Elias Picazo
University of Southern California
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
W.M. Keck Scholar
Associate Member of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Member of the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute
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Harvard University
NIH K99/R00 Postdoctoral Fellow (2021)
Advisor: Eric N. Jacobsen
University of California, Los Angeles
Ph.D. in Chemistry (2018)
NIH F31 Fellow
Advisor: Neil K. Garg
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University of California, Santa Barbara
B.S. in Chemistry, Math (2013)
UC LEADS Fellow
Advisor: Armen Zakarian
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About Elias
Elias was born and raised in California. He studied chemistry and math at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). At UCSB, Elias performed undergraduate research with Armen Zakarian. Upon completing his undergraduate studies, Elias moved to Los Angeles to study with Neil Garg at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In 2018, Elias completed his doctoral studies and left California to study with Eric Jacobsen at Harvard University. Over the years, Elias has gained expertise in bioactive molecule synthesis, catalysis, and reaction development. Now Elias is back in California aiming to develop interesting reactions and to efficiently synthesize molecules of interest, including light-responsive small molecules and therapeutics. Students interested in research are encouraged to reach out.
Funding, Awards, and Recognitions
Independent Career, University of Southern California​
• ACS DOC Academic Young Investigator (YAS) Award, 2026
• Zumberge Preliminary Studies Research Award, 2026
• ACS Organic & Inorganic Au Rising Stars, 2026
• W.M. Keck Foundation Bridge Award, 2026
• Margaret E. Early Medical Research Trust Award, 2025
• Hydrocarbon Foundation Award, 2025
• American Cancer Society IRG, 2025
• Sterling Franklin and the Morris S. Smith Foundation establish the Dr. Elias Picazo Endowed Scholarship Fund, 2025
• President's Research Initiative Award, 2024
• NIH, NIGMS R00 GM140070, 2022
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Postdoctoral Studies, Harvard University​
• NIH, NIGMS K99 Fellowship, 2020
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Graduate Studies, University of California Los Angeles
• RSC Horizon Prize (Student), 2021
• Pfizer–UCLA Dissertation Award, 2018
• UCLA Satyan and Vimala Majeti Dissertation Award, 2018
• UCLA Christopher S. Foote Fellowship, 2016
• NIH F31 Fellowship, 2015–2018
• UCLA Eugene V. Cota–Robles Fellowship, 2013–2017
• NSF AGEP Fellowship, 2013
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Undergraduate Studies, University of California Santa Barbara
• UCSB UCLEADs Fellowship, 2012–2013
• Pfizer AIR Fellowship, 2012
• UCSB Chancellor's Scholar, 2009–2013
• UCSB Dean's Honor, 2009–2013