New Summer Research Endowment Named in Honor of Professor Chris Abelt
December 19, 2025
By
Claire De Lisle M.B.A. ’21
This article first appeared in Chemistry Distillations, the Chemistry Department's newsletter.
A new endowment named in honor of Chancellor Professor of Chemistry Christopher J. Abelt will provide research support for students and faculty, with an emphasis on summer research.
Brian K. Hubbard ’94 and Carol Anderson Hubbard ’94 created the endowment this fall in honor of Abelt, who served as a mentor to Brian and “whose decades of teaching, research and mentorship have profoundly shaped the lives and careers of countless students and faculty, leaving an enduring mark on the William & Mary chemistry community and the university as a whole,” as his impact is honored in the endowment language.
Brian is the CEO of Anji Pharmaceuticals and has had a long career in chemistry, including significant published research. It’s a journey he can trace back to when he first met Abelt as a student in his organic chemistry class.
“Chris was so approachable, and once I started working in his lab, I just loved the work,” he says. “It was truly foundational — the research done by undergraduates at William & Mary isn’t artificial. You are trying to solve real problems.”
He says the research experience also teaches students how to interact with established professionals. He and Carol wanted to support the summer program in particular because of its fully immersive nature.
“Faculty dedicate their time all summer to do research with you, and you gain a true camaraderie with them and your fellow researchers,” he says.
Carrying forward Abelt’s mentorship, Brian in turn serves as a mentor to current students, serving on alumni panels and speaking with students one-on-one.
“We want students to know that not only do the faculty care about you, alumni do as well,” he says.
Carol was a computer science and fine arts major at William & Mary. She has fond memories of spending time in the lab with her sketchbook when she and Brian started dating their sophomore year.
“Going through the college search process with our sons and nieces, we’ve really seen that the focus on undergraduate research is unique to William & Mary,” she says. “It’s ingrained in the William & Mary experience, especially in the chemistry department, and the university truly believes in it.”
Abelt has been teaching at William & Mary for almost four decades. He joined William & Mary in 1986 after working at AT&T Bell Laboratories. He has published more than 50 scholarly articles, nearly all with undergraduate co-authors. He was department chair from 2009-2017 and was director of graduate studies in chemistry for almost 20 years.
“During my time as department chair, maintaining a robust summer research program was a top priority. Through the generosity of Brian and Carol Hubbard, this endowment will help secure this valuable, immersive experience for future generations of chemistry students and faculty,” says Abelt.
Current Department Chair Kristin L. Wustholz, Margaret Hamilton Professor of Chemistry, says the summer research program remains “at the heart of our work with students” and a defining feature of the department. “It’s inspiring to see how the connections between students and faculty can grow into something so impactful and transformative,” she says. “This gift means so much for our department.”
To contribute to the Chris Abelt Chemistry Research Endowment, visit impact.wm.edu/abelt or contact Gerald Bullock M.Ed. ’97 at igbull@wm.edu or 757-221-1023.