LVACS Communities
Chemistry is done by everybody. Within LVACS, there are many communities which contribute uniquely to the human endeavor of learning and research. The Section celebrates the many viewpoints these communities bring to our membership.
The ACS Inclusion and Belonging Core Value:
"We create environments where people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences thrive."
More information on the ACS Strategic Plan 2025-2029
"We create environments where people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences thrive."
More information on the ACS Strategic Plan 2025-2029
LVACS Women Chemists Committee
Chair: Yi Du, duyidoit@gmail.com
Chair: Yi Du, duyidoit@gmail.com
Women Chemists Fall Events: The Art of Science Communication and Navigating Leadership
Join us on August 24 at the ACS Fall 2026 meeting in Chicago, IL for the Women in the Chemical Enterprise Networking Breakfast. Katie Pyfer, a consultant at Egon Zehnder’s Industrial Practice, will talk about “Navigating Leadership in the Modern Chemical Industry.” On August 25, the WCC Luncheon will feature keynote speaker Kate Biberdorf, a chemist, science entertainer, and professor at Notre Dame, who will talk about “the Art of Science Communication.” The WCC 2026 Overcoming Challenges Award winner, Amaya Pablo, will also give special remarks. Winners of the Merck Research Award and the Lilly Emerging Talent Award will be recognized as well. During the afternoon, WCC will kick off acknowledgement of its 100th anniversary in 2027 with a special symposium “Women in the Chemical Enterprise: Lessons from the Laboratory and Life” highlighting several outstanding women chemists. The breakfast and luncheon are ticketed events. If you would like to attend, you can make a purchase via your ACS registration. For more information, send an email to WCC@acs.org. We hope you will join us.
LVACS Women Chemists Do Chocolate!
Our local ACS women chemists learned about chocolate chemistry from cocoa meister Jeanne Berk and made some pretty fantastic molded treats at Christmas City Chocolates, LV, in Bethlehem Township March 13th! [no sign of friggatriskaidekaphobia here!] Many thanks to WCC chair Yi Du for hosting us.
Announcing the 2026 ACS Women Chemists Committee Chair: Indu Kheterpal
We are pleased to introduce Indu Kheterpal as the new Chair of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Women Chemists Committee (WCC) for 2026. Indu Kheterpal currently serves as the Head of Global Quality at Albemarle Corporation. She is widely recognized for her strong leadership skills and her commitment to advancing the mission of the ACS through various roles. Read more about Indu.
We are pleased to introduce Indu Kheterpal as the new Chair of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Women Chemists Committee (WCC) for 2026. Indu Kheterpal currently serves as the Head of Global Quality at Albemarle Corporation. She is widely recognized for her strong leadership skills and her commitment to advancing the mission of the ACS through various roles. Read more about Indu.
The WCC introduced members to the art of mosaic making at Smartivities studio in a holiday event at the Promenade Shops in Lower Saucon Township December 17th, 2025.
Great Event for the LVACS Women Chemists Committee April 30th 2025 at Painting with a Twist in Bethlehem! Thanks to Yi Du, LVACS WCC Chair, career panelists Dan Wu from Dow and Sara Yacob from ExxonMobil and our painting muse, Jean, for putting us all in the picture!
The LVACS Women Chemists Committee event December 18th at Color Me Mine in Bethlehem was an artistic endeavor worthy of Michelangelo (or at least his students!). Hosted by new WCC Chair Yi Du of ExxonMobil R&D, 12 members and friends took paint brushes in hand to decorate their favorite pottery substrate while sharing some career insights and other personal interests. It was a great time and a super way to cap off the year 2024 for LVACS. We thank Yi for organizing and hosting this unique event!
LVACS Younger Chemists Committee
Chair: Steven Boyer, sboyer11@esu.edu
Chair: Steven Boyer, sboyer11@esu.edu
The LVACS - Philadelphia ACS Career Exploration Event held November 5th, 2025 gave undergraduates and graduate students from Lehigh Valley area schools a chance to find out more about local chemistry-related employment opportunities and to practice resume and interviewing skills.
Mini-ChemLuminary Award Spring 2025
East Stroudsburg University Student Affiliate Chemistry Club
East Stroudsburg University STEM Club
Photo: Evan Simmons, Lukas Bradley and James Heath with Dr. Steven Boyer, advisor
More Ruger Awards were given to students traveling to present papers at MARM 2025 and Fall ACS 2025.
Five undergraduate students from Lehigh Valley ACS Colleges received the $150 George Ruger LVACS Travel Scholarship Award to attend the 2025 Spring ACS Meeting
LVACS Communities Contacts
Yi Du, Chair, Women Chemists Committee, duyidoit@gmail.com
Steve Boyer, Chair, Younger Chemists Committee, sboyer11@esu.edu
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