Shoujun Xu Appointed Chair of the Department of Chemistry
Shoujun Xu, professor of chemistry, has been appointed chair of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, effective July 1, 2026.
Xu will succeed David Hoffman, who has led the department through a period of significant growth and rising national visibility. The two will work together in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition in leadership.
Xu’s research focuses on developing quantum sensing techniques for biophysics and low-field magnetic resonance imaging. His laboratory has pioneered innovative methods in quantum magnetometry that help reveal biomolecular motion, resolve noncovalent interactions, and measure protein mechanical forces.
As chair, Xu plans to strengthen student success across undergraduate and graduate programs, expand the department’s research impact and foster a collaborative culture among faculty, staff, and students.