Archives for October 2025
Hazari Celebrates 35th Anniversary of the Magic of Chemistry
This year’s National Chemistry Week marks the 35th anniversary of the interactive chemistry show The Magic of Chemistry. Created and performed by retired UT faculty member Al Hazari, the show has become a well-loved part of National Chemistry Week and so much more.
Primarily aimed at elementary and middle school students, National Chemistry week is an annual campaign sponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS) to promote the value of chemistry in everyday life.
National Chemistry Week began as National Chemistry Day in 1987. It was later expanded into a week-long celebration, but by then Hazari was already commemorating the annual event with his chemistry show.
Hazari joined the University of Tennessee in 1991 as the Director of Undergraduate Chemistry Labs and immediately began performing The Magic of Chemistry. Designed to engage and entertain younger audiences, the show demonstrates some of the principals of chemistry and science with experimentation, puns, and the occasional well-controlled flame.
The carefully choreographed performance has the feel of a magician’s stage show, which has made it a popular feature at community events and festivals in Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Harriman, and beyond. At its heart, Hazari’s show has always been about making science approachable.
“Everyone should know about science, be comfortable with science, and never stop being curious and inquisitive,” said Hazari. “My work helps people understand scientific topics, which allows them to make more informed decisions. I connect science with everyday life so they say ‘Ah, this is science.’”
Hazari’s show has evolved over the years, moving from what he calls “traditional lab chemicals” to more common items found in pantries and hardware stores. His supply lists include things like vegetable oil, food coloring, and Alka Seltzer.
Hazari’s favorite experiment in the show involves dumping a cup of water over a volunteer’s head. When the volunteer doesn’t get wet, Hazari reveals that the cup also contains sodium polyacrylate, which absorbs the water before it can pour out. Sodium polyacrylate is a superabsorbent chemical most commonly found in diapers.
However, the real magic in Hazari’s show is his incredible passion for science education. Hazari devoted his academic career to improving how science is taught. During his time at UT, Hazari taught both chemistry and science education courses. In 2009 he published Misconceptions in Chemistry, a book aimed at helping educators identify and overcome pre-existing misconceptions students may have about science and the natural world.
In 2000 he received the Helen M. Free Award from the ACS. This award recognizes members of the ACS for outstanding community outreach activities and improving recognition and appreciation for chemistry.
“I have always enjoyed teaching and sharing something of myself and my knowledge,” said Hazari, adding that his goal has always been to improve science literacy.
In service to that goal, Hazari performs dozens of shows each year at festivals, in public libraries, and at assisted living facilities. When COVID paused many of these activities, Hazari pivoted to Zoom without missing a step and closed out that summer’s Forensic Chemistry Camp with a virtual version of The Magic of Chemistry.
This year’s National Chemistry Week’s theme, The Hidden Life of Spices, seems tailor-made to Hazari’s mission to connect chemistry to the everyday. The 35th anniversary show will took place Wednesday, October 22nd and was open to the public, with around 75 attendees of all ages. As Hazari says “Chemistry is for everywhere, everyday, and for everyone, ages 2 to 102!”
Clark Receives NSF Early Career Award
Joseph Clark, assistant professor of chemistry, has received a National Science Foundation CAREER award for his work developing molecules that facilitate pharmaceutical drug design and evaluation.
Clark will receive $650,000 for his research into the use of tritium, the radioactive isotope of hydrogen, for the selective labeling of small molecules and drug candidates. Selective tritiation of drugs plays a critical role in determining how animals (including humans) metabolize them. Typically, scientists incorporate carbon-14 into the molecular structure of new drugs for FDA-mandated metabolic and safety testing; this isotope of carbon allows researchers to track the pathway and the behavior of drug molecules in the body without harming human subjects.
However, the worldwide supply of C-14 is produced primarily at one facility in Russia, and Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine has caused a worldwide shortage. The shortage poses a potential threat to all small-molecule drugs awaiting approval from regulatory authorities in the U.S. and Europe. Clark and his team will research the use of tritium as a mainstream alternative radiolabeling strategy, thereby reducing the reliance on C-14 for most clinical metabolism studies in humans.
“Tritium is more difficult to use because it sits on the periphery of a molecule, which makes it less stable, or more prone to metabolic oxidation,” Clark said. “My team will research how to add specific amounts of tritium at sites less prone to oxidation and how to measure the purity and structure of these molecules. The United States produces tritium for research and government use, and there are several international suppliers in North America and Europe; if we can make it the new gold standard for drug tracing, we can solve the C-14 crisis and develop new medications more quickly and less expensively.”
NSF created CAREER to recognize and support early-career faculty who can serve as role models in their institutions while advancing research that benefits their state and the nation. In addition to Clark, researchers Doowon Kim, assistant professor of computer science, and Joon Sue Lee, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, also received NSF CAREER awards for their work in designing phishing detectors and developing new materials for quantum technology, respectively.
“We are incredibly proud of this year’s recipients,” said Deb Crawford, vice chancellor for research, innovation, and economic development. “Their efforts will lead to groundbreaking discoveries and inspire students at all levels to experience the excitement and fulfillment of scientific exploration. Their work has significant state and national impact.”
Clark began his career at Marquette University, and joined the chemistry faculty at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2024. His research focuses on the development of selective transition metal-catalyzed reactions. Read more about Clark’s research here.