Show-Me State Times

Alexei Demchenko, Ph.D., chair of the chemistry department at Saint Louis University (SLU), has been named a Fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS) for 2025. The ACS awards this fellowship to members who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in science, contributions to the chemistry profession, and service to the society. This year, 36 individuals received the honor.

"This ACS Fellow membership is a well-deserved recognition,” said Gregory Tripplet, Ph.D., Oliver L. Parks Dean of SLU's School of Science and Engineering. “Alexei's research excellence has set him apart as he now stands with other accomplished fellows. Importantly,  this recognition is another example of SLU's faculty contributions to society.”

Demchenko joined SLU in 2021 and specializes in glycosciences, focusing on sugars and their biological functions. Over his career, he has produced significant scientific discoveries, published 235 peer-reviewed articles, secured $13.3 million in funding from federal and private sources, and received several honors.

The ACS fellowship also recognizes Demchenko’s efforts in integrating research with innovation, mentoring students and junior scientists—177 in total—higher education administration, service work, and collaboration with industry over his 24-year independent career at both UMSL and SLU.

“While I am proud of these accomplishments, it is my record of mentoring students and other junior scientists – 177 total – and building inclusive research teams, of which I am most proud, and which speaks to my strengths as a scientist and as a leader,”  Demchenko said. “This recognition goes to all of them. Our research has led to international collaborations around the world and to advancing innovations and discoveries in the growing field of glycoscience.”

The official citation for his selection highlighted Demchenko’s work on developing new methods for stereoselective glycosylation and automated technologies for glycan synthesis. It also recognized his distinguished teaching achievements and curriculum development in chemistry.

His involvement with ACS includes serving as an officer and chair within the Division of Carbohydrate Chemistry for 18 years.

“Through controlled, but transparent leadership, I have led our division to set records for membership; championed partnership with industry and sponsors; invested in excellence; grown resources to strengthen our award endowments; and worked on establishing unprecedented levels of accountability, diversity and transparency,” Demchenko said. “In this role, I served as a champion for helping the division increase equity and inclusion through direct engagement with underrepresented groups across disciplines and diversifying the Executive Committee cabinet.”

Demchenko has also held leadership roles beyond ACS. He served as president of the U.S. Advisory Committee for International Carbohydrate Symposia and currently acts as both president of that committee and National Representative for the USA at the International Carbohydrate Organization.