Awards

The Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences

This award recognizes individuals and/or institutions who have advanced diversity in the chemical sciences and significantly stimulated or fostered activities that promote inclusiveness within the region.

Congratulations Kristopher V. Waynant, Ph.D., University of Idaho

Dr. Waynant is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and the Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) at the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. Trained as an organic chemist, his current research spans a variety of subdisciplines from ligand design for both metal dissolution and catalysis to peptide chemistry and the construction of zwitterionic cross-linkers for polyampholyte materials. As OUR Director, he meets regularly with students to introduce them to research and the opportunities in research careers. He has led many projects on introducing research in the first-year curriculum both as inquiry-based and as course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). He currently leads an NIH Bridges to Baccalaureate program and is the PI of a new NSF REU Site program titled “Elements of Sustainability”. He leads many outreach activities hosting students for ACS events (i.e., USNCO) and as the Councilor for the Washington Idaho Border Section, serves as a member of Project SEED promoting research for to High schoolers throughout the region and the country.

Learn more about the Stanley C. Israel Award

The E. Ann Nalley Northwest Region Award for Volunteer Service to the American Chemical Society

This award recognizes the volunteer efforts of an individual who has served the American Chemical Society and contributed significantly to the goals and objectives of the Society through their regional activities.

Congratulations Despina Strong, Ph.D.!

Dr. Strong has been an active member of ACS for over 40 years, serving as the Chair or as a member for multiple committees and founding two of her own at the local section. She has been the Chair of the local section two times (1992, 2014) and she served as the Education Committee Chair for three years. Strong initiated the Senior Chemists Committee (SCC, 2017) and the Women Chemists Committee (WCC, 2020) where she is currently serving as the first Chair for both. She organizes events to engage members and to promote networking. Strong is a founding member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Respect committee and leads the Diversity Book Discussion Group. In 2021, Strong participated in the revision of the section’s bylaws making significant contributions during the process. At the Regional level Strong participated in the Northwest Regional (NORM) meetings organizing and /or participating in symposia and events on behalf of the SCC and the WCC. At the National level, Strong is in her third 3-year term as a councilor for the Puget Sound Section, and she is currently an active member (8 years) on the national WCC. As a member of WCC, she leads one of the three major goal areas of the committee and serves on the WCC leadership team. Strong volunteered and chaired the District VI Caucus twice and served as its secretary twice. She participates actively at the National level where she forged relationships with members of the Minority Affairs Committee, WCC and SCC as well as with ACS staff and leadership.

Strong retired in January 2017 after a 30-year career with the State Department of Ecology and King County. She began her career with the Department of Ecology where she worked at the state’s environmental laboratory, first as a chemist and later as a supervisor. From 1992 – 2006, she worked in various capacities as a supervisor for analytical units in the Metro/King County Environmental Laboratory. Between 2006 – 2017, Strong was a Program Manager responsible for the County’s Pretreatment Program, overseeing the administration of federal, state, and local environmental regulations for over 600 industrial facilities with permits to discharge to the county’s sanitary system. 

Strong lives in Seattle with her husband, Brian, of 39 years and has two adult children, ‘Ryan, and Lia. She holds a Master’s (‘84) and a PhD (’86) in Analytical Chemistry from Washington State University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Wales, UK, 1981.

Learn more about the E. Ann Nalley Award

The Glenn and Jane Crosby Northwest Region Award for Excellence in High School Teaching

This award recognizes the efforts of extraordinary high school teachers.The awardee is chosen based on the quality of their teaching as evidenced by incorporation of unusually effective teaching methods, ability to challenge and inspire students, willingness to keep up to date in chemistry, and extracurricular work in chemistry or a chemical science.

Congratulations Jennifer Pollard, Ph.D.!

Jennifer Pollard is a chemistry teacher and department chair at Moscow High School, in Moscow, Idaho. She received her Ph.D. at the University of Idaho in physical chemistry, having earned a biochemistry degree, K-12 physical science teaching credential and then an M.A. in education at CalPoly, San Luis Obispo. Her love of the Palouse convinced her to stay as a teacher in the area. Her classes now include: dual credit chem 101, dual credit chem 111 (also advanced placement), and high school chemistry. She focuses on “doing chemistry” by integrating labs, activities and content on a day to day basis, and covering regionally important topics such as nuclear chemistry.

An integral part of the region’s high school curriculum and a strong supporter of furthering hands-on learning in chemistry, Dr. Pollard has built a strong chemistry program at Moscow High School, integrating dual-credit chemistry with the University of Idaho Chemistry Department’s curriculum and initiating AP curriculum into Moscow High. Dr. Pollard frequently partners with the UI Department of Chemistry to show her classes new and exciting instrumentation.

Dr. Pollard’s work has been supported by numerous grants from the Idaho Space Grant Consortium, the Genesee Education Fund and the Office of Energy Resources to help build physics and engineering programs as well as increase the use of solar cells and solar panels at local schools.

Learn more about the Glenn and Jane Crosby Award