2012 ACS Fellows from the Physical Chemistry Division*
Emily A. Carter, Princeton University
Contribution to the science/profession: Rigorous development and
application of first principles quantum mechanical theories for
predicting properties of molecules and complex materials that have produced
deep insights and important materials design principles.
Contribution to the ACS community: Co-initiated the Energy Subdivision of
the Physical Chemistry Division, serving on numerous committees and boards
for awards, divisions, and journals; organized multiple ACS symposia.
Joseph S. Francisco, Purdue University
Contribution to the science/profession: Creative and significant
contributions to understanding chemical processes in the atmosphere at a
fundamental molecular level; a visible and visionary leader in the chemical
sciences.
Contribution to the ACS community: Served as 2010 President of the
American Chemical Society.
Martin Head-Gordon, University of California, Berkeley
Contribution to the science/profession:
Main research achievements have significantly advanced the state of the art
in electronic structure calculations, as a result of new developments in
quantum chemical theory, algorithms, and analysis.
Contribution to the ACS community:
Volunteered as Program Chair (2009) and Chair (2010) of the Division of
Physical Chemistry, Chair of the Theory Subdivision (2003); symposium
organization, and service on ACS journal editorial boards.
Alvin L. Kwiram, University of Washington
Contribution to the science/profession:
Pioneering studies in electron-nuclear double resonance, optical
detection of magnetic resonance, and matrix isolation studies. Creative
leadership in academic and professional administration at local, national,
and international levels.
Contribution to the ACS community:
Actively engaged in rejuvenating the Division of Physical Chemistry
starting in 1976 and within a decade, helped to transform it (and
the Journal of Physical Chemistry) into one of the Society's most active and dynamic programs.
Clark R. Landis, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Contribution to the science/profession:
Mechanistic investigations of catalytic reactions, new instrumentation
development, localized bonding theory applied across the periodic table,
and innovations in Chemical Education.
Contribution to the ACS community:
Currently serving on the ACS Committee on Professional Training and the
Graduate Education Advisory Board; previous service includes two terms as
Chair of the local ACS section and organizer of numerous symposia and
conferences.
Sarah C. Larsen, University of Iowa
Contribution to the science/profession:
Recognized research program for advancing fundamental understanding of the
synthesis, characterization by magnetic resonance techniques, and
applications of zeolites.
Contribution to the ACS community:
Serves as faculty advisor for the University of Iowa ACS Undergraduate
Student chapter; organized symposia for ACS meetings, and is a Senior
Editor for the Journal of Physical Chemistry.
Leah C. O'Brien, Southern Illinois University
Contribution to the science/profession:
Research program that focuses on high-resolution spectroscopy of gas-phase,
metal-containing diatomic radicals. Has achieved the first spectral
identification and analysis of two novel molecules, AuO and PtF.
Contribution to the ACS community:
Was General Chair of the 2011 Joint Great Lakes/Midwest Regional Meeting,
which included 19 symposia, posters, workshops, and a full vendor
exhibition.
James Skinner, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Contribution to the science/profession:
Developed theoretical approaches to condensed phase spectroscopy, with
applications to crystals, glasses, liquids, supercritical fluids,
interfaces, clusters, and proteins.
Contribution to the ACS community:
Served as Chair of the Theoretical Sub-division of the Division of Physical
Chemistry, and then Chair of the Division itself.
Jeffrey I. Steinfeld, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Contribution to the science/profession:
Worked in the areas of spectroscopy and chemical kinetics; now focused on
incorporating the concepts and practice of sustainability into the chemical
enterprise.
Contribution to the ACS community:
Served as member and Chair of the Committee on Environmental Improvement,
helping to make green chemistry and sustainability a priority for ACS
programs.
The nomination window for 2013 ACS Fellows will be open next spring. Additional information may be found here.
*Summaries of 2012 Fellows' contributions courtesy of the ACS.