WoW Blog

Darleane C. Hoffman is an American nuclear chemist who was part of the team that confirmed element 106, seaborigum.

Early Life

Darleane Hoffman was born on November 8, 1926 in Terril, Iowa. After graduating from high school, Hoffman attended Iowa State College and first majored in applied art. Later, she was inspired by her chemistry professor, Nellie Naylor, to change direction.

When she first changed her major to chemistry, Hoffman had some reservations. She knew that many women in science had to choose between having a career or a family. Hoffman knew that she wanted both, and was further inspired by Marie Curie, who made many discoveries and won two Nobel prizes while raising two daughters.

Darleane Hoffman continued at Iowa State to earn her Ph.D. During this time, she also met her husband, a fellow doctoral student. While he finished his degree, Darleane went to work at Oak Ridge Laboratory in Tennessee. After her husband graduated, they went to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory in northern New Mexico to research nuclear chemistry.

Discoveries and Achievements

Darleane Hoffman worked at Los Alamos for approximately 31 years. During her time there, she focused mainly upon "heavy"' elements - those with high atomic masses and an atomic number greater than 92. These types of elements do not exist naturally, but are discovered or created by scientists. Hoffman also searched for new elements and isotopes in debris from nuclear tests.

Ever since the discovery of plutonium in the 1940s, scientists did not believe that elements with an atomic number higher than uranium could occur in nature. It was Hoffman who discovered small amounts of plutonium isotope (plutonium-244) in a rock formation said to be several billion years old.

Darleane Hoffman also performed a rare study of the chemistry of hahnium (also known as dubnium). She used the isotope hahnium-262, which has a half-life of 35 seconds, to study how the element behaved in an aqueous solution and in a gas phase. She later studied the same properties of lawrencium-103, which (luckily) had a half-life of three minutes.

Darleane Hoffman also studied spontaneous fission of known fermium isotopes from nuclear debris. She used her expertise to research the problem of nuclide migration in the environment. This research eventually left Los Alamos for the Yucca Mountain Project, an underground repository for nuclear wastes.

In 1984, Darleane Hoffman left Los Alamos to become a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. She also became a researcher at the affiliated Lawerence Berkeley National Laboratory, where she was involved with the discovery of super-heavy elements 114 and 116.

Awards

Darleane Hoffman made many important discoveries throughout her career. These discoveries have not gone unnoticed by the scientific community. Some of the awards she has received include the Guggenheim Fellowship in 1978, the ACS Award for Nuclear Chemistry in 1983 (she was the first woman to win the award), the Garvan-Olin medal in 1990, the National Medal of Science in 1997, and the Priestley Medal from the American Chemical Society in 2000.

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darleane_C._Hoffman

http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/jcewww/Features/eChemists/Bios/Hoffman.html

http://www.chemheritage.org/women_chemistry/univ/hoffman.html

Last month, Carol Nadelson, M.D., former-president of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), was awarded the prestigious 2009 Alma Dea Morani, M.D., Renaissance Woman Award. The award was given by the Foundation for the History of Women in Medicine.

The Renaissance Woman Award honors outstanding women physicians or scientists in North America, who've furthered the practice and understanding of medicine; made significant contributions outside of medicine; whose "determination and spirit have carried her beyond traditional pathways in medicine and science"; and who've continually challenged the status quo with their passion for learning.

Nada Stotland, current APA president, believes "This is a richly deserved award" for Dr. Nadelson.

Career

For over four decades, Carol Nadelson has been involved in the career development of women physicians and researchers. She is credited for mentoring generations of men and women leaders in psychiatry. She is also recognized as an authority on sexual harassment, assault, and misconduct.

In 1979, Dr. Nadelson became vice chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the New England Medical Center and Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine.

In 1984, she was elected the first woman president of the American Psychiatric Association. During her time with the APA, Nadelson led the American Psychiatric Press Inc. as editor-in-chief, president, and chief executive officer from 1986-2001.

Carol Nadelson has written over 230 scientific publications and chapters, co-edited more than 40 books, and produced 18 tapes. Throughout her career, she has presented over 1,000 talks at academic and medical conferences worldwide on topic including women's health and mental heath, medical education, ethics, and women's leadership and career development.

Appointments and Awards

Dr. Carol Nadelson has received many appointments that have allowed her to impact and influence policy. She has served on many committees and boards, including the Harvard Medical School Admissions Committee and Faculty Council, the Council for Medical Education and Career Development, the APA Ethical Appeals Board, the Committee on Medical Student Education, and the Council of National Affairs. Dr. Nadelson is also a founder of Havard's Joint Committee on the Status of Women.

Carol Nadelson has received many awards for her contributions to the medical and psychiatric communities, including:

• Election into Alpha Omega Alpha, the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Psychiatry from the American College of Psychiatrists.
• The APA Seymour Vestermark Award for her contributions to psychiatric education.
• The Boston YWCA's Woman of Achievement Award.
• The Elizabeth Blackwell Award.
• The AMA's Sidney Cohen Award for outstanding contributions to the understanding of addiction.
• The American Medical Women's Association award for Recognition of the Outstanding Contributions to the Cause of Women in the Field of Medicine;
• The APA Alexandra Symond's award, recognizing outstanding contributions to women's mental health.

Resources:

http://medhealthcare.wordpress.com/2009/05/16/first-woman-apa-president-honored-for-leadership-in-medicine/

http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/44/8/34-a

http://www.womenshealthresearch.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_nadelson

Last Thursday, it was announced that Anne Mulcahy, Xerox Chair and Chief Executive Officer, will step down from her position as CEO. Mulcahy named current president Ursula Burns to be her successor, starting July 1, 2009. This will mark the first woman-to-woman transition in any Fortune 500 company. Additionally, this announcement makes Xerox the largest company led by an African-American woman.

Who is Ursula Burns?

Ursula Burns was born in New York City in 1958. Although little information is available about her childhood, it is known that she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Polytechnic Institute of New York in 1980. She later earned a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University in 1981.

From Intern to President

Ursula Burns began working for the Xerox Corporation in 1980 as a mechanical engineering intern. During her time with the company, Burns later held positions in product development and planning. In June 1991, Burns became the executive assistant to then CEO and Chair, Paul A. Allaire.

From 1992 to 2000, Ursula Burns headed business teams including the office color and fax business, office network copying business, and the departmental business units. In May 2000, she earned the role of senior vice president for Corporate Strategic Services. In this important role, Burns headed manufacturing and supply chain operations. Later, she took on the broader role of leading global research at Xerox while assuming responsibility for product development, marketing and delivery.

In 2007, Ursula Burns was named president of Xerox. As president, her leadership expanded to include Xerox's IT organization, corporate strategy, human resources, corporate marketing, and global accounts.

Transitioning in a "Daunting Time"

Burns' promotion comes after two straight quarters of sales decline in what is said to be the worst economic downturn in more than 50 years. In her new position, Ursula Burns will have to focus on maintaining Xerox's cash flow, while improving the product line.

Burns acknowledged the sales decline herself in an interview earlier this month. "The market is definitely softer today," she said. "There are less buying decisions, but many, many still going on."

John Engler, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, a trade organization where Burns once served as a director, believes the she will transition well. "Ursula brings a real set of skills. She's creative, very direct. This will be a very peaceful transition," he said.

Boards and Honors

In addition to her hard work at Xerox, Ursula Burns serves on several professional and community boards including: American Express, Boston Scientific Corp., the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, the National Association of Manufacturers, the University of Rochester, and the Rochester Business Alliance.

In 2008, Ursula Burns was named the 10^th most powerful woman by Forbes Magazine – this was up one spot from the year before.

Resources:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aIhEvH.6FCaE&refer=us

http://www.xerox.com/go/xrx/template/inv_rel_newsroom.jsp?ed_name=Ursula_Burns&app=Newsroom&format=biography&view=ExecutiveBiography

http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/21/news/companies/xerox_ceo/?postversion=2009052114

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0809/gallery.women_mostpowerful.fortune/10.html

A recent survey called Women, Science and Success: The New Face of Innovation found that 65% of Americans cannot name even one famous female scientist. Additionally, the survey also found that 74% of Americans believe that women are underrepresented in science-related fields.

In our current economic climate, Americans are expressing concern about the impact of the underrepresentation of women in science. This concern is one of the reasons behind the L'Oreal USA commissioned survey. The company hopes to bring awareness to the important contributions made by women in science, and encourage more women to pursue science-related careers.

L'Oreal USA enlisted Opinion Research to conduct a telephone survey of 1,000 Americans in April 2009. Some of the survey's findings regarding scientific research and discovery include:

• Forty-eight percent of Americans feel that the United States lags behind other countries in investing in scientific research, development and discovery.

• Eighty-seven percent of people feel that scientific research, development and discovery lead to innovation and invention that would contribute to growth of the U.S. economy.

• Eighty-eight percent believe that if the U.S. invested more resources into scientific research, development and discovery, it would generate job growth.

With regard to women in science, the survey found that nearly all Americans (97%) felt that women are capable of making significant contributions. Eighty-seven percent of respondents even said that more women are needed in science-related fields to ensure scientific and technological progress.

The Women, Science and Success: The New Face of Innovation survey also said that many Americans see a danger in not encouraging women in science. Fifty-nine percent of survey participants said that the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields could hinder U.S. scientific and economic growth.

Recommended Solutions

Seven out of ten participants surveyed believe that the U.S government and corporations should invest additional resources to encourage women to pursue scientific careers.

"For society to meet the scientific challenges of the 21st century, we need to do more to fully engage the contributions of all citizens, particularly women, in science-related fields…We need our best and brightest minds advancing research, making discoveries and helping to stimulate the economy. Women are a pivotal part of that progress," said Laurent Attal, President and CEO L'Oreal USA.

Do you have a favorite woman scientist? Make her known - L'Oreal has teamed up with the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology and created a webpage of twenty famous women scientists and provide a poll to vote for your favorite (with the option to add your favorite if she isn't listed) – click here to vote!

Resources:

http://sev.prnewswire.com/retail/20090507/NY1284107052009-1.html

http://www.newscientist.com/special/women-in-science-2009-intro

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson has enjoyed a distinguished career as a scientist, educator, and public policy advocate. The president of Rensselear Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York is the recipient of many honors, including the 1993 New Jersey Governor's Award in Science.

Hall of Fame and Golden Torch

In 1998, Shirley Jackson was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame for significant and profound contributions as a distinguished scientist and advocate for education, science, and public policy.

In March 2000, Dr. Jackson was awarded the Golden Torch Award for Lifetime Achievement in Academia from the National Society of Black Engineers. In June of the same year, she was inducted into the Women in Technology International Foundation Hall of Fame (WITI). Also in 2000, Shirley Ann Jackson received the "100 Women of Excellence" award from the Albany-Colonie (New York) Regional Chamber of Commerce & Women's Business Council.

From Physics to ESSENCE

In January 2001, Jackson received the "Richtmyer Memorial Lecture Award" from the American Association of Physics Teachers. A month later, she received the 2001 "Immortal Award" for the 15th Annual Black History Makers Award, sponsored by Associated Black Charities. Also in February 2001, Dr. Jackson became the first woman to win the Black Engineer of the Year Award by US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine.

In 2002, Shirley Jackson was named one of Discover Magazine's Top 50 Women in Science. She was also recognized in a published book by ESSENCE called "50 of The Most Inspiring African-Americans". That same year, Dr. Jackson was named "50 R&D Stars to Watch" by Industry Week Magazine.

A Role Model and National Treasure

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson was named one of seven fellows of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) in 2004. In 2005, Time Magazine referred to the RPI president as "perhaps the ultimate role model for women in science". In 2006, she received the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' President's Award for her "outstanding contributions to the engineering profession and for her dedication to the promotion of diversity and inclusion in engineering education" in 2006.

When the National Science Board (NSB) selected Dr. Jackson as a recipient of the prestigious Vannevar Bush Award for "a lifetime of achievements in scientific research, education, and senior statesman-like contributions to public policy" in 2007, she was described as a "national treasure". Shirley Jackson was also honored by AARP The Magazine as one of its ten 2007 Impact Award winners given to "extraordinary" people who have made the world a better place through their work.

Leadership and Creativity

In 2008, Jackson received the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' (ASME) Ralph Coats Roe Medal "for significant contributions to science and technology education, and professional practice; and through her leadership and creativity has inspired others to pursue careers in engineering and science; and for notable public service and contributions to the nation and humankind." She was also honored with the L'Oreal USA For Women in Science Role Model Award for raising awareness of the critical role that women play in the sciences.

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson is a scientist, educator, and public policy advocate who has accomplished more than many of her peers. Today, her work continues to inspire, inform, and educate.

Editor's Note: Click here for Part 1 of this two-part biography. Click here for a recent Engineering News story about Dr. Jackson's recent appointment President's Council of Advisors in Science and Technology (PCAST).

Resources:

http://www.rpi.edu/president/profile.html

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=794366&category=RENSSELAER

http://www.cbs6albany.com/news/shirley-1262842-ann-president.html