Newswise — Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), an independent news outlet of the American Chemical Society (ACS), has unveiled its annual “Talented 12” list. The list highlights early-career researchers in the chemical sciences who are fearlessly tackling difficult global problems. These intrepid innovators in chemistry are featured in the May 19 issue of C&EN; read about the impressive class by visiting https://cenm.ag/t12-2023.

Using a rigorous review process, C&EN selected this year’s Talented 12 from a highly competitive pool. The world-changing work by this year’s group includes research with a variety of applications from medicinal chemistry to investigations of energy to improving sustainable practices.

Below is the list of 2023’s Talented 12 class.

     Iwnetim Iwnetu Abate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
     This materials scientist engineers new electrode materials for energy applications.

     Alex Abela, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
     This medicinal chemist makes life-changing molecules for treating cystic fibrosis. 

     Athina Anastasaki, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich
     This materials chemist shows prowess for pulling polymers apart. 

     Maxx Arguilla, University of California, Irvine
     This materials chemist creates atom-thin wires and sheets with exciting electronic and optical properties.

     Evelyn Auyeung, Dow
     This catalyst specialist wants to create plastics that are easier to recycle.

     Susannah Banziger, Corteva Agriscience
     This formulation chemist uses automation to make agrochemicals more sustainable.

     Marina Evich, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
     This environmental chemist finds new ways to track down contaminants in soil and water. 

     Raúl Hernández Sánchez, Rice University
     This supramolecular chemist uses molecular assemblies to purify water and develop clean energy catalysts.

     Stacy Malaker, Yale University
     This mass spectrometrist develops methods to study challenging sugar-coated proteins. 

     Ben Ofori-Okai, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
     This spectroscopist develops innovative instrumentation to study how matter behaves at the center of planets. 

     Ezgi Toraman, Pennsylvania State University
     This chemical engineer studies technologies that turn waste into fuels, chemicals and other products. 

     Charlotte Vogt, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
     This spectroscopist probes catalysts to accelerate the world’s transition to clean energy.

“I loved reading about the chemists chosen as C&EN’s Talented 12 this year, and I know our audience will too,” says Michael McCoy, C&EN interim editor in chief. “These young scientists are making a mark on the world, both through their research and through outreach to the communities they live in or come from. They reassure me that chemistry will play a role in solving some of our planet’s most pressing problems.”

Members of the Talented 12 will speak about their work and their journeys during a symposium on Aug. 14, at ACS Fall 2023 in San Francisco. If you are interested in obtaining headshots of any of the Talented 12, please contact [email protected].

Do you know a talented chemist who fits the Talented 12 bill? Nominate someone to be considered as a member of next year’s Talented 12 here: https://cenm.ag/t12-nominations-2024. Nominations are due by Jan. 16, 2024.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS’ mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and all its people. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, eBooks and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society, contact [email protected].

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