Clarkson University Awards Honorary Degree to Joseph A. Loo ‘82
Clarkson University proudly announces it awarded Joseph A. Loo ’82 an honorary doctor of science degree at its spring 2026 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9.
Loo is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and of Biological Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, with an appointment in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He is also a member of the UCLA Department of Energy Institute for Genomics and Proteomics and the UCLA Molecular Biology Institute.
Clarkson recognizes Loo with an honorary degree for his internationally recognized leadership in mass spectrometry and proteomics, with pioneering contributions to protein structure analysis and disease biomarker discovery; for his work as a highly cited scientist and prolific impact on analytical chemistry; and for his dedicated support of Clarkson University, a proud alumnus with deep family ties who has fostered collaboration, mentored students, and established funding to support undergraduate research opportunities.
“Dr. Joseph Loo’s career exemplifies our University’s mission and impact, as well as the power of curiosity and scientific excellence,” President Michelle B. Larson said. “Through his leadership in advancing mass spectrometry and biomedical research, he has made contributions that are improving lives around the world. We are proud to honor him as a Clarkson alumnus whose work reflects the very best of our values.”
Loo was raised in Potsdam, NY, where he completed his education from elementary school through high school. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Clarkson College of Technology (now Clarkson University) and later received his doctoral degree in chemistry from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.
He continued his scientific training as a postdoctoral fellow and later as a senior research scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington. Prior to joining UCLA, he served as an associate research fellow at Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which later became part of Pfizer.
Loo’s research focuses on improving mass spectrometry, a technique used to accurately measure the size of molecules, from small drug compounds to large proteins. His team uses mass spectrometry to help develop new treatments and to study proteins, which can lead to better ways to detect human diseases, and to support structural biology projects.
He has authored more than 380 papers and book chapters and previously served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry. He currently serves as president of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, an organization of more than 8,500 scientists from academic, industrial and government laboratories that promotes knowledge in the field. His research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Loo has received numerous honors, including election as fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Chemical Society’s Frank H. Field and Joe L. Franklin Award for Outstanding Achievement in Mass Spectrometry.
