The American Chemical Society (ACS) has announced that Dr. Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, a chemistry professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will become president of the Society, effective January 1, 2012. Dr. Shakhashiri was elected in 2010 to serve a three-year term on the board of directors as president-elect in 2011, president in 2012 and immediate past president in 2013.
Dr. Shakhashiri’ s presidential theme for 2012 is ‘Advancing Chemistry and Communicating Chemistry,’ which captures his commitment to support basic research, education and innovation and to communicate the values and role of the chemical sciences to the general public. One of his major purposes of communicating chemistry is to showcase chemistry at its best in addressing significant human and societal issues. As part of that theme, he has four major priorities. These are: Foster public understanding of the science of climate change; ensure graduate programmes are preparing students for future careers that are critical to ensure US prosperity; increase the number of highly qualified high school chemistry teachers through fellowships for chemistry undergraduates; and celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Morrill Land Grant Act.
Dr. Shakhashiri is the first holder of the William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he has been a professor since 1970. In 1983, he was the founding director of the Institute for Chemical Education.
An ACS member since 1962, Shakhashiri has won many honors and is an elected Fellow of numerous prestigious scientific organisations, including the New York Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Chemical Society. In addition, Shakhashiri holds seven honorary doctorate degrees from institutions of higher learning. He is a national and international consultant to government agencies, academic institutions, industry and private foundations on policy and practice matters related to science and education at all levels.
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