Chemistry faculty, staff named inaugural fellows of chemical society

Four University of Wisconsin–Madison chemistry faculty and staff are among a group of 162 distinguished chemists, teachers and entrepreneurs selected by the American Chemical Society (ACS) as the inaugural class of ACS fellows.

The fellows were selected for excellence in their contributions to the field of chemistry and the American Chemical Society through research, teaching, innovation and service.

The four UW–Madison honorees are professor emeritus Charles Casey, professors F. Fleming Crim and John Moore, and distinguished faculty associate Catherine Middlecamp.

“Election to this inaugural class of fellows is a clear indication of the outstanding contributions they have made in research and education, and to their dedicated service to the American Chemical Society and the chemistry profession,” says Robert Hamers, chair of the chemistry department. “This is a well-deserved honor for four terrific people.”

• Casey studies organometallic chemistry, including reactions involved in the synthesis of many common plastics, and is also a strong advocate for chemistry education. Casey is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a past president of the ACS.
• Crim uses lasers to study the influence of molecular vibrations on the course of chemical reactions in both gases and liquids. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
• Middlecamp has directed the UW–Madison Chemistry Learning Center since 1989. She uses real-world issues such as air quality and global warming to engage students in learning chemistry. She is editor in chief of Chemistry in Context, a national curriculum reform project of the ACS and received an ACS national award in 2003 for encouraging women in careers in the chemical sciences.
• Moore researches and develops interactive and multimedia teaching materials to improve chemistry education, including online and computer-based tutorials and demonstrations, new software, and hands-on activities for a range of ages. He has received numerous teaching awards throughout his career and is also the editor of the Journal of Chemical Education.

The scientists will be honored Monday, Aug. 17, at a ceremony during the ACS fall national meeting to be held in Washington, D.C. The ACS, founded in 1876, is the world’s largest scientific society.