Maryland Section. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Academic record: College of Wooster, BA, 1989; University of Pittsburgh, PhD, 1997.
Professional positions: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Research Chemist, 2002-present.
ACS local section and division offices: Maryland Section: Councilor, 2007-present; Immediate Past Chair, 2018; Chair, 2017, 2007; Vice-Chair, 2015-16, 2006; Chair-Elect, 2015, 2005; Secretary, 2002-04.
ACS National Service: Committee on Divisional Activities, Member, 2024-present, Committee Associate, 2023; Committee on Committees, Member, 2017-2022, Secretary, 2019-2021; Committee on Meetings and Expositions, Committee Associate, 2016; Committee on Local Section Activities, Member, 2010-15, Committee Associate, 2009.
Member: Member of ACS since 1989. Sigma Xi. ACS Divisions: Analytical Chemistry; Colloid and Surface Chemistry; Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering.
Related activities and honors: NIST Measurement Services Award, 2025; NIST Safety Award, 2011.
Watson’s statement
I am grateful to serve as a candidate for District III director. If elected, I would like to focus on two of the four American Chemical Society public policy positions: science education and workforce and innovation through research, that directly impacts on our district.
As a scientist in a US government laboratory, completion of my research relies heavily on the use of student researchers from various educational levels and other temporary scientific staff. Obtaining the appropriate researcher to complete testing and data analysis and direct the focus of research is essential to finishing critical milestones in projects supported by US taxpayers. ACS is engaging key stakeholders in addressing the need for skilled technical workers not holding a bachelor’s degree. ACS is also promoting those using science and engineering skills in their jobs and working to create increased awareness and appreciation for these opportunities in the chemistry enterprise at the high school and two-year college levels. I would like to make sure that ACS continues to strongly pursue this initiative.
The second ACS priority in which I am interested is innovation through research and technology and the critical need to foster new knowledge and industrial innovation, including the training of future scientists and engineers. Most importantly, the role that government plays in fostering a healthy climate for innovation through tax policy, international standards, intellectual property, and other incentives. The ACS is working to promote sustained federal investments in research and discovery, science infrastructure, and industrial innovation to enhance US global competitiveness. I support moving this priority forward.
In the past two years, there has been a dramatic change in the ways the US government views scientific research and collaborations in many disciplines that in some cases have resulted in complete overhauls of advisory boards and reduced funding for several US agencies, which has impacted academic research. Furthermore, open interactions among scientists, engineers, and students from across the globe are under threat. I support the efforts that ACS is working to provide critical tools that help us address our national and global needs for science in the public policy arena.
