Candidate for Treasurer

Colleges/Universities Attended; Degrees Awarded:

She earned her B.S. in chemistry from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1965, and her Ph.D. from the University of California-Berkeley in 1969

Most Significanbt Professional Accomplishments:

After a postdoctoral appointment at UNC from 1969 to 1971, she has held positions at the Research Triangle Institute, Radian Corporation, and ERG, and is currently a senior chemist at the Environmental Protection Agency, where she works as a grantee through the Senior Environmental Employee program.

Hobbies/Interests:

Joan is an independent contractor with Research Square. There, she is an editor of science and engineering manuscripts written in faulty English by non-native speakers before the authors submit the manuscripts for publication to journals that publish in English. For years she has held season tickets to the Chapel Hill series of the North Carolina Symphony, having been a music teacher in her years in Omaha.

Contributions to the NC-ACS and the ACS:

Joan has been Treasurer of the NCACS for thirty years and has been honored twice with its Marcus E. Hobbs Award for volunteers.

My Plans for Service to the NC-ACS, if Elected:

I have developed the process for creating the annual budget for the section, oversee the solicitation of local grant awards, maintain the books of the annual SEED programs separately, and manage the Section’s accounts with investment services.

Colleges/Universities Attended; Degrees Awarded:

James Lee Chao received his B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois - Urbana in 1975 and 1976.  He earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of California-Berkeley in low-temperature solid-state molecular spectroscopy in 1980

Contributions to the NC-ACS and the ACS:

Local Section Service -

Jim has served the North Carolina local section in a number of capacities including Chairman in 1991, alternate councilor in 1992, and councilor from 1993 to 2017.  While serving as chair-elect of the section, he reinstated the section’s participation in Project SEED.  In the area of outreach, in 1996 Jim lead the initiative for an interactive NC-ACS exhibit at the NC State Fair, which became an annual activity.  For over 20 years, Jim has served on the selection committee for the Undergraduate Scholarship program, including six years as the Chair.  He received the Marcus E. Hobbs Service Award in 1997.  Jim served as the 2012 SERMACS Awards Program Chair for the Southeast Region. Dr. Chao is currently completing his service as an alternate councilor.  He is also completing 5 years of local section service as a  co-chair of the NC Senior Chemist Committee.  In the past two years he has been recognized the National ACS Chemluminary Award in 2024 for Best Continuing Senior Chemists Activity for tours at NCSU Centennial Campus.  This year, the SCC was a Finalist for a Chemluminary Award for one of the Best New Senior Chemists Activity for organizing a Behind-The-Scenes of the Restoration Laboratory at the  North in Carolina Museum of Art.

National Service -

In 1990, he was sent to Washington, D.C. to work on strategies for local fund raising for the National ACS Campaign For Chemistry.  From 1997-2001, he served on the International Activities Committee.  In 2002 he was appointed to the Committee on Patents and Related Matters and served as the National Chair for three years, 2011-2013.  From 2008-2011, he was subcommittee chair of National Awards.  He was responsible for preparing nominations for the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and the National Women’s Hall of Fame.  Jim was appointed in 2012 to the Presidential Task Force On Jobs And Advocacy, which led to an invited paper in 2013 at the Presidential Symposium On Alternative Careers In Chemistry based on his unique experience in intellectual property licensing.  In 2013, Dr. Chao was named an ACS Fellow through nomination by the North Carolina Section.

Most Significant Professional Accomplishments:

Dr. Chao is best known for his work in developing FT-IR sampling methods, particularly in time-resolved step-scan and stroboscopic methods as well as photoacoustic and photothermal methods which he helped make possible.  His instrumentation expertise was used to deliver special design and implementation for NASA programs and for the Plutonium Storage Facility at the Los Alamos National Lab.

IBM remembers that Dr. Chao was its first appointment to the RTP Technical Interchange Program to encourage Industrial researchers to collaborate with the major universities surrounding the newly formed Research Triangle.  From his collaboration with Professor Richard Palmer, over 100 papers, manuscripts, and books were published with over ten Ph.D. graduates!

At IBM, Jim was equally prolific, having published more than 200 technical reports, releases, and news articles and being identified twice as the IBM RTP Author of the Year. When he retired in 2008, he held the title of Emerging Technology Strategist which combined his training in intellectual property licensing and business development!

Dr. Chao is currently serving as alternate councilor and Co-chair of the NC Senior Chemists Committee that just won him another Chemluminary Award for the Section!

Hobbies/Interests Outside of Chemistry:

In his free time, Jim enjoys gardening, taking care of his Koi pond, attending musical performances, and investing in the stock market.

Plans for Service to the NC-ACS, if Elected:

Dr. Chao has served as Councilor for over 25 years for the Section, and looks forward to maintaining a perfect record for attendance at National Meetings. I hope to quickly receive a Joint Board-Council appointment having been known to be a contributor. I was appointed as Chair of the Committee on Patents and Related Matters and served my Statutory limit.

Colleges/Universities Attended; Degrees Awarded:

University of South Carolina, B.S., 1991
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Ph.D., 1996

Hobbies/Interests Outside of Chemistry:
Travel, running, swimming, and gardening

Contributions to the NC‐ACS and the ACS:

National -

Member, Budget and Finance Committee, 2025 (anticipate continuing)

ACS Candidate for President-Elect, 2024

Chair, Committee on Membership Affairs, 2022-2024

Committee on Membership Affairs, 2018 – 2024

Board of Trustees for Member Insurance, 2022 – 2024

Chair, Women Chemists Committee 2017

Women Chemists Committee 2007 – 2017

Task force on Future of Meetings 2019 – 2020.

NC-ACS - 

Councilor, 2008-present, 

Alternate Councilor, 2004. 

Chair, WCC 2012 – 2016; 

Chair, Project SEED 2013 – 2016

Co-chair Education and WCC Subcommittees, 2014 – present.

Most Significant Professional Accomplishments:

My contributions include teaching thousands of students general, physical, and computational chemistry over the course of my career at NC State University. I have been a Department Associate Head for many years with responsibilities that have included finance, and managing staff, safety, and facilities, including a $140M occupied renovation of our main chemistry building.  I regularly advocate for improved academic policies and procedures.  In the ACS, I have worked on improving gender equity in the WCC, and on leading both the WCC and Membership Affairs Committees to improve membership and the member experience. ACS recognized me as a Fellow for these contributions in 2021.

Plans for Service to the NC‐ACS, if Elected:

My plans as Councilor are to continue attending all national meetings, preferably in person, to represent you all, and continue my service on the Budget and Finance Committee. I am also co-leading our Education and WCC committees locally, and I participate in other outreach events. I also seek to mentor undergraduate students and professionals for leadership roles in the profession and ACS.

Colleges/Universities Attended; Degrees Awarded:

Ph.D., Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC (2004)

B.A., Chemistry, Albany State University, Albany, GA (1998)

Hobbies/Interests Outside of Chemistry: 

Mentoring youth

Traveling

Binge watching international shows

Reading psychological thrillers or suspense novels

Contributions to the NC-ACS and the ACS:

I have been involved in ACS in some capacity since the early 2000s . I have presented and volunteered at SERMACS events.

Most Significant Professional Accomplishments:

I established and currently direct a research opportunity for undergraduate students across campus - Environmental Resources Water Assessment Training Program (ERWATP) at NC State University.

I have been awarded funds from various entities to support research development based on community engagement and undergraduate student training.

I was honored through the NC State Environmental Resource Clinic Student Training Program (now ERWATP) as part of the NC Source Water Protection Award (2024) and the NC State Faculty Sustainability Award (2025).

Currently employed as Assistant Teaching Professor at NC State University, along with directing the Environmental Technology & Management Program and co-directing the Environmental Sciences Program within the College of Natural Resources.

Previously, I have had the opportunity instruct and mentor as several other academia locations -

● Shaw University, Chemistry Program Coordinator (2016 - 2021)

● Lenoir Community College, Natural Sciences Department Chair, Chemistry Program Coordinator (2008 - 2016)

○ Adjunct

● St. Augustine’s University - Organic Chemistry

● William Peace University - General Chemistry Lab

● East Carolina State University -General Chemistry Lab

● Durham Technical Community College - Intro to Chemistry

● Pitt Community College - General Chemistry, GOB courses

● Beaufort Community College - General Chemistry

● Wake Technical Community College - General Chemistry

Plans for Service to the NC-ACS, if Elected:

I plan to focus on gaining more personal experience with ACS. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to explore areas beyond chemistry, which has deepened my appreciation for how interconnected our disciplines truly are. I hope to bring my diverse background to ACS, offering fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Additionally, as an advocate for supporting the next generation, I’m eager to learn how to better engage undergraduate students and help them recognize the value of ACS as they grow in their academic and professional journeys.

Colleges/Universities Attended; Degrees Awarded:
Meredith College, BS Chemistry and BA Biology, 2019
Virginia Commonwealth University, MS Forensic Science, Concentration in Chemistry: Drug Analysis and Toxicology, 2021
NC State University, PhD Teaching and Learning STEM, expected 2029

Hobbies/Interests Outside of Chemistry:
Spending time with my husband and 5 dogs, crocheting, and being involved in Meredith's campus events.

Contributions to the NC-ACS and the ACS:
·  Member of ACS for 5 years
·  Assisted with facilities planning for SERMACS 2023, including coordinating all volunteers
·  Served as Meredith's student ACS president from fall 2017-Spring 2019

Most Significant Professional Accomplishments:
·  Lab manager (administrative faculty) at Meredith College since 2022
·  Installed a chapter of Gamma Sigma Epsilon Chemistry Honor Society at Meredith College and currently serve as the advisor
·  Previously served as a Forensic Drug Chemist for the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

Plans for Service to the NC-ACS, if Elected:
I am looking forward to representing NC-ACS at national meetings, as needed.