Professor Randall Goldsmith has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Award in Chemical Instrumentation, a national honor recognizing transformative contributions to the development and advancement of modern chemical instrumentation.
Presented annually by the American Chemical Society’s Division of Analytical Chemistry, the award highlights individuals whose achievements have significantly shaped the field through pioneering instrument design, innovative measurement strategies, authorship, or leadership that inspires the broader analytical sciences community. According to ACS, honorees are recognized for advancing chemical instrumentation in ways that have meaningful scientific impact—ranging from conceptual breakthroughs to technologies that redefine how chemical data can be collected and understood.
A Leader in Single‑Molecule Measurement Science
Professor Randall Goldsmith, a faculty member in the UW–Madison Department of Chemistry, is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work in single‑molecule spectroscopy—a research area that allows scientists to observe individual molecules in real time, revealing dynamic behaviors that are impossible to detect using ensemble‑averaged methods.
Goldsmith’s laboratory develops cutting‑edge techniques that blend fluorescence microscopy, nanophotonics, and chemical synthesis to tackle complex and societally relevant problems in chemistry, biophysics, and materials science. His work opens new windows into molecular heterogeneity, reaction mechanisms, and nanoscale structure–function relationships.
One major focus of the Goldsmith Group is the study of homogeneous catalysis, where reactions rely on intricate sequences of electron transfers, bond‑forming steps, and transient intermediates. Using single‑molecule tools, Goldsmith’s team reveals previously inaccessible catalytic behavior—including rare or unsynchronized events—providing mechanistic insights that could accelerate the development of greener, more efficient catalysts.
The group also investigates electronic properties of conjugated polymers, materials central to emerging organic photovoltaic technologies. Their single‑molecule measurements allow researchers to map energetic disorder and understand how nanoscale structural variations impact macroscopic device performance. Additionally, the lab explores protein conformational dynamics, providing new perspectives on biomolecular folding and function.
Advancing the Future of Chemical Instrumentation
Goldsmith’s research not only expands scientific understanding but directly contributes to the development of new analytical tools. His work with photonic micro‑ and nanostructures, including optical microresonators and photonic crystals, is redefining how scientists interact with and measure light–matter interactions at the molecular level. These innovations create new platforms for precision spectroscopy, offering applications across fundamental physics, analytical chemistry, and materials science.
Because the ACS Chemical Instrumentation Award specifically recognizes individuals who drive such technological breakthroughs, Goldsmith’s selection underscores the national significance of his contributions.
A Prestigious Recognition
The ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry will present the award at its annual ceremony, traditionally held during the ACS Fall National Meeting. Winners receive a plaque and a monetary prize, and the honor places Goldsmith among an accomplished cohort of scientists whose work has shaped the trajectory of analytical instrumentation for decades.
About Professor Randall Goldsmith
Professor Goldsmith earned his B.A. from Cornell University and Ph.D. from Northwestern University before completing postdoctoral research at Stanford University. At UW–Madison, he leads an interdisciplinary research group that builds instruments, designs molecular systems, and integrates physics, chemistry, and engineering approaches to push the boundaries of molecular measurement science.