The following story originally appeared on the Arts & Sciences website. – Ed.
On Oct. 4, the William & Mary chapter of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) won six awards at the 51st annual NOBCChE National Conference in Orlando, Florida.
These recognitions include:
- The K-12 National Outreach Award awarded to the entire chapter
- The Winifred Burke-Houck Undergraduate Leadership Award awarded to Jada Bonds ’25
- The Northeast Regional Rising Star Award awarded to Kyle Lewis-Johnson ’25
- Best Poster for Green Chemistry and Chemical Education at the Undergraduate Level awarded to Vanessa Dunu ’26
- Best Poster in the Biological Sciences and the American Chemical Society Student Exchange Award, both awarded to Bilalay Tchadi ’25.
The conference was an opportunity for chemistry students to share their research and engage in professional development, while also receiving recognition for their academic achievements. William & Mary’s chapter, founded in 2018, has attended the conference every year, a reflection of its commitment to increasing the number of graduating chemistry majors of color by building professional connections and providing research and outreach opportunities.
Isaiah Speight, assistant professor of chemistry and WMSURE Faculty Fellow, is a former NOBCChE National Board member who now serves as the chapter’s faculty advisor.
“(The conference) is a great place for scientists of all calibers, junior scholars, undergraduates, even sometimes high school students, all the way up to seasoned professionals, retirees and various faculty to come together and share exciting types of science,” said Speight.
William & Mary’s chapter has successfully fostered numerous scientific achievements among students by providing a space on campus for Black chemists to thrive.
“The students have shown that they are doing something special, and they deserve to be recognized,” said Speight.
Along with attending the annual NOBCChE Conference, William & Mary’s chapter meets biweekly and host events such as alumni panels, experiments, and professional development workshops.
“The overarching goal of NOBCChE is to promote and support Black chemists, and the chapter (at William & Mary) aligns with that mission very well. It’s important due to the lack of representation in chemistry, overall,” said Speight.
“The goal of the chapter here is to create that environment at William & Mary where there are many underrepresented STEM students who need that support and want that community. We’re building that and we’re showing that we are present, we are here, we are successful, and we know how to navigate, support, grow, and foster a space where the scientists can be safe.”
Bilalay Tchadi ’25, the president of William & Mary’s chapter, values the personal growth being part of NOBCChE has fostered in him.
“NOBCChE has made me feel part of the scientific family, here at W&M and beyond — a community that isn’t always welcoming to Black and other minority scientists,” said Tchadi.
“This organization has inspired and enabled me to get more involved with community outreach on and off campus, sharing some of the cool weirdness science has to offer. NOBCChE gave me the push to pursue a chemistry major and also connected me with my current PI and mentor, Professor Taylor, whose guidance has been invaluable to my growth as a scientist.”