Dr. Chris Jurgenson
Sullivan-Outlaw Professor of Biochemistry at Delta State University
The Mississippi Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is pleased to announce that Dr. Christopher T. Jurgenson, the Sullivan-Outlaw Professor of Biochemistry at Delta State University, has been elected as the 2026 Chair-Elect. Dr. Jurgenson has been a dedicated member of the ACS community and an advocate for advancing chemistry and chemistry education throughout the local section.
Dr. Jurgenson joined the faculty at Delta State University in 2013 and has since led impactful undergraduate research programs in structural biology, enzymology, and chemical education. His innovative teaching strategies have been supported by multiple Mississippi INBRE awards. His research interests span natural product biosynthesis and computational biochemistry.
A graduate of Indiana University with a B.S. in Biochemistry, Dr. Jurgenson began his career as an analytical chemist at Merck & Co., where he contributed to the FDA approval of the antibiotic Invanz®. He earned his Ph.D. in Biophysical Chemistry from Cornell University and completed postdoctoral training at Yale University.
Beyond his academic and research achievements, Dr. Jurgenson has demonstrated exceptional service to the scientific community. He currently serves as chair-elect of the Mississippi Emerging Research Institutions Council (MERIC), is a past vice-chair and chair of the Science Education Division of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences, and advises the Delta State University ACS student group.
Dr. Jurgenson and his wife are the parents of five children, with two currently attending college and three homeschooled. He is active in his local church, enjoys playing guitar, and spends time outdoors on long walks.
The Mississippi Section of ACS welcomes Dr. Jurgenson and looks forward to his leadership in fostering collaboration and advancing chemistry across our local section.