New CBC Faculty Spotlight: Pooja Ajayan

Let us welcome our new CBC faculty member, Pooja Ajayan!

Dr. Pooja Ajayan (she/her) joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as an Assistant Professor of Practice. She earned her Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of California, Riverside, where she also developed a strong passion for teaching and chemistry education. Before coming to Arizona, she was a postdoctoral fellow at North Dakota State University, where she focused on chemistry education research. Her research interests include green chemistry education and the development of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) in laboratory courses.

Pooja enjoys making chemistry accessible, engaging, and relevant to students’ everyday lives. She especially values creating a welcoming classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, collaborating with one another, and building confidence in chemistry. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, watching sunsets, and painting. She is excited to make Arizona her new home and become part of the UA community.