23-May-2023 - American Chemical Society (ACS)

Intrepid early-career researchers who are fearlessly tackling difficult global problems

Talented 12: Chemical & Engineering News announces its 2023 rising stars in chemistry

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.

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.

Facts, background information, dossiers
  • material science
  • medicinal chemistry
  • cystic fibrosis
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