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow.
