FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | December 09, 2011

Orinda chemist elected 2013 president of world’s largest scientific society

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2011—Marinda Li Wu, Ph.D., chemist, founder and president of Science is Fun! in Orinda, Calif., has been elected 2013 president of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world’s largest scientific society. She will serve as president-elect in 2012, president in 2013, immediate past-president in 2014 and as a member of the ACS Board of Directors from 2012 to 2014.

Wu founded “Science is Fun!” in 1993 to introduce young students to the joys of science, and she actively works in public outreach to promote science education and awareness with the general public.

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An ACS member since 1971, Wu has served in various leadership roles and has chaired numerous Society committees and task forces. She has served on the ACS Board of Directors since 2006 and was chair of the California Section in 2001.

Wu received a B.S. cum laude with distinction in chemistry from Ohio State University in 1971 and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1976. She holds seven U.S. patents.

Developing innovative ways to better equip chemists and chemistry students for today’s competitive work environment will be a priority during her term in office, Wu says.

Considering the globalization of the chemistry enterprise, Wu emphasizes the importance of engaging in more meaningful dialogue with sister societies worldwide. Her connections in Asia, Europe and South America will enable her to help ACS build beneficial relationships in the Society’s international endeavors.

“I will actively work with leaders from industry, small business, academia and government to explore the supply and demand of jobs and how ACS can better help with retraining and professional growth,” she said. “I have worked for years to increase awareness among legislators and the general public of the importance of science literacy, education and R&D. Working together, we can improve the U.S. business climate and rebuild our jobs base.”

Wu is the recipient of numerous awards for her service to ACS and the community. She helped spearhead a successful partnership between the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation (LLLCF) and the California ACS Section to bring a popular monthly Science Cafe program to the general public in local communities.

The first Asian-American chemist to be elected president of the American Chemical Society in its 135-year history, Wu also serves on the Chinese American Chemical Society’s Board of Directors.

She resides in Orinda with her husband. They have a grown son, daughter and son-in-law.

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Marinda Li Wu