Daniel Falvey Named Chair of UMD’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Professor Daniel Falvey has been named chair of the University of Maryland’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, effective July 1, 2025. He has been a faculty member in the department since 1989.
“Dan’s long-term tenure in the department and his outstanding campus leadership experience make him an excellent candidate for chair,” said Amitabh Varshney, dean of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. “He is deeply committed to fostering the department’s vibrant culture and promoting the success of all students, staff and faculty members.”
As chair, Falvey will oversee a department with over 30 tenured/tenure-track faculty members and more than 400 undergraduate and 160 graduate students. Last year, the department secured over $20 million in sponsored research funding and opened a state-of-the-art Chemistry Building. The new 105,000-square-foot facility is a hub for quantum chemistry, molecular nanoscience and sustainability research.
“These are both challenging and exciting times,” Falvey said. “The challenge will be to maintain excellence in our research and teaching programs during a period of financial uncertainty. However, our new Chemistry Building and anticipated faculty retirements provide an exciting opportunity to recruit talented new faculty who will enhance the department’s contributions to the strategic goals of the college and the campus. I also look forward to enhancing our graduate and undergraduate programs in ways that will provide more opportunities for the excellent chemistry and biochemistry students we have here at Maryland.”
Falvey joined UMD as an assistant professor in 1989 and became a professor in 1999. He has served as the department’s associate chair for facilities and instruction since 2006 and spearheaded the development of the department’s new B.A. in chemistry program.
He runs an active research program in organic photochemistry, which has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and others. In his lab, Falvey studies the mechanisms of photochemical reactions and applies that knowledge to the design of useful systems for applications such as drug delivery and photoresponsive materials.
He has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, holds two patents, and mentored 40 graduate students and more than 40 undergraduate researchers.
Falvey has also served the campus community in many ways. He was elected chair of the University Senate (2017-18) and is currently the Senate parliamentarian. Falvey recently chaired the university’s Appointment, Rank, and Tenure Committee. He served on the Graduate Council (1998-2001); the Senate Academic Procedures and Standards Committee (2013-15); the Senate Programs, Curricula and Courses Committee (2009-12); the Provost's Task Force on Open Access (2011-12); and as a faculty senator (2005-08). He also chaired the Senate Faculty Affairs Committee and was a member of the Senate Executive Committee and the Committee on Committees.
He earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1988 and his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from North Dakota State University in 1983.
Falvey takes over from Janice Reutt-Robey, who has been department chair since 2013. During her tenure, she recruited 22 new faculty members (15 tenured/tenure-track and seven professional-track) to UMD and the department’s annual sponsored research funding doubled. Reutt-Robey also led the planning and construction for the new Chemistry Building that replaced wing one, as well as nine instructional laboratories in the Edward St. John Learning & Teaching Center and a Chemistry Commons space for students. She supported several faculty members who launched startups, revitalized the department’s shared equipment facilities, and helped secure over $2.5 million in philanthropic donations to endow spaces and lectures and provide student and faculty support.
Written by Abby Robinson
