Ex officio (Dallas-Forth Worth Section). Gainesville, Texas.
Academic record: University of Oklahoma, BS, 1974; University of Texas, Austin, PhD, 1980.
Professional positions: University of Oklahoma, Professor, 1983-2025.
ACS local section and division offices: Oklahoma Section: Chair, 2012, Program Officer, 2012, Chair-Elect, 2011, Alternate Councilor, 2010-11. Division of Analytical Chemistry: Alternate Councilor, 2012-14; Inorganic Chemistry Nanoscience Subdivision: Chair, 2010, Program Officer, 2007-09, Award Selection Committee, 2008-09; Polymer Chemistry Nanoscience Subdivision: Program Officer, 2009-2011; Petroleum Chemistry: Multidisciplinary Program Planning Group, Member, 2007-08.
ACS national service: Committee on Public Affairs and Relations, Member, 2016-17; Committee on Executive Compensation, Member Ex Officio, 2016-17; Member Ex Officio (Nonvoting), 2015; ACS President, 2016; Council Policy Committee, Chair, 2016; Member, 2015-17; Committee on Strategic Alignment, Member, 2015-16; Committee on Grants and Awards, Member, 2015-16; Committee on Committees, Member Ex Officio, 2015; Committee on Communicating Chemistry, Committee Associate, 2013–14; Committee on Chemistry and Public Affairs, Committee Associate, 2012; Committee on International Activities, Committee Associate, 2011; ACS Presidential Symposium: Organizer and Moderator, 2011 spring national meeting, “Hollywood Chemistry”; 2011 fall national meeting, “Science on the Silver Screen”; 2006 spring national meeting, “Memorial Symposium for Nobel Laureate Rick Smalley” Committee on Science, Member, 2006–08, Committee Associate, 2005; ACS Board Task Force To Address Problems Facing the Chemical Academic Community with Regard to the Paucity of Native Underrepresented Minority Faculty, Member, 2002; ACS Board Task Force To Explore the Role of ACS Collection & Dissemination of Data on Women Employed in the Chemical Sciences, Member, 2001; Committee on Women Chemists, Member, 1988–1993.
Member: Member of ACS since 1976. AAAS; Sigma Xi; AIChE; SACNAS; AISES; Phi Kappa Phi; Iota Sigma Pi; Alpha Chi Sigma; Phi Lambda Upsilon.
Related activities and honors: Council of Scientific Society Presidents, Board Chair, 2022-23; Honorary Doctorate in Science, University of Edinburgh, 2022; Science adviser for the television show “Breaking Bad,” 2008–2013; Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame, 2013; ACS Henry Hill Award for Professionalism, 2013.
Nelson’s statement
Inspiring public appreciation to advance education and careers
A difficult time for chemistry. It’s frequently stated that the US needs more scientists, although US degree attainment data from 1997 to 2023 indicate large increases in US scientists. However, disaggregation of that data by discipline reveals that different science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines have different growth rates, and chemistry has the smallest increase. Differences in degree attainment accumulate over time, putting chemistry last, which weakens the chemistry community, disadvantages chemistry departments, and reduces ACS member recruitment. ACS can’t directly change student discipline preferences, but ACS members can deduce and address factors that attract students and the public. Data will be helpful in such activities.
In the last few years, chemistry departments at some schools were closed, shared, or combined. Such solutions may not be desirable, but budget reductions are being made for STEM disciplines generally in many universities, and chemistry is an easy target because of expensive chemistry labs. We may not be able to ignore coming changes, but degree attainment data can help us be agile and creative in developing solutions. Chemists’ mindsets may need to change from one of abundance to one of scarcity, and data can guide this logically.
Media still conveys negative perceptions of science and scientists, which influences public opinion and reduces STEM funding. Chemistry has increasingly drawn in chemists and students from across the world. The combined impact of all of these factors must be considered.
From understanding to appreciation. Appreciation of science will drive STEM enrollment. Chemists’ creativity gave the world vital benefits and luxuries, and producing future benefits and luxuries is dependent upon a strong chemistry community and continued creativity. But this is possible only if science is appreciated and funded sufficiently to use its assets. Most chemistry jobs are and will continue to be in industry, which needs public appreciation and support to thrive. This support will foster balanced regulations, greater funding for research, and more jobs for chemists. Increasing employment for chemists will enhance education, the work environment, professional meetings, publications, and research—improving employment in academia, government, and elsewhere. But the public is not familiar enough with chemistry to appreciate and support chemists, unless they are informed. There are opportunities for this to improve.
The declining public image of chemistry and increasing government regulations led companies to reduce chemical research and outsource jobs to more favorable business climates. We want the US Congress to strengthen industry, and public support will be needed for this. In the past, our goal was for the public to understand science, but that achieves neither their acknowledging the benefits of science nor supporting our efforts. Our goal must now be for the public to appreciate science, to obtain their support. This has been and will continue to be my top priority.
Advocacy to strengthen chemical industry, education, and research. Increasing public appreciation for chemistry will improve not only its student enrollment, but also the congressional disposition for more favorable regulations and increased funding for research. This will require effort from us all. The public must be made aware of the benefits they enjoy, which chemistry and chemists have brought to them. Each person who is made aware becomes a potential ambassador for chemistry to other ACS members, to the public, and to the US Congress.
Building bridges. There are many ways ACS members can foster appreciation, but we should be sure to include those with the greatest impact. These ways include shepherding the image of science and scientists through those in control of media and on to the public. These are our champions, ranging from Hollywood producers and actors to high school and undergraduate science groupies who start blogs. We may be less familiar with networking through these people, but whatever the method and whoever the gatekeepers, we should build bridges and recognize each communication as an opportunity to influence messages about our chemistry community. I will be delighted to lead these activities to ensure that chemistry and chemists are appreciated in the future.
Our common cause. The ACS Board are visible leaders of the society, with opportunities to rally members behind a common cause—currently, the cause must be identifying activities to help the ACS to thrive and serve its members and inspiring public appreciation for chemistry and chemists, in order to advance jobs and careers. The cause and methods are essential, inspiring, and doable; I will work diligently to achieve this with your help. Please send suggestions to [email protected].
