Jonathan Sweedler

Professor Jonathan Sweedler, holding the James R. Eiszner Family Chair in Chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, serves as Director of the School of Chemical Sciences and contributes to multiple departments including Neuroscience, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, and Bioengineering. He also maintains affiliations with the Beckman Institute of Science and Technology, the Institute of Genomic Biology, and the Center for Advanced Study.

• Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Arizona (1989)
• Postdoctoral research at Stanford University with Richard Zare and Richard Scheller (1989-1991)

His analytical neurochemistry research focuses on developing microanalytical tools for brain chemical analysis, particularly through small-volume mass spectrometry. His team characterizes neuroactive peptides, neurotransmitter cotransmission, and d-amino acid containing molecules in diverse organisms like honeybees, planarians, songbirds, and sea snails, working at the intersection of chemical sciences and neurobiology.

Recent publications demonstrate expertise in single-cell analysis, organelle-level chemistry, and neurochemical mapping. His research spans molecular neuroscience, neuroproteomics, and neurometabolomics with applications in addiction studies, learning/memory mechanisms, and microbial communication.

Major awards include:

• ANACHEM Award
• Malcolm E. Pruitt Award
• ACS Analytical Chemistry Award
• Ralph N. Adams Award
• Viktor Mutt Prize
• Gill Prize
• Multiple Power List recognitions

As Editor-in-Chief of Analytical Chemistry, Sweedler leads through 400+ peer-reviewed publications and 14 issued patents. He directs NIH-funded centers studying brain chemistry through neuroproteomics and neurometabolomics approaches.