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plish in the next decade: “I aspire to play a significant role in shaping the field of synthetic organic chemistry, both scientifically and culturally. I intend to leverage my position at Merck Process to help continue to push back the frontiers of science—designing new reactions to synthesize complex drug molecules—and serve as a leader in fostering a chemistry community in which innovation is fueled by diversity and my commitment to women in chemistry transforms known challenges into opportunities.” What her colleagues say: “Rebecca has demonstrated a strong and unwavering interest in the development and promotion of women in chemistry. As such she has sponsored, initiated, and participated in many activities aimed at stimulating interest in the field and promoting professional development of those who have chosen chemistry as an educational and/or career path.”—Michael H. Kress, Merck Research Laboratories
Josef Michl ACS Award in Photochemistry: Jack Saltiel Sponsor: Josef Michl Award Endowment Citation: For groundbreaking studies of photochemical reaction mechanisms, particularly cis-trans photoisomerization.
Current position: professor of chemistry and biochemistry, Florida State University Education: B.A., chemistry, Rice University; Ph.D., chemistry, California Institute of Technology
Saltiel on his scientific mentor and why: “I owe my deepest gratitude to my teachers: to Mr. Finfrock at San Jacinto High School, whose love of chemistry was contagious and whose teaching made college chemistry seem easy; to Ted Lewis at Rice University, who guided my first steps in research in physical organic chemistry; and to George Hammond at Caltech, who created that Camelot of modern organic photochemistry and made research such fun.” What his colleagues say: “Saltiel is one
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of the most original, innovative, and active photochemists today and is expected to dominate the field for a number of years to come.”—V. Ramamurthy, University of Miami
E. Bright Wilson Award in Spectroscopy: Richard J. Saykally Sponsor: E. Bright Wilson Endowment Citation: For the development of powerful new laser spectroscopy technology and its application for pioneering studies of molecular ions, water, and aqueous solutions and their surfaces.
Current position: Class of 1932 Endowed Professor of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, and faculty senior scientist in the Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Education: B.S., chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire; Ph.D., physical chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Saykally on what gets his creative juices flowing: “Discussing wild and crazy ideas with smart, creative students.” What his colleagues say: “Rich developed powerful new laser spectroscopy technology and its application for pioneering studies of molecular ions, water, and aqueous solutions and their surfaces. Even more important than all the techniques Rich developed is the science he did with them.”—Ben McCall and Martin Gruebele, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Harry Gray Award for Creative Work in Inorganic Chemistry by a Young Investigator: Dwight S. Seferos Sponsor: Gray Award Endowment Citation: For the development and implementation of tellurophene and selenophene polymers and photoactive compounds.
Current position: associate professor, University of Toronto Education: B.S., chemistry, Western
Washington University; Ph.D., chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara
Seferos on his scientific role model and why: “Professor Gary Lampman at Western Washington University got me started down this path. From him I learned that an equal dose of diligence and curiosity leads to success.” What his colleagues say: “Tellurium chemistry instantly distinguishes Seferos’s work from that of others who work in these fields. In undertaking the synthesis of these challenging and previously unknown compounds, Seferos has contributed significant new knowledge in chemistry. This new knowledge is important for solar fuels, electronics, and catalysis, all of which are important for meeting long-term challenges in energy.”—Douglas W. Stephan, University of Toronto
James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public: Bassam Z. Shakhashiri Sponsor: ACS Citation: For celebrating the joy of chemistry with kids of all ages and sparking appreciation of science in an extraordinary number of public engagements and media.
Current position: professor of chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison Education: A.B., chemistry, Boston University; M.Sc., chemistry, University of Maryland; Ph.D., chemistry, University of Maryland
Shakhashiri on what gets his creative juices flowing: “The grand challenges that face society and scientists—the denial of basic human rights, especially the right to benefit from scientific and technological advances, climate change, limited resources, population growth, malnutrition, spreading disease, deadly violence, and war—motivate me to better connect scientists to society and to advocate for our role as scientist-citizens. All in keeping with the ACS mission of advancing the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and its people.” What his colleagues say: “Through an extraordinary number of appearances in person and in the media, Dr. Shakhashiri
