Biographical Information | Candidate Statement
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Website: http://marindawu.googlepages.com/
California Section. Science is Fun!, Orinda, Calif.
Born: 1950
Academic Record: Ohio State University, B.S., cum laude with distinction in chemistry, 1971; University of Illinois, Ph.D., 1976
Honors: Walter Petersen Award for Outstanding Service, ACS California Section, 2005; ACS Legislative Action Network Honor Roll, 2003; ACS President’s Award for Outstanding Work To Promote the Public Image of Chemistry, 2002; ACS President’s Award for Outstanding Local Section Government Affairs, 2001; ACS President’s Award for Leadership of the California Section as its Centennial Chair, 2001; ACS California Section, Women Chemists Committee, Outstanding Service Award, 2001; Award for Contributions to Excellence in Education, Orinda Union School District, 2003; Special Recognition Award, Dow Chemical Central Research, 1989; Chemistry Department Outstanding Teaching Assistant, University of Illinois, 1975; National Defense Education Act Predoctoral Fellow, 1971–74; National Science Foundation, undergraduate research fellow, 1970–71; Ohio State University, undergraduate research fellow, 1969–70; Mirrors Honorary Society, Ohio State University; Iota Sigma Pi (vice president, 1970–71); Phi Lambda Upsilon (vice president, 1970–71); Kappa Kappa Gamma, Outstanding Senior Award, 1971; Senior Most Dedicated to Her Field Award, 1971; Phi Beta Kappa, 1971
Professional Positions (for past ten years): Science is Fun!, founder and president, 1993 to date; Atometrix Co., cofounder and president, 1999–2000; March Instruments Inc., Research and Development/Marketing, 1997–99
Service in ACS National Offices: Board of Directors, director-at-large, 2007–08; councilor ex officio, 2007–08; Board Committee on Grants & Awards, 2007–08; Awards Review Committee, chair, 2008; Board Committee on Professional & Member Relations, 2007–08; Council Policy Committee (nonvoting), 2003–05; Committee on Chemistry & Public Affairs, committee associate, 2006–08; Committee on Economic & Professional Affairs, 2001–05, chair, 2003–05, committee associate, 1997–98, consultant, 1999; Committee on Public Relations, 1998–99, committee associate, 1997–98; Committee on Local Section Activities, committee associate, 1999–2000; Committee on Economic & Professional Affairs, Employment Services Advisory Board, 1997–99; Committee on Local Section Activities, Task Force on New Awards, chair, 1999–2000; Committee on Economic & Professional Affairs, Task Force on Globalization Issues, 2004–05; Chemistry Enterprise 2015 Governance Advisory Team, 2005
Service in ACS Offices: Member of ACS since 1971. California Section: councilor, 1996–2006; chair, 2001; chair-elect and program chair, 2000; board of directors, director, 2000 to date; Executive Committee, 1994 to date; Government Affairs Committee, chair, 2006 to date; Science Café Program, cochair, 2007 to date; Awards Committee, chair, 2006; Long-Range Planning Committee, 2001–06, chair, 2002; Centennial Celebration Committee, chair, 2001; National Historic Chemical Landmark Committee, 2001–02; Nominations & Elections Committee, chair, 2002; Local Section Career Program, coordinator, 2000 to date; Career Assistance & Transition Group, founder and cochair, 2000 to date; Public Relations cochair, 1996–2004; National Chemistry Week, coordinator, 1996–99; Employment Committee, 1994 to date; Women Chemists Committee, 1993 to date, chair, 1994, cochair, 1999, 1997. Western Regional Meeting: Women Chemists Committee Symposium, chair, 2006
Member: Association for Women in Science; Chinese-American Chemical Society; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Friends of Science. ACS Divisions: Business Development & Management and Professional Relations
Related Activities: ACS Ambassador to the Chinese-American Chemical Society, 2007–08; Chinese-American Chemical Society Communications, advisory board, 2007 to date; ACS Communications Plan Advisory Group, 2008; ACS Career Workshop, presenter, 2000 to date; Local Section Activities Committee, liaison to National Chemistry Week Task Force, contributor to NCW Handbook “Guaranteed to Succeed,” 1999–2000; ACS Legislative Action Network, 1999 to date; Dow Chemical, Dow Plastics, Walnut Creek Lab, central research, 1976–92; Central Research New England Lab, 1978–80; seven U.S. patents, numerous publications, and polymer textbook chapters
CATALYST FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
I am honored to run for re-election as director-at-large. After serving on the ACS Board for two years, my passion is stronger than ever to continue to do my best to serve our members and profession.
Global competition, underemployment, eroding science and engineering enrollment, multidisciplinarity issues, and public misperceptions continue as challenges. ACS certainly cannot overcome these challenges alone. Together, as a society and as individual members, with strategic partners, we must tackle such challenges with fresh ideas. I have the courage and commitment to serve as a much needed catalyst for positive change.
MY BACKGROUND
Diversity. For over 30 years, I have forged partnerships between industry, education, government, and the community. I gained technical, managerial, and entrepreneurial experience working at a large chemical company, a small company, and at startups. Coming from a family of professors, I appreciate the concerns of academia. I understand, respect, and value diversity of all kinds. My multicultural background, diverse experiences, and extensive world travels equip me well to help ACS value the benefits of diversity.
Change Agent. I have always had a desire to be a catalyst for positive change. I founded Science is Fun! to engage young children in the excitement of science. I actively work in public outreach to increase public awareness and improve science education for K–12 and beyond. My ACS Comment (C&EN, June 7, 2004, page 40) on “How Should ACS Treat Global Outsourcing?” highlights the need for ACS to adapt. As ACS councilor and chair at local and national levels, I have always advocated collaboration between local sections, divisions, and other organizations.
Extensive ACS Experience. An ACS member for 38 years, I have made it a priority to contribute at local, regional, and national levels. I am “Proud to be a Chemist.” For details, visit http://marindawu.googlepages.com.
MY PRIORITIES
Support Lifelong Career and Professional Development. Audiences for the ACS Career Workshops I have presented for years at national, regional, and local meetings are increasingly gray-haired. Downsizings and layoffs continue. Our members must be prepared because there is little job security today. I advocate developing innovative ways to better equip members for today’s global work environment.
Members are living longer and continuing to work in the same or different careers. I believe in lifelong learning and development. Whether for recent graduates or retirees, ACS must continually support our members’ professional growth.
Improve Science Literacy and Education. To improve public perception of chemistry and maintain competitiveness in innovation, I work tirelessly to increase awareness among legislators and the general public of the importance of science literacy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. I support increased public outreach, such as science cafés, to connect the general public with scientists. Our local section science cafés attract positive interest from both the public and the media.
This spring, I visited Capitol Hill twice: First I traveled with ACS teams, joining sister societies in SETWG (Science-Engineering-Technology Work Group) to advocate funding science and later with the ACS Board for the Legislative Summit. As local Government Affairs Committee chair, I collaborate with other GACs in our state government affairs advocacy pilot. I recently met Congressman George Miller, chair of the House Committee on Education & Labor, and led a team of scientists to discuss STEM education and related issues with his district director. Visit www.act4chemistry.org/ca.
I encourage more members to join LAN (Legislative Action Network) and local section GACs. Our collective effort to increase funding for research and education is critical to driving our economy and maintaining global competitiveness.
Collaborate on Global Challenges. My ACS Comment this year (C&EN, Feb. 18, page 41) on “Global Collaboration and Challenges” describes successful first steps toward collaboration with major universities in China. I was privileged to represent ACS when a Chinese delegation visited the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University as part of their U.S. tour. As the first Asian-American elected to the ACS Board, I have worked to make connections and hope to help ACS in its international endeavors. Exciting possibilities lie ahead for collaborations to address global challenges.
Enhance Effectiveness of Board and Council. Directors-at-large serve as vital links between council and the board. Communication and collaboration are essential. I welcome input and will do my best to represent diverse member interests. Fiscal responsibility, increased efficiency, and prudent actions are my goals.
MY PLEDGE TO YOU
I have the experience, capability, and determination to help ACS achieve our vision for the future. If re-elected, I pledge to work with you, continue to speak up for our members’ interests, and act as a catalyst for positive change.
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