Who would have thought that 2020 would be the kind of year it was? – It was full of restrictions, fear, personal tragedies and victories, and amazing scientific accomplishments, such as developing several vaccines in less than one year!  As a Chemistry Professor and mother of three, my professional and personal tasks were clear, keep my students, my family and myself safe and sane and continue to accomplish science, write grants and papers as if the world were normal.  In an environment where every evening we counted the daily number of COVID-related deaths hoping that the numbers would begin to reduce, science did provide some consolation and shelter because it remains amazing!  Pushing harder than ever my students still managed their coursework and doing this by relying more on me and each other and finding their strength within.  Looking back, my group was still able to graduate three female students with a Ph.D. and double that of undergraduates, which all continued to careers after Colorado State University.  How did it happen?  An old Chinese Proverb states “The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.” I think that the fear combined with resilience makes us find the strength within and take advance of opportunities regardless of what happens in the world around us.  In that way, I was part of one of the few virtual REU programs over the summer of 2020 and organized the Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting, the only Regional ACS meeting in 2020.

A testimony to the resilience of women and the wonders of chemistry

ACS Fall 2021

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