Successful Women in Chemistry - American Chemical Society

Chapter 22

Downloaded by SWINBURNE UNIV OF TECHNOLOGY on May 10, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: June 28, 2005 | doi: 10.1021/bk-2005-0907.ch022

Sharon L. Haynie, Research Scientist: Laboratory Investigation and Outreach Arlene A. Garrison Office of Research, University of Tennessee, 409 Andy Holt Tower, Knoxville, TN 37996

Many chemists devote significant time and energy to mentoring students. This profile of a career laboratory chemist illustrates the impact of reaching out to disadvantaged high-school students. In the laboratory, the interviewee has developed products that integrate biology with chemistry to substantially improve the environment.

Sharon Haynie has demonstrated her lifelong commitment to mentoring and encouraging young scientists during her work at DuPont and her extensive activity in the American Chemical Society. Sharon grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and received her biochemistry degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976. From there, she proceeded to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where, in 1982, she completed her doctorate in chemistry. After spending a few years with the A T & T Bell Laboratories, she joined DuPont Chemical, where she has remained for 20 years. She has worked in a variety of research groups that reflect her interest in bioscience and chemistry, including the Vascular Graft Program and the Fibers Department Biomaterials Group. For the past 13 years she has worked in Wilmington, Delaware, relatively close to her hometown of Baltimore, for DuPont Central Research in the Biochemical Science and Engineering Department.

Tradition Sharon's career is viewed by many as a traditional one. Her education was continuous, and she chose graduate study at a premier university. After finishing, she could have selected an academic career. However, research into

© 2005 American Chemical Society

Hinkle and Kocsis; Successful Women in Chemistry ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2005.

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Sharon L. Haynie (Courtesy ofSharon L. Haynie.)


137 industrial materials captured her interest and she continues to focus on the basic science necessary in the development of commercial materials. Her love of laboratory work is recognized in DuPont, and she believes that her skills are best used in the creative and innovative research she perforais at the bench.


Environmentally Responsible Sharon's research at DuPont has extended to a variety of projects. Her recent and current projects have emphasized environmentally friendly processes that reduce environmental impact compared with earlier processes that can then be discarded. One recent project involves the use of biological catalysts to develop alternative products that are manufactured from biological feedstocks rather than petrochemicals. These new chemical feedstocks can be replaced in a single growing season. In many cases, safer processes can be developed that result in reduced waste. To achieve the many goals of the projects, much of Sharon's work has involved collaborations and multidisciplinary investigation. Sharon notes that the quest to make better products to serve society requires extensive collaboration, not the single scientist in the lab that is often pictured. A recent example of the types of team projects she is involved in is an effort to convert corn sugar to an aromatic monomer. Throughout her career, Sharon has emphasized laboratory work and she loves directing bench work. Sharon views the integration of materials and biology as a challenge and an important research path for the future. She is comfortable with the challenge and believes that the end result will be new ways to create better products that benefit society.

American Chemical Society DuPont has actively supported Sharon's involvement with the American Chemical Society (ACS), and Sharon has demonstrated extensive leadership in her volunteer activities. Sharon is very involved in the Philadelphia Section of the A C S and served as Chair of the section in 2003. She was elected councilor representing her local section in the national A C S organization for several years and was recently elected again to the 2004-2006 term. Council members serve as the primary decision-making body of the American Chemical Society. Sharon has also served on numerous national A C S committees. In addition to her personal interest, Sharon attributes her activity in A C S to a number of men and women role models who have provided great encouragement and support of her A C S activities.


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Mentor The A C S Project S E E D (Summer Employment for Economically Disadvantaged) program has been of special interest to Sharon. The S E E D program provides financial support and information about potential science careers to students. The program is designed to provide students with exposure to scientists and to the thinking processes of science. The students spend time in Sharon's laboratory, where they are exposed to much more than just science. To many of the students, the professional work climate and the intellectual stimulation have a much larger impact than learning about the specific science involved. Many of the students would be unable to participate in the summer experience i f not for the financial support they receive while participating. Although some S E E D participants pursue science careers, some choose business or other professions. The summer program provides a chance for students to learn the thought processes that are common to research, such as probing, critical thinking, and analysis. Sharon points out that these skills are important to all technically competent citizens, whatever career they pursue. Sharon has served as a mentor to students in the S E E D program for nearly a decade and often stays in touch with the students for many years. She believes that volunteer activity is an important professional responsibility. In particular, she believes it is important to be an accessible example to students and women who are in the early career stages. While Sharon emphasizes her commitment to helping others, she resists recognition of her extensive volunteer work, insisting that the opportunity to provide support to students is its own reward.

Work and Life Work-life balance has not been a difficult issue for Sharon. She enjoys traveling and is often accompanied by her mother. Sharon does not believe that choosing to be a scientist has required any personal sacrifice, and she would definitely make the same choice again. Sharon's immediate and extended family made the many sacrifices in order for her to achieve many privileges (e.g., quality education; choice in her profession). She thinks that the best ways that she can acknowledge and honor those sacrifices are to be mindful, to enjoy the privileges of performing one's chosen work, and to continually give back to others. Her contributions to science have been significant and personally gratifying. Sharon does not believe that she has been forced to make difficult choices in order to have a traditional chemistry career, and she continues to enjoy her work.


Successful Women in Chemistry - American Chemical Society

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