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Welcome to the 5th Houk Research Conference

June 24-26, 2026 | Pittsburgh, PA

The 2026 Houk Research Conference is convened to honor the career of Professor Kendall N. Houk, Distinguished Research Professor at UCLA. Please join us for three days scientific discussion at the frontiers of computational and experimental organic chemistry.

Registration is Now Closed!

Invited Speakers

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Kendall N. Houk

University of California,
Los Angeles

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William L. Jorgensen

Yale University

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Kevin (Kay) Carter-Fenk

University of Pittsburgh

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Ming Chen

Purdue University

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Paul Ha-Yeon Cheong

Oregon State University

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Daniel Ess

Brigham Young University

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Marc Garcia-Borràs

University of Girona

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Osvaldo Gutierrez

University of California, 
Los Angeles

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Xin Hong

Zhejiang University

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Ilia Kevlishvili

Baylor University

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Seonah Kim

Colorado State University

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Fang (Acia) Liu

Jining University

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Peng Liu

University of Pittsburgh

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Steven Lopez

Northeastern University

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Robert Paton

Colorado State University

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Maren Podewitz

TU Wien

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Xiaotian Qi

Wuhan University

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Alistair J. Sterling

University of Texas at Dallas

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Thomas Strassner

TU Dresden

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Dennis Svatunek

TU Wien

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Dean J. Tantillo

University of California, Davis

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Olaf Wiest

University of Notre Dame

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Xiao-Song Xue

Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry

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Zhongyue (John) Yang

Vanderbilt University

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Peiyuan Yu

Southern University of Science & Technology (SUSTech)

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Zhi-Xiang Yu

Peking University

Conference Venue

The conference will be held at the University of Pittsburgh, which is located in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

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Lectures and Poster Sessions:

O'Hara Student Center

4024 O'Hara St.

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood is the city's academic and cultural hub. Just steps from the conference venue, attendees can explore the soaring gothic architecture of the Cathedral of Learning, home to the unique Nationality Rooms, or visit the world-class Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History. Unwind between sessions amidst the stunning botanical displays at Phipps Conservatory—one of the greenest public gardens in the world—or enjoy Oakland’s diverse culinary scene. Whether you take a ride on the historic Duquesne Incline for a panoramic skyline view or visit the nearby Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh offers an inspiring backdrop for scientific exchange.

Program

All scientific sessions, breakfast, and lunch will be at the same conference venue (O'Hara Student Center), providing ample opportunities for networking and discussion among all meeting attendees.

Download Detailed Schedule Here:

June 24, 2026 (Wednesday)

1:00-2:00 pm: Registration

2:00-2:15 pm: Welcome

2:15-5:30 pm: Lectures

6:00-8:00 pm: Opening Reception Dinner
(Chevron Science Center, Lobby)

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June 25, 2026 (Thursday)

7:30-8:30 am: Breakfast

8:30-10:00 am: Lectures

10:00-11:00 am: Poster Session

11:00 am-12:30 pm: Lectures

12:30-2:00 pm: Lunch

2:00-3:45 pm: Lectures

4:00 pm: Board Bus

5:00-6:00 pm: Three Rivers Sightseeing Cruise

6:30 pm: Speaker & Panelist Dinner

 
June 26, 2026 (Friday)

7:30-8:30 am: Breakfast

8:30-9:30 am: Lectures

9:30-9:45 am: Group Photo

9:45-11:00 am: Poster Session

11:00 am-12:30 pm: Panel Discussion: AI for Research and Education

12:30-2:00 pm: Lunch

2:00-4:30 pm: Lectures

4:30-5:00 pm: Closing Remarks

Registration Information

Registration is Now Closed

Registration Deadline:

  • April 30, 2026

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Registration Fee:

  • Standard Registration: ​$400

  • Graduate and Undergraduate Students: $300

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​Conference Registration Fee includes:

  • Access to all scientific sessions

  • ​Access to poster sessions

  • ​Coffee breaks

  • ​Welcome reception dinner (Evening of Wednesday, June 24, 2026)

  • ​Breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday, June 25-26, 2026

  • ​Pittsburgh city tour (Thursday afternoon)

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Accomadations

     The conference will be held at the O'Hara Student Center (4024 O'Hara Street), located in the heart of the University of Pittsburgh's Oakland campus. Conference attendees may choose from a variety of housing options ranging from on-campus dorms to luxury hotels.

On-Campus Housing (Dormitories): For the most convenient and affordable stay, attendees may reserve a room in the university residence halls, located within easy walking distance of the conference venue. Accommodations are suite-style: each suite features a shared kitchenette, living room, and bathroom, with 3–4 private bedrooms. Each bedroom is fitted with a door for privacy.

  • Rate: Flat rate of $200 per person.

  • Duration: Covers up to four nights (Check-in: June 23 | Check-out: June 27).

  • Booking: You may select this option directly when registering for the conference.

Hotel Options–Walking Distance: If you prefer a traditional hotel experience within the vibrant university district, several options are just a short walk from the O'Hara Student Center.

Hotel Options–Driving or Public Transit: For attendees who prefer to explore neighboring districts with expanded dining and nightlife, the Shadyside (approx. 10 mins driving) and Downtown (approx. 15 mins driving) neighborhoods are easily accessible via car, rideshare, or Pittsburgh’s bus system (PRT).​ 

Vacation Rentals (Airbnb / Vrbo): For attendees preferring a home-away-from-home experience, private rentals are widely available throughout Pittsburgh. This is an excellent option for groups or those desiring full kitchen amenities. We recommend searching in the following neighborhoods:

  • Oakland: The immediate neighborhood offering the shortest walk to the venue.

  • Shadyside: A quiet, upscale residential area with tree-lined streets and boutique shopping; easily accessible by a short bus ride or 10-minute drive.

  • Squirrel Hill: A vibrant, historic neighborhood known for its diverse dining; well-connected to campus via the 61-series city buses.

Contact Us

Organizers

Prof. Peng Liu , University of Pittsburgh

Prof. Zhongyue (John) Yang, Vanderbilt University

Contact

 

© 2025 by University of Pittsburgh Center for Computational Chemistry (PC^3).

 

University of Pittsburgh
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Department of Chemistry
Chevron Science Center
219 Parkman Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

412-624-8200

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