The American Chemical Society (ACS) recently announced the winners of two Dreyfus Foundation-supported awards aimed at diversity in the chemical sciences as part of their 2024 National Award Winners.

The 2024 ACS-Dreyfus Award for Encouraging Underrepresented and Economically Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences went to Dr. Scott T. Wills, R&D Staffing Leader, Core R&D: Talent and Growth, at Dow, “for his passionate efforts as a champion for deaf and hard-of-hearing (deaf/hh) STEM students in the chemical industry.”

The award – established in 1993 to recognize significant accomplishments by individuals in stimulating students, underrepresented in the profession, to elect careers in the chemical sciences and engineering – consists of $5,000 and a certificate. A grant of $10,000 is also made to aneligible non-profit institution, designated by the recipient, to strengthen its activities in meeting the objectives of the award.

The 2024 ACS-Dreyfus Award for Encouraging Women into Careers in the Chemical Sciences went to Dr. Elsa Reichmanis, Anderson Chair in Chemical Engineering in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Lehigh University, for her role as “as an established technology leader as well as a role model, strong advocator and mentor to countless of women in Chemical Science”

The award – established in 1993 to recognize significant accomplishments by individuals who have stimulated or fostered the interest of women in chemistry, promoting their professional development as chemists or chemical engineers – consists of $5,000 and a certificate. A grant of $10,000 is also made to an eligible non-profit institution, designated by the recipient, to strengthen its activities in meeting the objectives of the award.

Both Dr. Wills and Dr. Reichmanis will be honored at the ACS Spring 2024 Meeting in New Orleans, LA.