I started my chemistry adventure while in high school, where I was the only female in a science and mathematics oriented class. During our Junior year of high school, we were sent to the desert, close to the Red Sea in Israel to build roads. In the summers, we were in a Kibbutz on the border to help with the work needed. After work, we had time to discuss our future plans. Upon graduating from high school, I was drafted into the Army, and in the evenings, started my college education and majored in chemistry. While conducting research on isotope effects, I realized that I wanted to make chemistry accessible to all. My tenant in life is that equal access to Science Education is a human right. I developed a method of teaching chemistry using art, music, dance, and drama, which attracted students at all educational levels to chemistry. I felt that as chemists, we have obligations to make the planet a better place for humankind. At this point, I became very active in working towards Scientific Freedom and Human Rights; helping chemists in the Soviet Union, China, Chile, Guatemala, and many other countries. This work led me to use chemistry as a bridge to peace in the Middle East by organizing Conferences which bring together chemists from fifteen Middle East Countries with six Nobel Laureates for six days. The Conferences allow the participants to collaborate on solutions to problems facing the Middle East and the World. The issues are; Air and Water Quality, Alternative Energy Sources, and Science Education at all Levels.  I started my career by building roads and through chemistry, moved to building a bridge to Peace in the Middle East.

From building roads to building peace: A woman chemist's odyssey

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.