2024 ChemLuminary Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2024 ChemLuminary Award winners!
American Chemical Society
Award for Volunteer Service to the American Chemical Society
V. Michael Mautino
For his outstanding volunteerism and mentorship at all levels of the American Chemical Society.
Committee on Public Relations and Communications
Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach
Tom Kuntzleman
Thomas Kuntzleman, an assistant teaching professor at Wayne State University, shares his passion for science through science camps, public lectures at schools and community gatherings, and his enormously popular YouTube and TikTok videos.
Best New Public Relations or Communications Program of a Local Section
Indiana Local Section
To recognize the 100th anniversary of insulin development and commercialization, the Indiana Section and Eli Lilly insulin scientists and leadership secured a National Historic Chemical Landmark designation and hosted an insulin-themed symposium and celebration.
Outstanding Continuing Public Relations or Communications Program of a Local Section
Midland Local Section
Central Michigan University used grants from EPA and the Midland Section to provide teachers with training, resources, and supplies to engage more than 4,000 students in environmental efforts related to water quality testing.
ACS Strategic Planning Committee
Best Activity or Program Highlighting ACS Change Driver(s) or Strategic Planning
Division of Professional Relations (PROF)
The Professional Relations Division for the commencement of the PROF Pride-Merck Graduate Research Excellence Award, a joint graduate research award with Merck for LGBTQ+ scientists. This activity supports the chemistry and social responsibility change drive.
Membership Affairs Committee
MAC Industry Engagement & Outreach Award
Division of Organic Chemistry (ORGN)
The 48th National Organic Chemistry Symposium added seminar talks called “Industry Sessions.” This new programming featured representatives from local chemistry industries who presented on the mission, goals, focus, and potential careers at their respective companies.
Women Chemists Committee
Best Local Section Women Chemists Committee Event/Activity
Detroit Local Section
The Detroit Local Section hosted the 5th annual Skills Beyond the Bench – an event that brings together students and industrial professionals. The theme was “Owning Your Seat at the Bench: A Conversation about Imposter Syndrome.”
Most Outstanding Local Section Women Chemists Committee
Chicago Local Section
The Chicago Section held several events during the year, including the Global Women’s Breakfast with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, a “What to Expect When Expecting in the Laboratory” webinar, and a WCC Career Event to help younger chemists explore different chemistry-related job opportunities.
Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs
Outstanding Local Section Career Program
Silicon Valley Local Section
Silicon Valley Local Section, worked to create a Career Panel and Networking event supporting community college and transfer students. The panel featured four scientists who started their higher education at a community college.
Outstanding Divisional Career Program
Division of Business Development & Management (BGMT)
The Division of Business Development & Management provided a new course to aspiring chemical entrepreneurs as part of the ACS educational portfolio. The course combined the collective knowledge of the Division of Business Development & Management and the Division of Small Chemical Businesses about the “business of chemistry.”
Younger Chemists Committee
Outstanding Local Section Younger Chemists Committee
North Jersey Local Section
The North Jersey Local Section Younger Chemists Committee organized a seminar series centered around career path selections and progressions from academia to industry.
Outstanding or Creative Local Section Younger Chemists Committee Event
Georgia Local Section
The Local Section’s Younger Chemists Committee organized an event titled “Science of Spin Art - Exploring the intersection of Science, Art, & Engineering.” This event combined traditional painting techniques with a modern twist.
Outstanding New Local Section Younger Chemists Committee
Hampton Roads Local Section
The new Hampton Roads Local Section Younger Chemists Committee hosted two networking events, allowing members to meet local chemists in various stages of their careers.
Committee on Chemists with Disabilities
Chemists with Disabilities Inclusion Award
New York Local Section
The Teaching Chemistry to Students with Disabilities Symposium, organized by the local section of New York, offered comprehensive guidance on accommodating disabled students in chemistry. It covered different topics and strategies, and the presenters reflected diverse chemistry experiences.
Committee on Divisional Activities
Recognition of Innovation and Outstanding Service to Members of a Division
Division of Chemical Health & Safety (CHAS) Peer-Led Workshops
The Division of Chemical Health and Safety developed workshops for graduate researchers to provide practical guidance on risk management using RAMP and Laboratory Safety Teams, providing exceptional leadership opportunities and mentorship for student researchers.
Most Unique Project funded by a Division Innovative Project Grant
Division of Professional Relations (PROF)
The Division of Professional Relations Ambassadors promoted the division at all 2023 ACS Regional Meetings. PROF Ambassadors were provided with t-shirts, swag, and iPads programmed with PROF presentation materials and member sign-up mechanisms.
Joint DAC & LSAC Award
Outstanding Local Section-Division Collaboration
Division of Energy & Fuels (ENFL) and the South Texas Local Section
The Energy and Fuels Division and South Texas Local Section’s pioneering "Celebration of Happy Halogens" seamlessly fused music and chemistry, captivating over 200 attendees, including students, and community leaders. This innovative event showcased a compelling blend of art and science, enhancing emotional intelligence and learning outcomes through its "edutainment" approach.
Society Committee on Education
Fostering Interactions Between Local Sections & Student Chapters
Western Michigan Local Section
The Western Michigan Local Section brought together chemists, college students, and early-career chemists to discuss career opportunities. The event, called Chemistry at the Mall, gave the students a chance to share some of their love for chemistry and some of their knowledge with kids and the general public. The event helped them with public speaking and the ability to communicate science to the general public and kids. The section has been doing this for over 25 years, and the groups keep coming back.
Outstanding U. S. National Chemistry Olympiad
California Local Section
In 2023, a record number of 375 students from 24 high schools across the California Local Section sat for the local exam. Students attended tutoring sessions, high-performing students were awarded cash awards, and participating teachers received gifts and appreciation letters.
Outstanding Engagement with K-8 Students
Detroit Local Section
The Detroit Local Section facilitated “Neinas Chemistry Day” at Wayne State University, hosting 120 middle school students and their teachers from Neinas Dual Language Learning Academy to learn about chemistry, college, and careers.
Joint SOCED and AACT Governing Board Award
Outstanding American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT) Support
Orange County Local Section
The Orange County Section organized a successful chemistry teacher recognition program and corresponding event.
Committee on Project SEED
Outstanding Efforts by a Local Section to Organize a Project SEED Program - Small Site
Midland Local Section
Partnering with three different colleges, the Midland section hosted 10 SEED students (8 in-person and two virtual) in 2023. SEED students participated in industrial tours, monthly virtual meetings, community outreach, and public presentations of their research.
Outstanding Efforts by a Local Section to Organize a Project SEED Program - Large Site
New York Local Section
The New York section hosted 41 students. Students participated in a regional science fair, and competed in competitions, including the STEM SHOWCASE, where SEED students were awarded 5 gold, 8 silver, and 13 bronze medals.
Committee on Environment and Sustainability
Outstanding Sustainability Activities
Indiana Local Section
The Indiana Local Section organized a series of events using storytelling and hands-on experiments to introduce children to the importance of protecting our environment, conservation, and living harmoniously with nature at the elementary school level.
Committee on Ethics
Outstanding Local Section Industry Event
Chemical Society of Washington
The Chemical Society of Washington (CSW) hosted a hybrid dinner event on cybersecurity with a tailored examination of the chemical enterprise, the potential catastrophic impacts to the intellectual property and physical safety of chemical manufacturing, and the risks posed to academic labs for data theft and phishing schemes.
Committee on Corporation Associates
Outstanding Local Section Industry Event
California Local Section
The 2023 Bay Area Chemistry Symposium brought together over 125 students, postdocs, and professionals from the biotech/pharma industry to network and learn about themes covering synthesis and design in medicinal, process, biological, and computational chemistry.
Committee on Chemical Technicial Professionals
Best Event or Activity Organized by, or Benefiting, the Applied Chemical Technology Professional Community
Indiana Local Section
Promote Yourself included a career panel of scientists with varying educational backgrounds followed by panel- and attendee-initiated discussions and networking. Professional headshots were offered as well as booths for companies to engage with prospective employees.
Committee on Minority Affairs
Best Overall Local Section Minority Affairs Committee
Midland and New York Local Sections
The Midland section hosted eight events, totaling over 377 volunteer hours, impacting nearly 3,000 members. Highlights included the HerStory event, member spotlights, virtual seminars, and a new award in honor of Dr. Bettye Washington Greene.
The New York section dedicated over 450 volunteer hours to projects celebrating Dr. Marie Daly, including a documentary showcased at Columbia University. These efforts supported four ACS strategy goals and raised awareness of her contributions to chemistry.
Committee on International Activities
Global Engagement Award
Division of Environmental Chemistry (ENVR)
20 students successfully participated in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, upon completion of the program, students publish the results for others to read.
Outstanding Global Partnership Award
Malaysia Chapter
The Southeast Asia Global Innovative Challenge 2023 is an annual event that combines competition and education, offering a mini-course to foster critical thinking and innovation among students.
Joint IAC & SOCED Award
Fostering Interactions between International Chapters & International Student Chapters
Malaysia Chapter
Southeast Asia Global Innovative Challenge (SEA-GIC) 2023 uniquely combined competition and education, offering a mini-course to foster critical thinking and innovation among students. The project aligned with IAC's strategic goals of supporting chemistry-related education and promoting collaboration on a national and international scale.
Senior Chemists Committee
Best Continuing Senior Chemists Activity within a Local Section
Midland Local Section
The Midland Local Section continued its prior year’s exhibit “A Century of Science and Service”. It drew 700 people and was successful in communicating chemistry values, supporting excellence in education and advancing inclusion in chemistry.
Best New Senior Chemists Activity within a Local Section
North Carolina Local Section
Senior Chemists along with some current graduate students at NC State University attended tours of the Center for Additive Manufacturing and Logistics (CAMAL) and the Biotechnology Education Center (BTEC) on NC State's Campus. Participants learned about state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques and how industry and academia are collaborating to enhance the future.
Committee on Meetings & Expositions
Outstanding Regional Meeting
2022 Southeastern Regional Meeting (SERMACS)
During 2022, the ACS-Puerto Rico Local Section celebrated its 75th anniversary. As part of this celebration, it served as host for the Southeast Regional meeting of the ACS that was held on October 19-22 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan. Some 1,683 participants attended the diversity of offerings, including oral and poster technical sessions that focused on topics from across the discipline and aligned with the general theme: “Chemistry transcending boundaries for a sustainable future”.
2023 Southwest Regional Meeting (SWRM)
The Southwest Regional Meeting (SWRM 2023) was hosted by the Oklahoma Local Section at the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City from November 15-18, 2023. More than 1000 attendees registered for the in-person meeting. “Chemistry Energized” was the meeting theme, and the organizing team worked to create a rigorous yet broadly appealing program that would capture the interest of chemists, chemistry educators, and practitioners in chemistry and chemistry-adjacent fields in the entire Southwest Region and beyond.
Committee on Community Activities
Outstanding Public Outreach Event Organized by a Student Group
New York Local Section
The New York Local Section and Pace University STEM groups organized the “Chemistry of Love” event for networking and informational talks about chemistry and love. The event included photobooths, love songs, and lunch for attendees.
Most Creative & Innovative Use of the Chemists Celebrate Earth Week Theme
Georgia and Midland Local Sections
The Georgia Local Section designed activities related to the CCEW topic of algae, at five different venues.
The Midland Local Section hosted several events, including a free Expo, food science café, and a summit.
Most Creative & Innovative Use of the National Chemistry Week Theme
Virginia Local Section
The Virginia Section hosted an event during the Science Museum of Virginia's “Spooky Science Night”. 1200 children attended an event to learn how chemistry impacts health. Participants examined animal organs such as hearts and kidneys.
Outstanding Community Involvement in CCEW
Northeast Wisconsin Local Sections
The Northeast Wisconsin Local Section hosted three in-person events, utilizing the Chemists Celebrate Earth Week topic of Algae. Over 200 participants made alginate worms, examined algae under microscopes, and learned about the impact of carbon dioxide on algae.
Outstanding Community Involvement in NCW
Pittsburgh Local Section
The ACS Pittsburgh Local Section celebrated NCW in partnership with the
Carnegie Science Center. Events included the “Gene-age Dream” Scholars Program, SciTech Days, ACS Student Chapter Mini-ChemFest, and a networking event at a local library.
Outstanding NCW Event for a Specific Audience
Richland Local Section
During NCW, the Richland Section and 40 volunteers hosted an event at Eastern Oregon University. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students investigated a ‘zombie’ mystery with activities based on the NCW theme, ‘Healing Power of Chemistry’.
Outstanding Ongoing CCEW Event
Central Texas Local Section
For 15 years, the Central Texas Local Section, City of Austin, and the Austin Nature and Science Center have hosted an event at “The Splash Exhibit”. The hands-on activities support a CCEW sustainability theme.
Outstanding Ongoing NCW Event
New York Local Section
The New York Section (NYACS) celebrated NCW at the New York Hall of Science. There were 1000+ visitors, and 32 interactive stations. The event partnership included the NYACS, PepsiCo, and the Hall of Science.
Committee on Local Section Activities
Best Activity or Program in a Local Section Stimulating Membership Involvement
New York Local Section
The New York section dedicated its year to the Dr. Marie Maynard Daly Event Series, hosting 14 impactful events honoring her legacy, including seminars, symposiums, and landmark celebrations. Over 2500 participants engaged with Dr. Daly's achievements, promoting diversity and inclusion across the chemical enterprise. Their efforts exemplify a commitment to advancing scientific education and honoring trailblazing chemists.
Local Section Partnership Marinda Li Wu Award
Indiana Local Section
The Indiana Local Section partnered with Eli Lilly, the Division and Medicinal Chemistry the Division of the History of Chemistry to conduct a symposium and reception at the ACS Spring 2023 Meeting to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the development and commercialization of Insulin.
Most Innovative New Activity or Program
Puerto Rico Local Section
Puerto Rico's Chemistry Career Road Tour (CCRT) engaged high school to graduate students, showcasing diverse chemistry careers and breaking cultural barriers. Sessions, including industry presentations and hands-on activities, emphasized inclusivity and community engagement, inspiring enthusiasm for chemistry-related careers among students.
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section – Small Size Category Award
Binghamton Local Section
In 2023, Binghamton local section actively promoted diversity and inclusivity, engaging members through social and professional events funded by LSAC grants and local funds. Highlights included Chemistry Olympiad, Awards Dinner, and Volunteer Appreciation, advancing Binghamton organizational value and community impact.
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section – Medium Small Size Category Award
Midland Local Section
In 2023, Midland Local Section hosted 101 events, impacting 20,000 people with 4,500 volunteer hours. Key events included Earth Day Expo, H2O Q Program, Project SEED, and collaborations promoting chemistry's transformative power, targeting local students and professionals, fostering community engagement and advancing scientific literacy.
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section – Medium Size Category Award
Lehigh Valley Local Section
In 2023, the Lehigh Valley Local Section thrived, delivering diverse programming aligned with the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan. From industrial talks to inaugural events like the Ned Heindel Lecture, the section engaged members and the community, fostering student initiatives and educational partnerships.
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section – Medium Large Size Category Award
St. Louis Local Section
In 2023, the St. Louis Local Section, launched their Coffee and Cocktails with Chemists networking series. In all, over 250 people participated in seven networking events. These new events fostered networking, camaraderie, and inclusion, as the section welcomed all chemistry enthusiasts by alternating between local coffee shops and cocktail venues.
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section – Large Size Category Award
Indiana Local Section
In 2023, Indiana Local Section accomplished strategic initiatives, including hosting a record 29 events with 10,000 participants. Notable achievements include industry connections, YCC development, DEIR integration, and outreach successes, aligning with ACS mission.
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section – Very Large Size Category Award
California Local Section
The California local section has demonstrated dynamic engagement, expanded outreach, and a profound commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and scientific excellence. From traditional events like Earth Day activities to co-hosting the national ACS meeting and initiating new traditions like the Juneteenth-Pride picnic.
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